# Layers

## Order of creation

By default, LVGL draws new objects on top of old objects.

For example, assume we add a button to a parent object named button1 and then another button named button2. Then button1 (along with its child object(s)) will be in the background and can be covered by button2 and its children.


![](/misc/layers.png "Creating graphical objects in LVGL")

```c
/*Create a screen*/
lv_obj_t * scr = lv_obj_create(NULL, NULL);
lv_scr_load(scr);          /*Load the screen*/

/*Create 2 buttons*/
lv_obj_t * btn1 = lv_btn_create(scr, NULL);         /*Create a button on the screen*/
lv_btn_set_fit(btn1, true, true);                   /*Enable automatically setting the size according to content*/
lv_obj_set_pos(btn1, 60, 40);              	   /*Set the position of the button*/

lv_obj_t * btn2 = lv_btn_create(scr, btn1);         /*Copy the first button*/
lv_obj_set_pos(btn2, 180, 80);                    /*Set the position of the button*/

/*Add labels to the buttons*/
lv_obj_t * label1 = lv_label_create(btn1, NULL);	/*Create a label on the first button*/
lv_label_set_text(label1, "Button 1");          	/*Set the text of the label*/

lv_obj_t * label2 = lv_label_create(btn2, NULL);  	/*Create a label on the second button*/
lv_label_set_text(label2, "Button 2");            	/*Set the text of the label*/

/*Delete the second label*/
lv_obj_del(label2);
```

## Change order

There are four explicit ways to bring an object to the foreground:
- Use `lv_obj_move_foreground(obj)` to bring an object to the foreground. Similarly, use `lv_obj_move_background(obj)` to move it to the background.
- Use `lv_obj_move_to_index(obj, idx)` to move an object to a given index in the order of children. (0: backgroud, child_num - 1: foreground, <0: count from the top, to move forward (up): `lv_obj_move_to_index(obj, lv_obj_get_index(obj) - 1)`)
- Use `lv_obj_swap(obj1, obj2)` to swap the relative layer position of two objects.
- When `lv_obj_set_parent(obj, new_parent)` is used, `obj` will be on the foreground of the `new_parent`.


## Top and sys layers

LVGL uses two special layers named `layer_top` and `layer_sys`.
Both are visible and common on all screens of a display. **They are not, however, shared among multiple physical displays.** The `layer_top` is always on top of the default screen (`lv_scr_act()`), and `layer_sys` is on top of `layer_top`.

The `layer_top` can be used by the user to create some content visible everywhere. For example, a menu bar, a pop-up, etc. If the `click` attribute is enabled, then `layer_top` will absorb all user clicks and acts as a modal.
```c
lv_obj_add_flag(lv_layer_top(), LV_OBJ_FLAG_CLICKABLE);
```

The `layer_sys` is also used for similar purposes in LVGL. For example, it places the mouse cursor above all layers to be sure it's always visible.