Using Layers in the Icon Editor

Use layers to modify overlapping parts of an icon separately.

You can use the Layers tab of the Icon Editor to configure the name, opacity, visibility, and order of the layers of an icon. Layers also provides a preview of each layer.

The Layers tab is separated into three sections, as follows:

  • Icon Text—Represents all text you enter on the Icon Text tab of the Icon Editor. This layer is always the uppermost layer of the icon. You cannot change the name of this layer.
  • User Layers—Layers based on modifications you make to the icon. Icon Editor creates a new user layer for each glyph you add to the icon and for each non-consecutive use of the editing tools on the right side of the editor. You can change the name of any user layer. The default name for a glyph layer is the filename of the glyph without the file extension. The default name for a layer that corresponds to use of an editing tool is the name of the tool.
  • Icon Template—Represents the icon template you select on the Templates tab. This layer is always the bottommost layer of the icon. You cannot change the name of this layer.

    • To use the Icon Editor to manipulate and modify individual user layers of an icon, complete the following steps.

    1. Open the Icon Editor:
      • Double-click the icon in the upper right corner of the front panel window, block diagram window, or Control Editor.
      • Right-click the icon and select Edit Icon....
    2. Display the Layers tab, if it is not already displayed: select Layers » Show Layers Page.
    3. Do the following, based on your objective.
      OptionDescription
      Select user layers
      • Click the preview on the Layers page.
      • Use the Move tool to select a layer in the Preview area of the Icon Editor.

      You can Ctrl+click or Shift+click to select multiple layers.

      When you select a layer, the rest of the icon becomes dimmed so you can identify which layer you selected.
      Edit a specific user layer
      1. Select the user layer.
      2. Use the editing tools on the right side of the Icon Editor to modify only that layer.
      Manually create a new user layer Select Layers » Create New Layer.
      Change the order of user layers Select one or more user layers and click the Move Up or Move Down buttons.
      Merge multiple layers
      • Merge specific user layers: Select the layers and select Layers » Merge Selected Layers.
      • Merge all user layers: Select Layers » Merge All User Layers.
      • Toggle automatic merging of layers when you close Icon Editor: Select Tools » Icon Editor Properties » Layers » Merge all layers on commit.

      Because LabVIEW saves layer information about an icon with the corresponding VI or library, merging icon layers reduces the size of the VI or library on disk.
      Manipulate layer transparency Click and drag the blue Opacity slider for the layer.
      Hide or display a layer Click the Visible? icon (Eye icon to toggle visibility of an individual layer in the LabVIEW Icon Editor.).
      Delete user layers
      • Delete specific user layers: Select the layer or layers and click Remove Layer or press Delete.
      • Delete all user layers: Select Edit » Clear User Layers.
    4. Click OK.
      LabVIEW updates the icon for the item, but the file with the updated icon is not yet saved.
    5. Save the file.
      LabVIEW saves layer information about an icon with the corresponding VI or library.