Why can't I toggle the (root) layer visability?

Asked by Skip Robison

The (root) layer Eye and Lock are greyed out in the lower left information line but the (root) layer doesn't show on the right hand edge Layer Pop-out and the greyed out icons don't do anything when you click on them. I'm very new at this but I couldn't find much about layer subtleties in the tutorials or online help. I want to be able to turn the root layer image on and off to see the effect of all the outlined objects I have traced with out all the color or complexity of the original image that comprises the (root) layer.

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jazzynico
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jazzynico (jazzynico) said :
#1

Hi,

You can't use the root layer as a normal layer because this is NOT a real layer.

In Inkscape a layer is basically a group (<svg:g>). The only difference with usual groups is that it has a inkscape:groupmode="layer" attribute. Therefore, if you delete all the default layers in your document, it means you delete all that kind of groups, and that you work directly under the svg element, with not layer at all. That's the reason why you can't turn it on or off. It simply doesn't exists.

If you need the ability to turn a layer on and off, you need to add a new one with Layer>Add layer...
Did you erase the default layer intensionally? I'd advise you to always keep a layer.

Regards.

Revision history for this message
Skip Robison (robison3090) said :
#2

Dear Jazzy Nico

Thanks for your quick response.

I didn't delete anything yet at this point.
My original image was from a bit map and I didn't try to make a layer out of
it because it isn't in vector format yet.

My goal is to trace all the objects shown on the original image in
preparation to use them as objects to digitize for my wife as embroidery
designs. I just thought it would be instructive to be able to toggle the
colored objects on and off to see how the traced objects looked during the
process. I had another program (Serif Drawplus X3) that could do that but
unfortunately cannot export files in the compatible format that my
Embroidery software can import. The big advantage Inkscape has for me is
that it can Export in EMF format.

Is there a way to create a toggling layer out of the original bitmap so that
I can actually toggle it on and off? Sort of like copy the whole thing to a
so called Layer #1 before I ever begin to trace anything?

Thankfully yours
Skip Robison

-----Original Message-----
From: <email address hidden> [mailto:<email address hidden>] On Behalf Of
JazzyNico
Sent: Saturday, January 23, 2010 3:42 PM
To: <email address hidden>
Subject: Re: [Question #98445]: Why can't I toggle the (root) layer
visability?

Your question #98445 on Inkscape changed:
https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/98445

    Status: Open => Answered

JazzyNico proposed the following answer:
Hi,

You can't use the root layer as a normal layer because this is NOT a
real layer.

In Inkscape a layer is basically a group (<svg:g>). The only difference
with usual groups is that it has a inkscape:groupmode="layer" attribute.
Therefore, if you delete all the default layers in your document, it
means you delete all that kind of groups, and that you work directly
under the svg element, with not layer at all. That's the reason why you
can't turn it on or off. It simply doesn't exists.

If you need the ability to turn a layer on and off, you need to add a new
one with Layer>Add layer...
Did you erase the default layer intensionally? I'd advise you to always keep
a layer.

Regards.

--
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id=0

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Revision history for this message
jazzynico (jazzynico) said :
#3

Oh, I'm sorry I totally forgot that opening a bitmap directly doesn't create a layer...
Thus you're right, by doing it, you use the root layer, that is to say no layer at all.

Here's what I'd do:
1. Open Inkscape (with a default blank document, which *has* a layer).
2. Use File>Import to import your bitmap in this layer (renamed Bitmap?).
3. Use Layer>Add to create a new layer above the first one (name it Vectors).
4. Select your bitmap and trace it with Path>Trace bitmap.
5. Select the result.
6. Use Layer>Move selection to layer above.

Now your bitmap is in the Bitmap layer, the traced object in the Vectors layer and you can toggle each layer independently.

Regards.

Revision history for this message
Skip Robison (robison3090) said :
#4

Dear JazzyNico

You are quite right. I got brave and tried that very thing in the interim
and it worked by trial and error. What was fooling me was that the lower
layer indicator bar showed a grayed out eyeball and lock for the root layer
and I thought I could do something to make it active.

This is a really great program and I thank you for your help and look
forward to learning more about it all in the very near future.
Sincerely
Skip Robison

-----Original Message-----
From: <email address hidden> [mailto:<email address hidden>] On Behalf Of
JazzyNico
Sent: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 8:41 AM
To: <email address hidden>
Subject: RE: [Question #98445]: Why can't I toggle the (root) layer
visibility?

Your question #98445 on Inkscape changed:
https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/98445

    Status: Open => Answered

JazzyNico proposed the following answer:
Oh, I'm sorry I totally forgot that opening a bitmap directly doesn't create
a layer...
Thus you're right, by doing it, you use the root layer, that is to say no
layer at all.

Here's what I'd do:
1. Open Inkscape (with a default blank document, which *has* a layer).
2. Use File>Import to import your bitmap in this layer (renamed Bitmap?).
3. Use Layer>Add to create a new layer above the first one (name it
Vectors).
4. Select your bitmap and trace it with Path>Trace bitmap.
5. Select the result.
6. Use Layer>Move selection to layer above.

Now your bitmap is in the Bitmap layer, the traced object in the Vectors
layer and you can toggle each layer independently.

Regards.

--
If this answers your question, please go to the following page to let us
know that it is solved:
https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/98445/+confirm?answer_
id=2

If you still need help, you can reply to this email or go to the
following page to enter your feedback:
https://answers.edge.launchpad.net/inkscape/+question/98445

You received this question notification because you are a direct
subscriber of the question.

Revision history for this message
Best jazzynico (jazzynico) said :
#5

Skip,

Some useful links to start learning Inkscape are (among others):
Tavmjong Bah's manual (http://tavmjong.free.fr/INKSCAPE/MANUAL/html/index.html)
Floss Manual pages (http://en.flossmanuals.net/Inkscape)
Inkscape tutorials (http://inkscapetutorials.wordpress.com/)

Don't hesitate to ask again here is you need help again.

Regards.

ps. Please close this bug from the Launchpad page as soon as your question is solved, so that other users now it is. Thanks!

Revision history for this message
Skip Robison (robison3090) said :
#6

Thanks JazzyNico, that solved my question.