# Layers ## Layers can be found on the left-side panel:

Let’s dive deep into their purpose and their use. *** ## What is a Layer? * Layers batch and contain elements (geometries, blocks, text, etc), so that they can all be selected, locked and unlocked, shown or hidden. * They help you organize your work, and ultimately save you precious time when working on large and complex drawings. * Elements contained on a layer are listed underneath each given layer.

A layer has 3 options: * `Lock/Unlock`: locking a layer prevents users from editing its content. * `Show/Hide`: hiding a layer makes its content disappear from the canvas. * Right-clicking on a layer and choosing the `Select Children` command will select all elements batched in a layer. Working with layers: * The active layer is the layer onto which you are currently drawing (it has a small blue tick next to it). It is accessible in the bottom right corner and can be changed there. * Layers describe the display order on the canvas: elements from the layers at the top of the list will be displayed above the elements from the layers at the bottom of the list. * A layer has a name, that can be changed in the `Properties` panel when the layer is selected, or by right-clicking the layer itself.

*** ## Let’s Look at Layers in Action Let’s review the different layer functions in action... ### Order Of Layers

Layers allow you to determine the order of things on your canvas. ### Nesting Layers

Layers can be nested into one another. ### Assigning an object from one layer to another

You can always change the layer an object is assigned to. ### Groups

So, items on the same layer are all connected to their layer definition. Another way of linking items or geometries to one another is by grouping them. * Select the items you wish to group, and then click on the `Group` button. * To edit a group, click on it and then on the `Edit` button. * Note that grouped elements can still be assigned to different layers. That's it! Simple, isn't it? 🙌