# F03 — Layers Panel

> SkinLayer Studio **1.3.x Standalone** UI reference.  
> Practice: EP00–EP12 · Features: **F01–F17** (order 50+).

> Describes the upper-left **Layers** window from screenshots.  
> For overall UI placement, see **#4** in the [UI layout guide](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-layout-overview?lang=en).

---

## Panel at a glance

![Layers panel overview](layers_panel_overview.png)

| Item | Content |
|------|---------|
| Title | **Layers** |
| Count | Right side `N layers` (e.g. 21 layers) |
| Role | Stack weights as **layers** and manage edit order, visibility, and groups |

---

## Columns (L / M / A / Layer)

Header: `L` · `M` · `A` · `Layer`

| Column | Meaning | Description |
|--------|---------|-------------|
| **L** | Cache Lock | When checked, cache-locks that layer (e.g. lock mark on `[Fallback]`) |
| **M** | Modified | Modified indicator |
| **A** | Active / Visible | Layer active · visibility. State shown by check/color |
| **Layer** | Name | Layer · group · separator · system layer name |

Tree arrows (▼) are drawn in the **Layer** column and collapse/expand groups.

---

## Layer types · color cues

| Display | Meaning |
|---------|---------|
| Normal name (white) | Regular work layer (`hand`, `forearm`, `Spine` …) |
| **Blue name + ▼** | **Layer Group** (e.g. `Fingers` → `finger1`…`finger4`) |
| **Yellow `[Export]`** | Export system layer |
| **Gray `[Fallback]`** | Fallback system layer (lock/move may be restricted) |
| **`[Base]`** | Base system layer |
| **Green `[Cache]`** | Cache system layer |
| Blue background row | **Currently selected** layer (e.g. `forearm`) |

> `[Export]` / `[Base]` / `[Cache]` / `[Fallback]` are system layers; delete/move may be restricted compared with normal layers.

---

## Bottom buttons (+ − ▲ ▼ · ⋮)

Toolbar under the panel:

| Button | Action |
|--------|--------|
| **+** | Add new layer |
| **−** | Delete selected layer |
| **▲** | Move up (`Ctrl+Up`) |
| **▼** | Move down (`Ctrl+Down`) |
| **⋮** | Separator options menu |

---

## Separators — ⋮ menu

Use when you want to split the layer list into sections.

![Separator menu](layers_separator_menu.png)

| Menu | Action |
|------|--------|
| **Add Separator Above** | Separator **above** the selection |
| **Add Separator Below** | Separator **below** the selection |
| **Delete Separator** | Delete separator |

> The ⋮ menu lives on the Layers toolbar; when open it may appear near Skin Desk.

---

## Right-click context menu

Right-click a layer to open the edit menu.

![Layers context menu](layers_context_menu.png)

| Menu | Action |
|------|--------|
| **Duplicate Layer** | Duplicate selected layer |
| **Delete Layer** | Delete selected layer |
| **Mirror Layer (mask + inf)** | Mirror mask + influences |
| **Cache to here** | Place cache at this layer position |
| **Create Layer Group** | Create a layer group |
| **Parent to >** | Parent under another group/layer (submenu) |

---

## Recommended workflow

```
1) Click the layer to edit (blue highlight)
2) Edit weights in viewport Paint / Influences
3) Organize with Duplicate / Mirror / Group as needed
4) Adjust blend order with ▲▼ or drag
5) Add Separators with ⋮ for hand · arm · body sections
6) Push results with top Apply to Skin
```

---

## Related docs

| Doc | Contents |
|-----|----------|
| [UI layout guide](/guide/skin-layer-studio/ui-layout-overview?lang=en) | Full screen orientation · zones |
| Practice EP03 Overview | Layer system practice flow |

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*Images: `layers_panel_overview.png` · `layers_separator_menu.png` · `layers_context_menu.png`*  
*Written: 2026-07-26*