---
title: "Layouts and parenting"
description: "Arrange layers so they keep their spacing or follow another layer."
canonical: "https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/layers/arranging/"
last_updated: 2026-10-29
---

# Layouts and parenting

Arrange layers so they keep their spacing or follow another layer.

[All layer types](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/layers.md) · [Editing on the stage](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/editing.md)

## Layouts

Select layers and press `⇧Y` (or the rail (the Properties panel in After Effects or Figma)'s **lay out**) to put them in a row or a column, a gap
apart.

- The rail sets the direction, wrap, justify (start, middle, end, between, around, evenly),
  align, and the gap, padding and size, which key and ease. A size of 0 hugs what it holds.
- When a layer in it grows, the others move aside, frame by frame. A layer's own moves don't
  push them: one that bounces, pops or slides in ends in its place.
- On the stage, the gaps show as pink bars and the padding as bands: drag one to change it
  (`⇧`: by tens).
- Drag a layer along the line to reorder it, out of the box to take it out, or onto a layout to
  put it in. Double-click a layer in a layout to select it.

Every player draws a layout as it looks here.

### Other layer containers

A group is a precomp: one layer contains other layers. Use `⌃G` to group a selection and
`⌃⇧G` to ungroup it. Enter a precomp to edit its parts, or select it to transform them together.
See [Going in and out](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/editing.md#going-in-and-out).

A null layer carries a transform without drawing artwork. **Add controller** in the palette
adds a null named **Controls**. You can parent artwork to it or give it named values; see
[Behaviours](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/behaviours.md).

Imported Lotties can also contain solid layers: flat rectangles of colour. Select them to
move, scale, rotate or change opacity as with other layers.

## Parenting

The rail's **Parent** row names the layer this one follows.

- Press its name and drag onto a layer's row in the score (the timeline) to parent it (let go on empty score to
  unparent), or click it for a list. `✕`, and the palette's **Parent to…** and **Unparent**, work
  too.
- The layer stays where it is on screen: its position, rotation and scale are worked out again in
  the parent's space.
- While you hover the row or drag, a line runs from the layer to its parent on the stage.

<a id="make-an-editable-repeat"></a>

## Repeats

`⌃⇧D` (or the palette's **Repeat**) makes a [repeat](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/repeats.md): copies of the layer in a
line, grid, circle, spiral, confetti, at random or along a path, chosen in its rail. The copies
follow the original's drawing and keys. Stagger delays them, and fields add a ramp, random
variation or a wave as another layer passes. **Detach** keeps them as plain copies.

## Layout controls

| Control | Choices or value |
| --- | --- |
| **Direction** | **→ row** or **↓ column**; **wrap** starts new lines when the layers exceed the layout's size |
| **Justify** | **start**, **middle**, **end**, **between**, **around**, **evenly**, along the line |
| **Align** | **start**, **middle**, **end**, across the line |
| **Gap** | Space between layers, in pixels; negative values overlap them |
| **Padding** | Horizontal and vertical padding, in pixels |
| **Size** | Width and height, in pixels; 0 hugs the contents on that axis |
| **Line gap** | Space between wrapped lines, in pixels |

**between** places the first and last layers at the edges. **around** shares space round each
layer; **evenly** uses the same space between layers and at the edges. **Gap**, **Padding**,
**Size** and **Line gap** can key.

To align layers once without a layout, use [Align and Spread](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/editing.md#snapping-and-aligning).
For the difference between grouping, parenting and layouts, see
[Ways to connect layers](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/docs/concepts/connecting-layers.md).

Watch: [Parenting](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/parenting/) and
[Precomps](https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/precomps/).