---
title: "Composite Layers"
slug: "composite-layers"
updated: 2026-02-26T08:05:36Z
published: 2026-02-26T08:05:36Z
---

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

# Composite Layers

A **Composite Layer** is a special layer type that **flattens all layers below it into a single image**. This flattened image can then have operators (effects) applied to it, allowing you to process multiple layers as if they were one.

Without a Composite Layer, operators can only be applied to individual layers. With a Composite Layer, you can apply effects like blur, color correction, or glow to the combined result of multiple layers at once.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(237).png) → ![](https://cdn.document360.io/94808959-fd66-406c-ab5e-4691ce952a14/Images/Documentation/image(239).png)

---

### How It Works

When a scene renders, layers are processed from bottom to top (Layer 0 first, then Layer 1, etc.). When a Composite Layer is encountered:

1. All layers below the Composite Layer are flattened into a single image
2. The Composite Layer's operators are applied to this flattened image
3. Rendering continues with any layers above the Composite Layer

---

### How to add a Composite Layer

1. Right-click on an existing input to open the **Scene Layer context menu.**
2. Select `Add composite layer`
3. A new **[Composite Layer]** will appear.

---

### When to Use Composite Layers

Composite Layers are useful when you want to:

- **Apply effects to multiple layers at once** – For example, apply a single blur or glow effect to a group of graphics
- **Create a cohesive look** – Apply color grading to everything below a certain point in the layer stack
- **Optimize performance** – In some cases, applying one effect to a flattened image is faster than applying separate effects to many layers
- **Create complex visual effects** – Chain multiple composite layers for multi-stage post-processing
- **Apply selective effects** – Use a mask to control which areas are affected by the operators

---

### Examples

#### Example 1: Blur Background Elements

You have a background video with text overlays, and you want to blur everything behind your main presenter:

```SceneLayers
Layer 0: Background video
        Layer 1: Lower third graphic
        Layer 2: Logo
        Layer 3: [Composite Layer] + Blur operator
        Layer 4: Presenter video (not blurred)
```

Result: The background, lower third, and logo are blurred together, while the presenter remains sharp.

#### Example 2: Color Grade Multiple Layers

Apply consistent color correction to all your background elements:

```SceneLayers
Layer 0: Background image
        Layer 1: Particle effect overlay
        Layer 2: Light leak overlay
        Layer 3: [Composite Layer] + Color Correction operator + Vignette operator
        Layer 4: Main content
```

Result: All background elements share the same color grade and vignette.

#### Example 3: Multi-Stage Processing

Use multiple Composite Layers for complex effects:

```SceneLayers
Layer 0: Video A
        Layer 1: Video B
        Layer 2: [Composite Layer] + Blend/Mix effect
        Layer 3: Graphic overlay
        Layer 4: [Composite Layer] + Final color grade
        Layer 5: Watermark
```

Result: Videos A and B are first composited with a blend effect, then a graphic is added, then everything gets color graded, and finally the watermark appears on top (unaffected by the color grade).

#### Example 4: Selective Blur with Mask

Apply blur only to a specific area of the composition:

```SceneLayers
Layer 0: Background video
        Layer 1: Presenter video
        Layer 2: Circular mask graphic (set to "Apply to next - Additive")
        Layer 3: [Composite Layer] + Blur operator
```

Result: Only the area inside the circular mask is blurred. The rest of the image remains sharp.

---

### Properties

A Composite Layer has the same properties as a regular layer:

- **Visibility**– Show or hide the composite layer
- **Opacity**– Control the transparency of the composited result
- **Transform**– Position, scale, and rotate the composited result
- **Blend Mode** – Control how the composited result blends with layers above
- **Operators** – Add any video operators to process the flattened image

**Tips**

- **Layer order matters** – A Composite Layer only affects layers below it in the stack
- **No input required** – Unlike regular layers, a Composite Layer doesn't need an input source; it uses the flattened image from layers below
- **Background color** – The scene's background color is included in the flattened image
- **Multiple composites** – You can use multiple Composite Layers in a scene; each one flattens everything above the previous Composite Layer (or from the bottom if it's the first one)
- **Mask placement** – For selective effects, place the mask layer directly below the Composite Layer
- **Mask graphics** – Use any image with transparency as a mask; the alpha channel controls the effect area

---

### Limitations

- Audio is not affected by Composite Layers; audio mixing works the same as with regular layers
- A Composite Layer at the bottom of the layer stack (Layer 0) will only contain the scene's background color
- Only one mask layer can be applied to a Composite Layer (the layer directly below it with "Apply to next" mode)