Chapter 05: Lecture Notes

Major topics:

• Using variables to parameterize the geometry
  
  
• Transformations of individual shapes
  
  
• Use of Layers

In-depth examination of layers:

• Recommendation: Define geometry relative to the origin of the layer!
  (that is, don't worry about where you might later put that on a canvas)
  
  
• "Depth" and layering of items on a layer changes how they appear relative to each other on that layer, but the entire layer is treated as a paper-thin composite if it is then placed on a Canvas (and it is the layer's depth or add-order that affects whether that layer is in front of or behind other objects on the Canvas).
  
  
• You are welcome to continue to make local adjustments to individual components that are on a Layer. For example, if a layer represents a person with a body and two arms, you could still rotate one arm (as opposed to rotating the entire layer).
  
  
• While we tiptoed around this in the chapter, (for fear of blowing your mind) a Layer can also be added to another Layer (which itself can be added to another Layers).  For example, I could make the face a layer, then add that face to make a composite that is an entire person, and then add that person to a layer that has the person and a car, and then add that person+car layer to a scene.