Layer transform
Move and resize 2D displays by dragging directly on the stage.
Layer transform puts a manipulation frame around the selected display so you can arrange it visually instead of typing numbers. The frame reads and writes the same properties as the Controls panel — position X/Y, rotation, size — so both views stay in sync.
Start a transform#
- Select a display in the Layers panel.
- Select Layer transform above the canvas.
- Drag the handles on the stage.
The tool works only for displays that render as flat layers: text, shapes, images, videos, spectra, waveform rings, and sound waves. It stays disabled for scenes, effects, and any display that owns a 3D camera.
Press Esc to leave the mode. Selecting a scene, effect, disabled layer, or
incompatible display also ends it. Selecting another enabled 2D display keeps
the tool on.
Interactions#
| Gesture | Result |
|---|---|
| Drag inside the frame | Moves the layer (updates X and Y) |
| Drag an edge or corner handle | Resizes according to the layer type below |
Handle zones extend slightly past the drawn outline, so grabbing near an edge is forgiving. Cursors show which gesture each zone performs.
What resizing changes per layer#
- Text: any handle scales font size.
- Radial spectrum: any handle scales inner and outer radius together.
- Waveform ring: any handle scales radius, wave amplitude, and line width together.
- Bar spectrum, wave spectrum, and sound wave: edges change one dimension; corners change width and height independently. Vertical bar-spectrum drags also scale the reflection height.
- Image and video: resize while keeping the media's aspect ratio.
- Shape: non-rectangle shapes keep their proportions; rectangles resize freely.
Rotation is part of the same property set — rotated frames pivot correctly while you drag — but there is no rotate handle. Set rotation with the layer's Rotation control.
Edits commit as one change when you release the pointer. Dragging with stage zoom active still moves handles 1:1 with your cursor; the zoom slider only affects how large things appear.
Working with live playback#
The frame follows animated values each rendered frame while you are not dragging, so you can fine-tune placement against running reactors and then let go without losing position.