Merrimo User Guide › Comic canvas and pages

Select, move, and arrange layers on Mac

In Merrimo on your Mac, you can manage the z-order of artwork, panels, dialogue balloons, and motion graphics, lock background layers, and group elements.

Change layer stacking order (z-index)

Control which items appear in front or behind on your comic page:

1. Select an element on the canvas.
2. Use standard layer arrangement shortcuts from the Arrange menu:
   • ⌘]: Bring Forward (moves the item one step higher).
   • ⌘[: Send Backward (moves the item one step lower).
   • ⌥⌘]: Bring to Front (places the item above all others on the page).
   • ⌥⌘[: Send to Back (places the item behind all others, ideal for background panels).

Browse layers in the sidebar

The Layers tab of the canvas sidebar lists every page and the elements on it, back to front:

• To see one page's layers, click All Pages at the top of the list and choose the page. Choose All Pages again to see them all.
• Click the ⋯ button beside it and choose Expand All or Collapse All to open or close every row. Each story remembers what you leave open.
• The bar at the bottom of the sidebar shows how many pages and layers the list holds.

Lock and organize canvas elements

Prevent accidental movement while working on detailed lettering and drawing:

1. Select any item and toggle its lock state to prevent unintended moves or resizing during drafting.
2. Duplicate any selected panel or balloon with ⌘D.
3. Use alignment snapping to position artwork flush with neighboring margins and panel borders.