Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for generating a composite image from both two-dimensional (2D) image layers and three-dimensional (3D) image layers. In one embodiment, the image layers are arranged in a sequence in which a top 3D image layer is separated from a bottom 3D image layer by a 2D image layer and the image layers are rendered according to the sequence. In another embodiment, at least one of the image layers is associated with an adjustment layer, and rendering the composite image includes determining whether each current image layer has an associated adjustment layer with a dimensionality different from that of the current image layer, and if it does, applying the adjustment layer accordingly. In another embodiment, at least one of the image layers is associated with a track matte.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for generating a composite image. Electronic data representing image layers to be combined in a composite image is provided. At least one of the image layers has two-dimensional content. At least one of the image layers has three-dimensional content. The layers are arranged in a composition sequence list. The image layers are grouped into metalayers including image layers with content of a common dimensionality. The metalayers are arranged in a metalayer sequence. A metalayer is selected according to the metalayer sequence and the image layers in the selected metalayer are processed to generate a raster representation of the image layers in the selected metalayer. The raster representation is composited into an image buffer and the process is repeated until the raster representation of each of the metalayers have been composited into the image buffer to form a composite image.