When a new document has been created in AVA, it is typical to build up your design by adding layers that hold specific design information. This is done using the Layers Palette which can be opened from the Window Menu.
Go to Window Menu > Layers. Alternatively you can use the keyboard shortcut ⌘⇧L. Adding layers to your design is as easy as clicking a button. These buttons are located at the top of the Layers Palette.
Before you start adding layers to your design it is important to know what each layer type is, and what type of design information they can contain.
RGB Image
An RGB image layer is similar to an artists canvas in the sense that it is opaque and can contain millions of colours. When you open scans into AVA, they usually open as RGB images (but this depends on the settings used when the artwork was scanned. The may open as a CMYK Image). You can copy and paste elements from photos or scans onto this layer type to build a design. You also need an image layer if you plan to build and lay out your design using Partial Images.
CMYK Image
CMYK images are often preferred over RGB images in the packaging industry. When you open some scans into AVA, they may open as CYMK images depending on the settings used when the scan was done. CMYK images are made up from 4 layers, and you can choose to view them as a combined image or as the separated layers using the Overprint Settings . To view it as a combined CMYK image, switch .c.m.y.k as CMYK Image on in these Settings . To view it as CMYK spot layers, switch .c.m.y.k as CMYK Image off.
Solid Layer
These layers are also referred to as 1 bit layers. These layers are used to build flat colour designs as they can only contain 100% and 0% tones, preventing the introduction of unwanted tonal information appearing in the design.
Spot Layer
These layers are also referred to as 8 bit layers and can contain solid and tonal information. They can hold 255 shades of tone and should be used if you want to create a tonal design.
Note: If you want to use other bit depth spot layers such as 2, 4 or 5 bit, you can ^ (control key) click on the layer in the Layers Palette and select the required bit depth from the list which appears. You can also change the depth of layers from the Layer Menu > Change Depth.
Grid Layer
These layers are needed when you are gridding 3D Texture Mapping scenes. You must add one of these layers if you want to use either the Rectangular Grid Tool, Contour Grid Tool or the Perspective Grid Tool. These tools cannot be used on any other layer type.
Vector Layer
You need to use vector layers if you want to design with vectors, which are mathematically defined lines and independent from the resolution of your file. They are perfect for creating very smooth curves and applying text to your design.
Note: When vectors are rendered to pixels, the resolution of your file is used.
Colour Correction Layers
Colour Correction Layers can help you to achieve a better match between your digital prints and your production prints. They can be used in a document to visually adjust and balance the colour to better reflect how the file will look after the finishing processes have been applied, bringing the digital proof much closer to a finished production print. The settings used to create the Colour Correction Layer can then be saved in a Palette, and recalled for other designs at the click of a button.
