Layers
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Layers

Kivio allows complex diagrams to be split into multiple layers. The visibility of layers can be turned on and off. This functionality is useful if you have a basic diagram, for example a floorplan, and need to create several versions of it for different audiences. The information for each audience can be placed in a different layer. Each page of the document has its own set of layers.

The Layer Palette

To adjust the current page's layers select View->Palettes->Show Layers . The layer palette allows layers to be created, deleted and renamed. It can also be used to adjust layer visibility, drawing order and select the current layer.

Kivio has the concept of the currently active layer which is the one affected by any editing actions. By default a page contains only one layer which is the active layer.

Adding Layers

Using the Layers palette you can add new layers by clicking the New Layer button, the first from the left. Layers can be deleted by clicking the second button, Remove Layer. Kivio numbers the layers consecutively, to rename a layer select it in the list and click Rename Layer.

Layer Settings

Layers are drawn in the order they are listed. The drawing occurs from the top down so objects in the layer at the bottom of the list are drawn on top of objects in all the other layers. The order of the list can be changed by selecting a layer and using the Move Layer Up and Move Layer Down buttons to change its position.

Each layer is listed with four small icons next to its name. From left to right they represent:

Visibility (shown as a small eye)

Clicking on the icon will toggle the layer's visibility.

Printable (shown as a small printer)

Toggles if the layer should be printed with the document or not. You might use a non-printing layer to keep notes to yourself, or as a scrapbook to hold images you're not ready to use yet.

Editable (shown as a small pencil)

Toggles if you can edit a layer or not. You might want to mark some layers non-editable while you work on others, to prevent inadvertant changes.

Connectable (shown as a small connector)

You can permit connecting of items that lie on different layers with this icon.

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