> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://elarislabs.ai/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Layer editor

> Compose multiple images into a single layered layout in Creative Studio — stack, position, and blend assets for collages, product composites, and template-style layouts.

The **layer editor** lets you stack and position multiple images into a single composition without leaving Creative Studio. Think of it as an in-canvas compositor: bring in generated images, uploaded assets, or outputs from other nodes, arrange them spatially, and flatten into one master creative.

## What can you build with the layer editor?

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Product + lifestyle composites" icon="image">
    Layer a product shot over a lifestyle background to create polished ad imagery without a full photoshoot.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Collages" icon="layout-grid">
    Combine multiple generated images into a grid or freeform layout for mood boards, lookbooks, or multi-product ads.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Template-style layouts" icon="copy">
    Position brand elements — logos, text overlays, color blocks — over generated backgrounds to replicate template structures on the fly.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Brand pack master" icon="package">
    Build a layered master composition, then send it to brand pack to resize into every required placement size.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## How do you build a layered composition?

<Steps>
  <Step title="Open the layer editor node">
    Add a Layer editor node from the toolbar. It opens an in-canvas panel with an empty stage.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add images">
    Connect outputs from upstream image nodes or use the upload button to bring in existing assets. Each image becomes a layer in the stack.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Arrange layers">
    Drag layers to reorder the stack (front to back). Move, scale, and position each layer on the stage canvas to achieve the desired composition.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Adjust blend and opacity">
    Set opacity or blend mode per layer for creative effects — overlay a texture, knock out a background, or soften a shadow layer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Flatten and export">
    Flatten the composition into a single image output. Connect this output to an export node, a brand pack node, or any downstream image operation.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Tip>
  Run **Remove background** on product shots before adding them to the layer editor — this gives you a clean cut-out to place over any backdrop without edge artifacts.
</Tip>

## How does layer editor fit into a broader pipeline?

```
[Text to image] ──► [Remove background] ──► [Layer editor] ──► [Brand pack]
[Image upload]  ──► [Layer editor]
```

The layer editor sits naturally between generation/editing nodes and export or sizing nodes. Its output is a standard image that any downstream node can consume.

<Note>
  The layer editor is distinct from [Ad Templates](/docs/ad-templates/overview), which provide structured Magic Layers with predefined zones and constraints. Use the layer editor for freeform compositions and ad templates for structured, repeatable formats.
</Note>

## What's next?

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Image nodes" icon="image" href="/docs/studio/image-nodes">
    Generate assets to bring into the layer editor
  </Card>

  <Card title="Brand pack" icon="package" href="/docs/studio/brand-pack">
    Resize your master composition for every placement
  </Card>

  <Card title="Ad templates" icon="layout-template" href="/docs/ad-templates/overview">
    Structured Magic Layers for repeatable ad formats
  </Card>
</CardGroup>