SUMMARY
This article aims to explain the difference between Layers and Channels in Nuke.
MORE INFORMATION
In the Nuke Viewer you can control the "Layers", "Channels", and "Channel selector" by using the first three Viewer knobs as shown below:
A Layer is a group of "Channels" which are displayed in the Viewer according to the "Channel Selector".
The "Layers" determine which RGB "Channels" are used in the "Channel selector", and the "Channels" determine the alpha channel used in the "Channel selector". This allows comparing a fourth channel to channels one, two and three easily, when the first three channels in a Layer are used in the Channel Selector as R, G, and B.
You should aim at using only four Channels in a Layer, as although Nuke does support more channels per layer, using more is not recommended.
NOTE: Due to a known bug, the knob which controls the "Layers" and the knob which controls the "Channels" are both called channels, as shown below:
To follow the progress of the bug and subscribe to notifications, please use the URL below:
ID 151594 - Channels and Channels are different, but have the same name and tooltip
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