HOW TO: Move Characters / Overlays to the Layers

Moving to the layers means something or someone can be in front or behind character or overlay.
You can use as many numbers as you want: -100 to 100 (probably even more)

CHARACTERS:

Commands:
@CHARACTER moves to layer #
@CHARACTER spot % X Y in zone # at layer #

This picture is an example to show how numbers working.

Entering characters (@CHARACTER enters from left to screen right) are always in front of everything (unless you move other characters or overlays to the layers)
If you using walks to spot command make sure to put your character in the layer you want by placing your character offscreen
@CHARACTER spot % X Y AND CHARACTER moves to layer -5 (offscreen)
@CHARACTER walks to spot % X Y in S

OVERLAYS

Commands:
INT. BACKGROUND with OVERLAY at layer #
(when you want your overlay to be already in the scene)
@overlay OVERLAY to layer #
(when you want to move your overlay in the middle of the scene, works for the beginning of the scene as well)

More about overlays and how to combine all the commands here:
A Guide to Using & Animating OVERLAYS

YOU CAN’T LAYER WEATHER EFFECTS but check out this thread
Alternative to RAIN effect’s layering

My EXAMPLE SCENE:
EXT. BUS STOP EVENING - NIGHT with CAR ANGLE SILVER to 1.000 -394 -113 at layer 2
@overlay EFFECT SMOKE create
@overlay EFFECT SMOKE shifts to 0 0
@overlay EFFECT SMOKE scales to 1.000 1.000
@overlay EFFECT SMOKE to layer 3
@overlay EFFECT SMOKE opacity 1 in 0
&BG1 spot 0.767 221 254 in zone 1 at layer -3 AND BG1 faces right AND BG1 is text_phone_neutral_loop
&BGMAN4 spot 1.106 122 -158 in zone 1 at layer -1 AND BGMAN4 faces right AND BGMAN4 is idle
&BGWOMAN4 spot 0.688 107 294 AND BGWOMAN4 moves to layer -4 AND BGWOMAN4 is talk_phone_excited_loop
&BGWOMAN2 spot 1.073 153 80 AND BGWOMAN2 moves to layer -2 AND BGWOMAN2 is think

BAR SCENE

INT. BAR - DAY with BAR at layer 2
@BARTENDER spot 1.150 230 97 in zone 1 at layer -1
@CHARACTER enters from left to screen center AND CHARACTER moves to layer 3


INT. BAR - DAY with BAR at layer 2
@BARTENDER spot 1.150 230 97 in zone 1 at layer -1
&CHARACTER spot 1.280 -104 0 AND CHARACTER moves to layer 3
@CHARACTER walks to spot 1.280 153 0 in 1.5

PNG

BAR OVERLAY

84 Likes

You need to add overlay in the middle of the scene like I did here:
@overlay EFFECT SMOKE create
@overlay EFFECT SMOKE shifts to 0 0
@overlay EFFECT SMOKE scales to 1.000 1.000
@overlay EFFECT SMOKE to layer 3
@overlay EFFECT SMOKE opacity 1 in 0

2 Likes

I’ve looked through this whole thread and have done everything I needed to do. But it’s still showing me that my characters are standing in front of the bar stool overlay?

Using “stands screen position” or “enters from left/right to screen position” puts the character at a default layer. You will need to place them in the scene with the layer using spot direction

@CHARACTER spot % x y in zone # at layer #

Here is guide for spot directing if you need more info on it.

3 Likes


Am I doing something wrong?

You’re in zone 2 while you placed the overlay in zone 3.

2 Likes

Hm… Well I changed the overlay to zone 2 and they’re still showing up in front of the overlay.

Try rereshing the page.

1 Like

It didn’t work.

Move person behind bar to layer -1, bar to layer 1 and person in front to layer 3

2 Likes

Still hasn’t worked, I even refreshed all of my tabs after I did that.

Did you move your overlay to zone 2 like Dara said?

You can post your script.

1 Like

Yes, it still hasn’t worked though.

1 Like

So I just tested your code out. The problem is because the overlay isn’t even in the zone because you had it placed at 320 in zone 2. This placed the overlay offscreen. All you need to do is just put the overlay in zone 1 with no scale or coordinates.

“with SMG.EPISODE PINK BAR STOOLS in zone 1 at layer 3”

3 Likes

Thank you so much!!

You’re welcome! :blush:

1 Like

Hey there,
It’s not showing any errors but doesnt show on phone or Preview

@cut to zone 3
INT.FULL with DESK OFFICE to 1.000 -65 -8 in zone 3 at layer 2
@AMELIA spot 1.432 98 -155

Not working :disappointed_relieved:

What exactly isn’t showing if it isn’t the character do this:
@AMELIA spot 1.432 98 -155 in zone 3

The desk isn’t showing up

If the character isn’t do @AMELIA spot 1.432 98 -155 in zone 3