Creating Groups
Any layer that contains two or more graphical elements constitutes a group of elements. You can group the elements on different layers onto a single layer, or ungroup a layer into its constituent elements.
To combine two layers into a group:
- Position the layers consecutively in the layers pad.
- Select the upper layer of the intended group.
- Click the
Group button.
The editor combines the selected layer and the layer immediately below it into a single layer. The layer appears in the position of the upper constituent layer, and shows all graphics that were on either layer. If the layers differed in color, the color of the upper layer predominates.
You can use Group to add the elements on additional layers to a group at any time. Grouping does not preserve the individual identities of the grouped layers: it produces a flat collection of graphical elements, indistinguishable from a single layer on which all constituent elements were drawn without using Group.
To decompose a group:
- Select the group.
- Click the
Ungroup button.
The editor creates a separate layer for every graphical element in the group that is not a point, and another (if needed) that contains all points (if any). Each layer has the color and region of the decomposed group. The topmost layer is in the position previously occupied by the group; the other layers are strung out below it.
To ungroup a layer that contains points only:
- Select the group.
- Click the
Ungroup button.
The editor notes that the layer contains only points, and ungroups each point onto a separate layer. Each layer has the color and region of the ungrouped layer.
Copyright © 1997 Gensym Corporation, Inc.