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Layers

Layers let you control which scene objects are visible to which cameras and affected by which lights. Use layers to create selective visibility, organize rendering, and build complex multi-camera setups.

What Are Layers?

Section titled “What Are Layers?”

Every scene object exists on one or more layers. Cameras and lights can be configured to only see or affect objects on specific layers. This creates powerful control over what renders where.

Common uses:

  • Hide UI elements from certain cameras
  • Create picture-in-picture setups
  • Make objects visible only to specific cameras
  • Separate lighting for different scene elements
  • Isolate effects to specific areas

How Layers Work

Section titled “How Layers Work”

Object Layers

Section titled “Object Layers”

Each scene object is assigned to a layer. By default, objects are on the “Default” layer. You can change an object’s layer in the Inspector.

Camera Culling Mask

Section titled “Camera Culling Mask”

Cameras have a Culling Mask that determines which layers they render:

  • Layers in the mask = visible to that camera
  • Layers not in the mask = invisible to that camera

A camera with only “UI” in its culling mask will only render objects on the UI layer.

Light Culling Mask

Section titled “Light Culling Mask”

Lights also have culling masks that determine which layers they illuminate:

  • Layers in the mask = lit by that light
  • Layers not in the mask = not affected by that light

This lets you create lighting that only affects specific objects.

Available Layers

Section titled “Available Layers”
LayerTypical Use
DefaultGeneral scene objects
UIUser interface elements
BackgroundEnvironment and backdrop
EffectsParticles and visual effects
Custom layersYour own organization

The exact available layers depend on your project configuration.

Setting Object Layers

Section titled “Setting Object Layers”
  1. Select a scene object in the Hierarchy
  2. Open the Inspector
  3. Find the Layer dropdown at the top
  4. Select the desired layer

Layer selection dropdown

All child objects can optionally inherit the parent’s layer.

Configuring Camera Culling

Section titled “Configuring Camera Culling”
  1. Select a Camera in your scene
  2. In the Inspector, find Culling Mask
  3. Check the layers this camera should render
  4. Uncheck layers to hide from this camera

Camera culling mask checkboxes

Example: Picture-in-Picture

Section titled “Example: Picture-in-Picture”

Create a two-camera setup where a small camera shows only your avatar:

  1. Put your avatar on a “Streamer” layer
  2. Main camera: Render all layers
  3. PiP camera: Render only “Streamer” layer
  4. The PiP shows just your avatar with no background

Configuring Light Culling

Section titled “Configuring Light Culling”
  1. Select a Light in your scene
  2. In the Inspector, find Culling Mask
  3. Check the layers this light should affect
  4. Uncheck layers to exclude from this light

Example: Separate Character Lighting

Section titled “Example: Separate Character Lighting”

Light your avatar differently from your environment:

  1. Put avatar on “Character” layer
  2. Put environment on “Background” layer
  3. Key light: Only affects “Character” layer
  4. Ambient light: Only affects “Background” layer
  5. Adjust each light independently

Common Layer Setups

Section titled “Common Layer Setups”

Basic Streaming Setup

Section titled “Basic Streaming Setup”
LayerContentsMain CameraOverlay Camera
DefaultScene objects✓✓
UIAlerts, overlays✗✓
BackgroundSkybox, environment✓✗

Multi-Camera Production

Section titled “Multi-Camera Production”
LayerContentsCamera ACamera BCamera C
DefaultShared objects✓✓✓
SetASet A decoration✓✗✗
SetBSet B decoration✗✓✗
StreamerAvatar/webcam✓✓✓

Tips

Section titled “Tips”

🎯 Plan Your Layers: Before building complex scenes, sketch out which objects need to be on which layers.

🎯 Use Descriptive Names: Name custom layers clearly (e.g., “AlertEffects” not “Layer7”).

🎯 Default is Default: Keep most objects on Default unless they need special treatment.

🎯 Test Each Camera: After setting up layers, switch between cameras to verify each sees what it should.

🎯 Lighting Consistency: Remember that objects on excluded layers won’t receive that light - they may appear dark.

🎯 Performance: Layers themselves don’t cost performance. Use them freely for organization.

Troubleshooting

Section titled “Troubleshooting”

Object Not Visible

Section titled “Object Not Visible”
  1. Check the object’s layer assignment
  2. Check the camera’s culling mask includes that layer
  3. Verify the object is enabled
  4. Check the object isn’t behind the camera

Object Not Lit

Section titled “Object Not Lit”
  1. Check the light’s culling mask includes the object’s layer
  2. Verify the light is in range
  3. Check light intensity isn’t zero
  4. Ensure the object’s material receives lighting

Wrong Camera Showing Object

Section titled “Wrong Camera Showing Object”
  1. Review culling masks on all cameras
  2. Make sure the object is on the correct layer
  3. Check camera render order and priorities
Section titled “Related”