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From Layering

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Definitions/meanings of "layering" (based on sources in pint as well as on the web)

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prayas

[web]

• It is one of the ways in which plants propogate. It describes the process of stems growing their own adventitious roots while they are still attached to the parent plant. (source: Wikipedia)
• It describes the way dual-layer DVDs store data (source: google.com)
• It is a popular hair styling technique (source: Wikipedia)
• Behavior that involves inappropriately changing or layering clothing on top of one another. (source: www.alz.org/Resources/Glossary.asp)
• Shading or coloring between contour lines in a painting (source: library.thinkquest.org/5764/glossary.htm)
• Adding multiple layers of superimposed video. (source: www.mediacollege.com/video/editing/terminology/)

[books]

• layering includes ways of organizing information into related groups and then presenting only certain groups at a time (by William Lidell, Universal Principles of Design)
• (Layering is) visually stratifying various aspects of data (by Edward Barett)
• Layering and seperation of information are powerful tools to address detail and complexity (by Edward Barett)

sargam gupta

[web]

EMOTIONAL LAYERING: Layering can be applied to people as well. In that sense,it is called "emotional layering". Here personalities of people can be compared to different things that have layers too, like fruits and so on. For example,

• Some people are like a raw egg. They have a hard outer exterior, but once their shell is cracked or broken by a stranger, a workmate, a friend, a family member, or by a romantic partner, they start to fall apart.
• Some people are like a jelly. They are soft, squishy and easily devoured. They have no emotional barriers and they are easily manipulated and used by others.
• Some people are like an onion. Onions thrive emotionally because they have emotional layers and they know who can be allowed access to each layer … when, and under what circumstances.

Onions understand their layers and how much of their emotional selves they can reveal and share with others, without the risk of deep emotional hurt. This protects them, while allowing them to reveal and share their emotional layers in safety as they choose.

[library]

DICTIONARIES: A lot of information in dictionaries is condensed and put forward by creating layers and categorizing. For example all the words in a dictionary are categorized alphabetically and each of these words are individually designated layers of information including meaning, pronunciation, sentences, synonyms, parts of speech and so on. Hence the dictionary makes a lot of information available to the reader through simple layering techniques that helps the reader to navigate it easily and not get confused. The problem of being able to differentiate between the different layers is solve by intelligent use of multiple font-sizes, font-type, making text bold/italic or sometimes by using co some tools that help break the monotony and create efficient navigating through the dictionary.Therefore with the help of layers, and efficiant condensation in dictionaries a lot of information is communicated in an organized fashion

MAGAZINES

Magazines create hierarchy through which they facilitate the navigation of a page effectively. The reader can, without going into too much detail see what he or she wants to read. Layering of magazine pages help create a visual interest in it and hence makes it possible to convey a lot of information effectively. The layouts of magazines hence provide easier navigation. These layers include,

• Heading
• sub-heading
• body
• header-footer
• quotes
• columns
• tables
• conclusion

And so on. These layers help filter information and help present it in an organized yet interesting manner.

Priyanka C

(WEB) LAYERING OF INFORMATION IN LAYOUTS: Information layering is encountered in daily walks of life. Layering techniques are used to direct our attention towards specific things and to keep it away from others. The basic need to be addressed when it comes to layering is what the user wants to know and not what the researcher wants to tell the user. The information that the user wants to used simultaneously should be analysed and placed on the same information level. Layering can exist in different structural levels. Within a topic, merely following the elementary principles of good technical documentation itself results in a meaningfully layered structure. Layering can also be applied in navigation through information.

(LIBRARY) LAYERING IN COOKING: Layering is used in the process of cooking of food. Different actions are performed sequentially for the food to taste the way it does. The ingredients are layered one after the other to give the food the particular flavour. Each ingredient is used separately for a separate purpose. For example: While adding seasoning to food one can add further depth to a dish by seasoning in stages or layering throughout the cooking process. Layering works specially well in longer cooking stovetop recipes like soups or braised meats. While cooking a pot of chili- After cooking and stirring for a few minutes the first layer of spices is added. the second spice layer goes in with the liquids. Final layer brings a certain brightness to the dish.

LAYERING IN OIL PAINTING: Application of layers of colours in layers in order to achieve the desired effects of light and shade and to provide other realistic effects has been used from the very beginning. Starting from the first layer of primer on the white canvas which is scraped off with a razor to achieve a smooth texture seven layers of paint are applied in order to complete the painting. The first oil layer is called IMPRIMATURA. It is a transparent coat(middle tone of largest, lightest object in painting). The second, third and fourth layer is called PODMALYOVOK. It is the process of creating intermediate layers and includes shadows. The fifth and sixth layer is called TEL’NII PODMALYOVOK in which flesh tones and main life colours are used. The seventh and last layer is called LESSIROVKA in which details of textures, thickly applied highlights, bright reflections and signature is added. Each layer is ideally dried for 7 weeks before the next is applied.

