Layers are the building blocks of every Jitter animation. A layer is anything you add to your design, including:
Images
Text
Shapes
Videos
You can add layers using the Toolbar at the top of the editor.
You can also drag and drop files onto the artboard, or copy and paste supported assets directly into Jitter.
All layers are listed in the Layer list on the left. From there, you can select, reorder, rename group, and animate them.
Artboards
Each Jitter file can have multiple artboards or scenes. Layers are grouped in the layer list according to which artboard they live in.
Select the artboard itself from the canvas or layer list to configure your artboard.
Reorder layers
The layer order controls where they appear on the artboard.
Layers at the top of the list appear in front, and layers at the bottom of the list appear behind.
To reorder layers, click and drag a layer above or below another to move its position.
Rename layers
Naming layers helps keep your project organized, especially when working with many elements. To rename a layer, double click the layer name, type the new name, and press enter.
Group layers
Grouping lets you combine multiple layers so they move and animate together. To group layers together:
Hold the Shift key and select multiple layers
Right click the selection and click Group, or press ⌘ G (Mac) or Ctrl G (Windows)
Similarly, you can ungroup layers by selecting Ungroup or using the same shortcuts.
Adjust properties
Properties are the settings that control how a layer looks and moves. When you select a layer, its Design and Animate tabs will appear in the Property panel on the right.
Show or hide layers
Hiding a layer removes it from the canvas without deleting it. Handy when you want to focus on one part of an animation, or park an element you're not ready to use yet.
Hover over the layer in the Layer list
Click the eye 👁️ icon that appears to hide it
Click it again to bring the layer back
To hide or show several layers at once, click and hold the eye icon, then drag down across the other layers and release.
Lock layers
Locking a layer protects it from accidental edits on the canvas. Useful for background elements and anything you've already positioned exactly where you want it.
Hover over the layer in the Layer list
Click the padlock 🔒 icon that appear
Click it again to unlock
To lock or unlock several layers at once, click and hold the padlock icon, then drag down across the other layers and release.
A locked layer can still be selected from the Layer list, and you can still adjust its settings in the Property panel on the right. The lock only blocks editing on the canvas.
Locking a group locks every layer inside it. To unlock a single child layer, unlock the group first.