> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.craftsmanplus.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.craftsmanplus.com/play/layers/adding-a-layer.md). # Adding a Layer Add scenes, images, text, and every other layer type to your project, and choose between original and optimized assets. Everything in a playable is a layer inside a scene. You can add layers from the **Add Layer** menu, the Asset Library, or by dropping files straight onto the editor. *** ### The Add Layer Menu Click the **+** button at the top of the Layers panel to open the **Add Layer** menu. Each item has a one-key hotkey, shown in the menu, so you can add layers without opening it. | Layer | Hotkey | What it adds | | ------------------------------------------- | ------ | -------------------------------------------------- | | [**Scene**](/play/layers/scenes.md) | **S** | A new scene at the end of your project | | [**Image**](/play/layers/images.md) | **I** | Images from the Asset Library | | [**Text**](/play/layers/text.md) | **T** | A text layer, ready to edit | | [**Video**](/play/layers/videos.md) | **V** | Videos from the Asset Library | | [**Sequence**](/play/layers/sequences.md) | **Q** | An image sequence built from the frames you choose | | [**Shape**](/play/layers/shapes.md) | **P** | A vector shape | | [**Hotspot**](/play/layers/hotspots.md) | **H** | An invisible tap area | | [**Group**](/play/layers/groups.md) | **G** | An empty group to hold other layers | | [**Game**](/play/layers/game-mechanics.md) | **A** | A game from the Game Mechanic Library | | [**Component**](/play/layers/components.md) | **C** | A component from the component library | | [**Code**](/play/layers/code.md) | **O** | A Code Layer for custom features | **Import...** at the bottom of the menu brings in a Photoshop file, with each artboard as a new scene. See [Photoshop Import](/play/general/photoshop-import.md). New layers are added to the current scene, above the selected layer, and centered on the artboard. They're selected right away so you can start editing. {% hint style="info" %} Some layer types aren't available everywhere. The [Global scene](/play/layers/global-layers.md) and the inside of Code Layers and components only allow certain layer types, a scene can hold one game and up to four videos, and Animated Banners don't include Shapes, Hotspots, Games, Components, or Code. Unavailable items are greyed out or hidden. {% endhint %} *** ### Other Ways to Add Layers * **From the Asset Library.** Click **Asset Library** in the top toolbar, select one or more assets, and click **Add Assets**. Each asset becomes a layer of the matching type: images become Image layers, videos become Video layers, shapes become Shape layers, and fonts become Text layers in that font. * **Drop files onto the editor.** Drag files from your computer anywhere onto the editor. They're uploaded to your Asset Library, then added as layers when you confirm. Drop a single Photoshop file to import it. * **Paste.** Copy layers with **Cmd + C** (Ctrl + C on Windows) and paste them with **Cmd + V**, in the same project or a different one. * **Ask INTELLIGENCE.** Describe what you want, and INTELLIGENCE can add and set up layers for you. See [Feature Generation](/intelligence/specialties/feature-generation.md) and [Asset Generation](/intelligence/specialties/asset-generation.md). {% hint style="info" %} Audio isn't a layer. Add sound with [Background Music](/play/settings/background-music.md), the [Trigger Audio](/play/general/actions/trigger-audio.md) action, or a Code Layer. {% endhint %} *** ### Original or Optimized When you upload an image, video, sequence, or audio file, CRAFTSMAN+ keeps your **Original** and, where it can make the file meaningfully smaller, creates an **Optimized** version. See [Sanitization & Optimization](/asset-library/uploading-assets/sanitization-and-optimization.md). When you select assets to add as layers, choose which version to use in the sidebar of the Asset Library: * **Optimized** uses the smaller, web-ready file. This is the default, and the best choice for keeping your playable's file size down. * **Original** uses your full-quality file, exactly as uploaded. Each option shows the file's format, dimensions, and size, so you can compare them. Your choice is remembered for next time. * **No Optimized Version** means the original is already as small as it can usefully be. * **Re-optimize** (the refresh icon) creates the optimized version again for the selected assets. To switch a layer to the other version later, select the layer and click **Replace** (or press **R**). The Asset Library opens with the asset selected, so you can pick the other version. {% hint style="info" %} Images and videos larger than 4096 x 4096 pixels can only be added as their Optimized version. {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation by asking a question. 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