Akshataa Vishwanath

[web]

INFORMATION GRAPHICS OR INFOGRAPHICS: Visual representations of information, data and knowledge are known as information graphics or infographics. In signs, journalism, maps technical writing and education, and other areas where information needs to be explained, infographics are used. The concept of layering is used here, in the way the data is presented. Information is presented in layers. The data, information and knowledge that a graphics shows is the basic material of the information graphic. Layering the data helps in creating a sense of hierarchy, where important information can be treated in a way, drawing emphasis towards it. There are many normal conventions such as scale and labels, the knowledge of which can help in the distribution and arrangement of these individual components. This helps in the understanding of how layering plays an important role in this field.

[library]

FASHION(CLOTHING): Layering plays an important role where designing of clothes and fashion is concerned. Clothing is usually based around a system of upto three layers.

1) Inner layer or base layer: This layer is to insulate the wearer and draw away sweat. 2) Mid layer or insulating layer: This layer includes looser fitting garments worn to trap air and aid in retaining body heat. 3) Outer layer or outer shell: The function of this layer is to keep wind out while remaining breatheable.

Thus, in clothing, it is important for one to understand the concept of various layers and how they affect the design of a particular garment.

PACKAGING: Protection of products for distribution, storage, sale and use is done by effective packaging. It may be of different types, that is, transport package, distribution package, consumer package, and so on. Packaging can also be defined as the process of design, evaluation, and production of packages. Categorizing of packages may be done by layers. Layering plays an important role in the packaging process.

 It is convenient to sort packages by function or layer, for example, "Primary", "Secondary", etc.

1) Primary packaging is the first layer, which first envelops the product and holds it. This usually is the smallest unit of distribution or use and is the package which is in direct contact with the contacts.

2) Secondary packaging is the second layer, which is outside the primary packaging. It is used to group primary packages together.

3) Tertiary packaging is the third layer which is used for bulk handling and shipping.

Thus it can be seen that the concept of layers applies directly to the process of packaging.

Saakshita

[Web]

Layering in Designing

• Layering can be creation of something more than what is required or literal. It could be hidden in terms of content.
• Organizing information in related groups and then presenting or making them available in an order of preference.
• To arrange complex stuff in simple understandable information.
• It could be 2D or 3D representation.
• 2D layering is basically when one layer can be seen one at a time. This is a kind of layering used to see how information moves from one place to another. In other words, to switch contents eg: layouts, flow-charts etc.
• 3D layering is basically when multiple layers can be viewed at a time. They can use opaque as well as transparent tools. Hierarchy is shown in elaborate information without switching content eg: Maps, Photographs, architecture etc.

Layering in poetry

• Layering in poetry is basically in the meaning of the poems. Some poems can seem to create meanings and emotions that seem well beyond the words on the page thereby creating a different layer.
• Poems are generally or majority of the times considered being short and therefore poets have a great challenge to compress a great deal of meaning and feeling into them. This creates a different layer of meaning in the poem which is not visible to everybody and anybody.
• Layers in poems are basically levels of meaning and depth. They are generally hidden. As you read things again and again things become clearer and so layers of meanings open up.
• These 'layers of meaning' can be created in a text by the use of literary devices. The most common literary device that creates layers of meaning is called irony. There are several other ways to create layers of meaning in a text, for example, through the use of the literary devices of metaphor and symbol.

[Books]

Layering in Technology

• In context of users of Computers
• There are casual users and there are hackers. While the casual users use computers to their convenience the hackers try and go deeper into the functionalities of the technology (digging into the layer).
• The whole technology of computers is layered. They are distinct layers which are understood by individuals who use it, irrespective of being aware of the other layers that exist.
• In this context layers are basically ways of organizing a system to make it convenient, usable and easier to work on.
• For instance, a person who is working on the web doesn’t need to know how the information travels on the net. The layer “what the user uses” is sufficient.
• The same layering concept is used in other technology or almost all technologies.

People understand the layers they are exposed to unless and until one wants to study deeper layers out of curiosity.

Italic text===Devashish Guruji===

Layering in Newspaper Publishing: Everyday tonnes of articles find their way into publishing houses where editors sift through them arranging them various orders of importance and relevance. People are not in the habit of spending too much time with a newspaper hence the editors have to design their layouts in a way in which the readers find it easy to skim through the articles of their choice. Layering is of utmost importance in such cases. Publishing houses not only one but various posts within the post of an editor: copy editors, department editors, photo and image editors, reader’s editor, editorial page editors etc. it is in a very great way a challenge of multitasking considering the fact that they have only until the next morning to complete their jobs. Hence not only is the content layered but so are the jobs here. There is a certain hierarchy in posts where one reports to the other and a certain system is followed ensuring the proper filtration of information that is finally published.

