Layer types

Four types of layers are supported.

Image layers

Image layers must have a src= command which specifies the image to be used as the layer. A separate image may be specified with mask= to be used as layer mask or the image may have already an alpha channel. The size of image layers is always derived from the image, but the image is often scaled to fit using the size= command. A clip path may be applied with clipPath=.

Text layers

Must have a text= or textPs= command which provides the text content in form of a rich-text-formatted (RTF) text fragment. Text layers can be self-sizing to their content, or may be given explicit sizes, (for example, if text is to be wrapped to a specific width, or if the text must be constrained within a specific area). textPs= support flowing of text into arbitrary shapes defined with textFlowPath= and onto arbitrary paths defined with textPath=. textPs= also supports rendering text into the text box or specified shape at arbitrary angles ( textAngle=).

Solid color layers

Solid color layers are often used for layer 0 in templates, so that the size of the composite image is fixed and independent of any image content. Solid color layers require a color= attribute, and either size= or mask=, and support most other commands and attributes to modify appearance. Solid color layers may be given arbitrary shapes with clipPath=.

Effect layers

Photoshop-style layer effects, such as drop shadows and glow effects, are implemented by IS using special sub-layers which can be attached to image, text, and solid color layers. These effect layers inherit the parent layer mask and position from the parent layer, and are limited in functionality.