<!--
{
  "availability" : [
    "iOS: 4.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "iPadOS: 4.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "macCatalyst: 13.1.0 - 26.0.0",
    "macOS: 10.7.0 - 26.0.0",
    "tvOS: 9.0.0 - 26.0.0",
    "visionOS: 1.0.0 - 26.0.0"
  ],
  "documentType" : "symbol",
  "framework" : "AVFoundation",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/AVFoundation/AVMutableVideoCompositionInstruction/layerInstructions",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "Instance Property",
  "symbol" : {
    "kind" : "Instance Property",
    "modules" : [
      "AVFoundation"
    ],
    "preciseIdentifier" : "c:objc(cs)AVMutableVideoCompositionInstruction(py)layerInstructions"
  },
  "title" : "layerInstructions"
}
-->

# layerInstructions

Instructions that specify how to layer and compose video frames from source tracks.

```
var layerInstructions: [AVVideoCompositionLayerInstruction] { get set }
```

## Discussion

Tracks are layered in the composition according to the top-to-bottom order of the `layerInstructions` array; the track with trackID of the first instruction in the array will be layered on top, with the track with the trackID of the second instruction immediately underneath, and so on.

If the property value is `nil`, the output is a fill of the background color.

---

Copyright &copy; 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)