---
name: "Eden Editor: Layer"
type: topic
source: https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Eden_Editor:_Layer
revid: 352005
updated: 2024-02-01T23:24:02Z
---

# Eden Editor: Layer

A layer is like a folder that can contain multiple entities of type [object](../topics/Eden_Editor~3A_Layer.md#object), [group](../topics/Eden_Editor~3A_Layer.md#group), [trigger](../topics/Eden_Editor~3A_Layer.md#trigger), [waypoint](../topics/Eden_Editor~3A_Layer.md#waypoint), [system](../topics/Eden_Editor~3A_Layer.md#system) or [marker](../topics/Eden_Editor~3A_Layer.md#marker).
They can also contain sub-layers. Layers can be useful in various ways such as:

- Tidying up the editor view while editing by hiding the layers and their entities
- Grouping certain entities together thematically
- Preventing a group of entities from being accidentally edited by disabling transformation
- Dynamically creating the entities within a layer during the scenario

### Creating a layer

There multiple ways to create layers:

1. Select entities in the 3D or map view or the entity list (left panel) and press the *New Layer* button in the entity list
1. Use the [add3DENLayer](../commands/add3DENLayer.md) scripting command

> [!NOTE]
> Pressing the *New Layer* button without having entities selected will create an empty layer

### Deleting a layer

Layers can be deleted by either selecting them in the entity list and pressing the <kbd>Del</kbd> key or using the *Delete* button in the entity list.

> [!IMPORTANT]
> Deleting a layer will also delete all sub-layers and entities within it!

### Dynamically create layer entities

One advantage of layers is that they can be used to hide or show all entities within the layer dynamically via scripting during a scenario.

1. Create a layer, name it *NewAO* and add some objects and markers to it.
1. Select all objects in that layer and uncheck *Show Model* and *Enable Simulation* in the attributes. In case of markers, set the *Alpha* value to `0`
1. Preview the scenario
1. All objects and markers will now be invisible
1. Open the [Arma 3: Debug Console](../topics/Debug_Console.md) and execute the following code. If you use want to activate the layer via a trigger, make sure to check the *Server only* checkbox

   ```sqf
   getMissionLayerEntities "NewAO" params ["_objects", "_markers"]; // The command returns an array with two arrays. First array contains all objects, second array contains all makers
   _markers apply { _x setMarkerAlpha 1; }; // Show all markers
   _objects apply { _x enableSimulationGlobal true; _x hideObjectGlobal false; }; // Show all entities and enable their simulation
   ```

### Attributes

| Info |  |  | [Development](../topics/Eden_Editor~3A_Setting_Attributes.md) |  |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Category | Description | Property | Type |
| **Name** | Init | Name of the layer set in Eden Editor | `Name` | [String](../topics/String.md) |
| **Enable Transformation** | Init | If set to [false](../commands/false.md) (unchecked), the layer cannot be modified inside Eden Editor. | `Transformation` | [Boolean](../topics/Boolean.md) |
| **Enable Visibility** | Init | If set to [false](../commands/false.md) (unchecked), the layer will not be shown inside Eden Editor. This **will not** affect visibility during the scenario! | `Visibility` | [Boolean](../topics/Boolean.md) |

<sub>Source: [BI Community Wiki — Eden Editor: Layer](https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Eden_Editor:_Layer) (revision 352005).</sub>