Background (Bg):

This is the bottom-most element of the scene, to be painted on board, on top

of which all the plastic cell levels are placed (plastic cells have been

superceded these days by scanning the artwork into a computer, eliminating

restrictions on the number of levels that can be laid across the background -

cells would create a bluish tint with more than 5 levels. Also, this allows all

background elements to be painted on boards and transparent areas are matted out

digitally).

Underlay: This is

a cell level depicting a prop or piece of background - separated for the sake of

separate movement or background correction - that works above the background,

but under animation levels.

Overlay/Underlay:

A cell level portraying a prop or background element that works above one

level of animation, but below another.

Overlay: Cell level

portraying a prop or background element that works over all animation in the

scene.

Model for Effects:

When part of the background setting needs to be animating, Layout draws a

reference drawing for the special effects animators to help them match the style

and design of the background.