The layer hierarchy panel shows all objects/annotations. Spotlight features four types of layers – object, annotation, background, and audio:
- There is an object layer for each rectangle or ellipse object.
- Annotations are text or time overlays you can add to any segment of the video.
- The Background layer is present in every video. It includes everything that hasn’t been identified as an object to be redacted.
- The Audio layer is present if the video includes audio. An audio waveform is shown below the Audio layer to highlight the sections of the video where audio is present.
Every layer has a specific color. Objects layers are blue, annotation layers are yellow, the background layer is brown, and the audio layer color will depend on the redaction type.
There are several operations that can be performed with layers:
- Add Keyframe to the Layer - select the 'diamond' icon on the left side of the layer, in order to add a new keyframe to the layer
- Drag & Drop Layer Reordering - hover the mouse over the layer name area and you will notice a hand tool. Drag the layer and move it to another position.
- Rename Layer - double-click on the layer name in the Layers panel or select the Edit button next to the layer name in the tools properties panel in order to rename the layer.
- Hide Layer - click the 'eye' icon on the right side of the layer in order to hide or show the layer. Hidden layers won't appear either in the live preview or in the exported video product.
- Delete Layer - click the 'trash' icon on the right side of the layer (next to Hide/Show layer button) in order to delete the layer. The audio and background layer cannot be deleted but this action will delete all the keyframes from these layers.
TIPS: Spotlight will not display an audio layer if the workstation does not have an active sound output device