# Layer Types This page is a reference for every layer type Chromatics 4 provides. Layers live on the [Mappings](/chromatics-4/using-chromatics/mappings.md) tab, and each one can be attached to a base, dynamic, or effect role depending on what it does. If you haven't yet, read [Mappings](/chromatics-4/using-chromatics/mappings.md) first for the big picture of how layers fit together. ## Base Layers The base layer sits under everything else. Only one is active per device at a time. Pick whichever background behaviour fits the mood you want.

Layer	Description
Static	Displays a single solid colour across the entire device. Great as a clean foundation for dynamic layers to sit on top of.
Reactive Weather	Shows a colour (and optionally an animation) that matches the current weather in your zone. Pairs well with the Reactive Weather effect toggle on the Effects tab.
Battle Stance	Changes colour depending on whether your character is in combat.
Job Classes	Changes colour depending on your character's current job or class.
Screen Capture (Beta)	Samples the colours of the Final Fantasy XIV game window and spreads them across your devices - an ambient-lighting style effect that matches what's on screen.
Audio Visualizer (Beta)	Turns your keyboard (or any other grid-capable device) into a spectrum analyser. Reacts to your Windows audio output, so game music and sound effects drive the animation. See below for details.

## Dynamic Layers Dynamic layers sit between the base layer and the effect layer. You can add as many as you like, each covering whichever keys or LEDs you choose.

Layer	Description
Highlight	Lights the layer's selected keys with a highlight colour. Useful for marking a zone of your keyboard - your WASD cluster, for example.
Keybinds	Lights each selected key based on whether the ability bound to it is available, on cooldown, or unassigned. Keyboard devices only.
Enmity Tracker	Shows your current aggro / enmity level on your target. Modes: Interpolate, Fade.
Target HP	Shows your current target's HP as a bar across the selected keys. Modes: Interpolate, Fade.
Target Castbar	Shows your target's cast progress in real time. Modes: Interpolate, Fade.
HP Tracker	Shows your character's HP across the selected keys. Switches to the critical colour below a configurable threshold (default 20%). Modes: Interpolate, Fade.
MP Tracker	Shows your character's MP, CP, or GP depending on your job. Modes: Interpolate, Fade.
Job Gauge A	Your primary job gauge (for example, a tank's aggro stance gauge or a healer's lily gauge). Modes: Interpolate, Fade.
Job Gauge B	A secondary job gauge if the job has one. Modes: Interpolate, Fade.
Job Gauge C	A tertiary job gauge for the jobs that have three. Modes: Interpolate, Fade.
Experience Tracker	Shows your current experience progress towards the next level. Modes: Interpolate, Fade.
Battle Stance	Colours the selected keys based on whether you're in combat.
Castbar	Shows your own cast progress in real time. Modes: Interpolate, Fade.
Job Classes Highlight	Colours the selected keys based on your current job or class.
Reactive Weather Highlight	Colours the selected keys based on the current weather in your zone.

## Effect Layer The effect layer is the top layer of every device. It's used by flash-style effects that need to override everything else for a moment - the Duty Finder Bell, Damage Flash, and so on. You don't assign a function to the effect layer directly; instead you turn the corresponding effects on or off on the [Effects](/chromatics-4/using-chromatics/effects.md) tab. ## Audio Visualizer The Audio Visualizer is a **base layer**, not an effect. To turn it on, open the Mappings tab, set your device's base layer type to **Audio Visualizer (Beta)**, and you're done. It works by listening to whatever is currently playing through your Windows default audio output - so if FFXIV audio goes through that device, the music and sound effects drive the animation. Background music in a dungeon will light up your keyboard rhythmically; a loud boss ability will pulse the display. Colours for the visualizer live in the **Audio Visualizer** category in the [Palette](/chromatics-4/using-chromatics/palettes.md) tab: * **Base** - the dim background colour. * **Low** - bass frequencies. * **Mid** - mid frequencies. * **High** - treble frequencies. {% hint style="info" %} Because the visualizer uses the Windows default output, any audio playing on your PC affects it - not just FFXIV. A YouTube video or Discord call will also move the bars. {% endhint %} ## Screen Capture (Beta) Screen Capture is another base layer. When active, Chromatics samples colours from the FFXIV game window and paints a matching ambient gradient across your devices - a soft, always-on-theme backdrop that responds to what's on screen. Screen Capture only samples the FFXIV window, so other applications won't affect it. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.chromaticsffxiv.com/chromatics-4/using-chromatics/ffxiv-functions.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.