Vector Layers

Vector layers are the most common layer in Moho projects. Artwork that you create in Moho is always contained in a vector layer. Tools are available for drawing and editing curves, setting up fills and outlines, and connecting your drawings to bones.

The tools available for working with vector layers essentially make up a 2D drawing program. You can draw lines and curves, re-shape existing curves, and manipulate objects in various ways. There are a couple ways that Moho differs from other drawing programs. First, everything you draw in Moho is a set of points and curves. In many programs, when you draw a circle, you get a circle object, or you may type some text to create a text object. In Moho, once you've created the circle or the text, there's no difference between them whatsoever - they're both collections of curves. One happens to be in the shape of a circle, and the other in the shape of some text.

There are advantages in treating all objects the same: first, you never have to worry about what type of object you're working with - the answer is always the same: a set of points and curves. The other advantage is that any operation you can perform on hand-drawn curves can be performed on text, or a circle, or whatever.

The other feature of Moho's drawing mode that is different from many other drawing programs is the concept of "welding". In Moho, two points can be "welded" together into a single point. In fact, any number of points can be welded together. When points are welded together, moving one of them moves them all, along with any curves that pass through that point. This is particularly useful when you start to animate objects. For example, if you want to move a character's nose, then welding it to the face might not be a bad idea. That way, however you distort the nose or the face, they'll always stay connected.