Layering in the Human Body: Layering is clearly seen in the human body. It is comprised of very many intricate systems which perform their own functions in relation to each other such as the nervous system, reproductive systems, digestive system etc. Most systems are dependent on each other. Each layer has its own function which ensures the smooth running of other systems. Even in its basic construction we see layers right from the skeletal system to your outermost layer, the skin. Taking the digestive system, the positioning of the various organs involved in the process fulfills a definite function.

Layering in Stories: Layering may be a very subconscious activity in this case. The author while creating a story may chose to branch into further sub stories that inadvertently affect the main plot. The characters also add to the complexity of the plots wherein their specific idiosyncrasies could lead the story to digress further. The author also tends to find links and relations in and around the main plot that he/she could chose to make relevant and thus help the story progress. The different layers that appear within a story could add greatly to the interest and appeal of it.

Pushpi Bagchi

From an article on-line:

In an article called "Layering information enhances readability..." by Daryl Moen, it says that there are two kinds of audience- "scanners" and "readers". Lyaering information 'correctly' is supposed to entice scanners to read!When information is layered, it helps a person decide whether the information is worth reading. By dividing an article or essay into sections such as an 'introduction' or 'about', then going on to the main 'body', and then the conclusion gives an article or essay layers. The first layer (about/introduction), is meant to attract the reader and so on. In general; "Layering helps separating the grain from the chaff."

Dictionary descriptions:

The definition of layering or to 'lay' something (accoring to the Chambers dictionary), that fits into the context of information,is "to locate or impose" or "to plan or design". According to the Cambridge learner's dictionary, to 'lay' something is "to put something into its correct position."

Protocol layering:

Protocol layering is a common technique to simplify networking designs by dividing them into functional layers, and assigning protocols to perform each layer's task. For example, it is common to separate the functions of data delivery and connection management into separate layers, and therefore separate protocols. Thus, one protocol is designed to perform data delivery, and another protocol, layered above the first, performs connection management. The data delivery protocol is fairly simple and knows nothing of connection management. The connection management protocol is also fairly simple, since it doesn't need to concern itself with data delivery. Protocol layering produces simple protocols, each with a few well-defined tasks. These protocols can then be assembled into a useful whole. Individual protocols can also be removed or replaced as needed for particular applications. The most important layered protocol designs are the Internet's original DoD model, and the OSI Seven Layer Model. The modern Internet represents a fusion of both models.

Tanvi Talwar

Layered hair is a hair style that gives the illusion of length and volume using long hair for the illusion of length and short hair for volume, this way it is easy to style and manage. Hair is arranged into layers, with the top layers (those that grow nearer the crown) cut shorter than the layers beneath. This allows the tips of the top layers to blend apparently seamlessly with layers beneath.More recent versions of the hairstyle involve making clear distinction between the various layers so that they do not blend seamlessly. In some cases, hair colouring can be applied to certain layers and not others to achieve a distinctive effect. The layered hair cut is done by lifting the hair perpendicular to the head and cutting it straight across. Also quick layered cut can be achieved by putting the hair in a high ponytail and cutting it.There is more than one type of 'layered' cut, two main ones being the uniform layer and long graduation. With the uniform layer, the hair is cut at 90 degrees to the head. With long graduation, the hair is cut at 180 degrees, creating more visible layers.

Layering Drinks It's hard to imagine a more impressive presentation than the layered drinks known as pousse cafe, creating cocktails that are part art and part science. The science part first. A layered, or floated drink is possible because of one simple fact – different liquids have different densities, and because of this, some liquids are heavier than others. A pousse cafe takes advantage of this by using heavier liqueurs on the bottom, and using progressively lighter liquids as the layers are built, to create a colorful striped effect. The art comes in actually building the layers. After pouring in the first layer, insert the bowl of the spoon into the glass as far as it will go without being in the liquid, with the rounded side of the spoon facing up. Adjust the tip of the spoon so that it’s very near, or even touching the side of the glass. Very gently pour the next layer over the bowl of the spoon, so that it floats on top of the previous layer. The trick is to pour in a steady but very slow stream to prevent the layers from mixing.

Animation Layering CAT's layering system is the most powerful animation system in the world today. No other system allows you to work with such ease and flexibilty as CAT. Animation layering was not a feature added on top of an existing architecture, rather, it was a fundamental part of CAT from version 1.0. With CAT's layering system, whenever a new layer is added, that new layer applies to every bone in the CATRig. We do not have such a thing as an 'arm' layer or 'hand' layer. When you add a new layer, every bone gets that new layer, and you can choose the parts of the CATRig that you do not wish to use the new layer. This process is called Feathered Weighting Absolute Layers overwrite the previous layer's animation with a new animation. This means that 2 Abs layers after each other mean that only the 2nd layer has any effect. Abs layers are intended to provide the basic animation layer that you will work on 90% of the time.