Abstract: A hit-test may be performed to determine whether a user action detected via a user interface associated with an application intersects a given object of the application. The application may include one or more special content layers (SCLs). A decision may be made at each SCL regarding enablement of a direct manipulation of an object through the application in response to the user action. An SCL processing module of the application may identify a hit in response to detecting an intersection of the user action and one or more non-transparent pixels of at least one SCL during a front to back processing of the SCLs, where the pixels correspond to the object. The application may then determine whether a direct manipulation of an object through the application is enabled or not enabled by the SCL, and thus whether the direct manipulation should be automatically initiated or disabled, respectively.