# RenderLayerComponent A component that defines which layers an entity participates in. ``` struct RenderLayerComponent ``` ## Overview Add a [`RenderLayerComponent`](/documentation/RealityKit/RenderLayerComponent) to an entity to control which lights illuminate it and which lights it casts shadows from. A light affects this entity when the entity’s [`layers`](/documentation/RealityKit/RenderLayerComponent/layers) intersect with the light’s layers, for example [`layers`](/documentation/RealityKit/DirectionalLightComponent/layers), [`layers`](/documentation/RealityKit/PointLightComponent/layers), or [`layers`](/documentation/RealityKit/SpotLightComponent/layers). Entities without a [`RenderLayerComponent`](/documentation/RealityKit/RenderLayerComponent) are treated as members of [`defaultLayer`](/documentation/RealityKit/RenderLayer/defaultLayer). ## Topics ### Creating a component [`init(layer:)`](/documentation/RealityKit/RenderLayerComponent/init(layer:)) Creates a layer component with a single layer. [`init(layers:)`](/documentation/RealityKit/RenderLayerComponent/init(layers:)) Creates a layer component with the specified layers. ### Accessing render layers [`layers`](/documentation/RealityKit/RenderLayerComponent/layers) The layers this entity participates in. [`defaultLayer`](/documentation/RealityKit/RenderLayerComponent/defaultLayer) A render layer component that contains only [`defaultLayer`](/documentation/RealityKit/RenderLayer/defaultLayer). --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)