Alembic: add support for reading override layers

Override layers are a standard feature of Alembic, where archives can override
data from other archives, provided that the hierarchies match.

This is useful for modifying a UV map, updating an animation, or even creating
some sort of LOD system where low resolution meshes are swapped by high resolution
versions.

It is possible to add UV maps and vertex colors using this system, however, they
will only appear in the spreadsheet editor when viewing evaluated data, as the UV
map and Vertex color UI only show data present on the original mesh.

Implementation wise, this adds a `CacheFileLayer` data structure to the `CacheFile`
DNA, as well as some operators and UI to present and manage the layers. For both
the Alembic importer and the Cycles procedural, the main change is creating an
archive from a list of filepaths, instead of a single one.

After importing the base file through the regular import operator, layers can be added
to or removed from the `CacheFile` via the UI list under the `Override Layers` panel
located in the Mesh Sequence Cache modifier. Layers can also be moved around or
hidden.

See differential page for tests files and demos.

Reviewed by: brecht, sybren

Differential Revision: https://developer.blender.org/D13603

23 files changed, 712 insertions, 11 deletions

diff --git a/intern/cycles/blender/object.cpp b/intern/cycles/blender/object.cpp
index 86314d3b196..65a04a39660 100644
--- a/intern/cycles/blender/object.cpp
+++ b/intern/cycles/blender/object.cpp
@@ -529,6 +529,17 @@ void BlenderSync::sync_procedural(BL::Object &b_ob,
   string absolute_path = blender_absolute_path(b_data, b_ob, b_mesh_cache.cache_file().filepath());
   procedural->set_filepath(ustring(absolute_path));
 
+  array<ustring> layers;
+  for (BL::CacheFileLayer &layer : cache_file.layers) {
+    if (layer.hide_layer()) {
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    absolute_path = blender_absolute_path(b_data, b_ob, layer.filepath());
+    layers.push_back_slow(ustring(absolute_path));
+  }
+  procedural->set_layers(layers);
+
   procedural->set_scale(cache_file.scale());
 
   procedural->set_use_prefetch(cache_file.use_prefetch());
diff --git a/intern/cycles/scene/alembic.cpp b/intern/cycles/scene/alembic.cpp
index 71fa1863b8b..7780b13eecb 100644
--- a/intern/cycles/scene/alembic.cpp
+++ b/intern/cycles/scene/alembic.cpp
@@ -742,6 +742,7 @@ NODE_DEFINE(AlembicProcedural)
   NodeType *type = NodeType::add("alembic", create);
 
   SOCKET_STRING(filepath, "Filename", ustring());
+  SOCKET_STRING_ARRAY(layers, "Layers", array<ustring>());
   SOCKET_FLOAT(frame, "Frame", 1.0f);
   SOCKET_FLOAT(start_frame, "Start Frame", 1.0f);
   SOCKET_FLOAT(end_frame, "End Frame", 1.0f);
@@ -839,14 +840,26 @@ void AlembicProcedural::generate(Scene *scene, Progress &progress)
     return;
   }
 
-  if (!archive.valid()) {
+  if (!archive.valid() || filepath_is_modified() || layers_is_modified()) {
     Alembic::AbcCoreFactory::IFactory factory;
     factory.setPolicy(Alembic::Abc::ErrorHandler::kQuietNoopPolicy);
-    archive = factory.getArchive(filepath.c_str());
+
+    std::vector<std::string> filenames;
+    filenames.push_back(filepath.c_str());
+
+    for (const ustring &layer : layers) {
+      filenames.push_back(layer.c_str());
+    }
+
+    /* We need to reverse the order as overriding archives should come first. */
+    std::reverse(filenames.begin(), filenames.end());
+
+    archive = factory.getArchive(filenames);
 
     if (!archive.valid()) {
       /* avoid potential infinite update loops in viewport synchronization */
       filepath.clear();
+      layers.clear();
       clear_modified();
       return;
     }
diff --git a/intern/cycles/scene/alembic.h b/intern/cycles/scene/alembic.h
index 3a4d37da3ff..6068ea3ef03 100644
--- a/intern/cycles/scene/alembic.h
+++ b/intern/cycles/scene/alembic.h
@@ -479,6 +479,10 @@ class AlembicProcedural : public Procedural {
   /* The file path to the Alembic archive */
   NODE_SOCKET_API(ustring, filepath)
 
+  /* Layers for the Alembic archive. Layers are in the order in which they override data, with the
+   * latter elements overriding the former ones. */
+  NODE_SOCKET_API_ARRAY(array<ustring>, layers)
+
   /* The current frame to render. */
   NODE_SOCKET_API(float, frame)
 
diff --git a/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/properties_constraint.py b/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/properties_constraint.py
index 570a437c213..fcac0af7e86 100644
--- a/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/properties_constraint.py
+++ b/release/scripts/startup/bl_ui/properties_constraint.py
@@ -1161,6 +1161,11 @@ class ConstraintButtonsSubPanel:
             context, self.layout.template_cache_file_time_settings
         )
 
+    def draw_transform_cache_layers(self, context):
+        self.draw_transform_cache_subpanel(
+            context, self.layout.template_cache_file_layers
+        )
+
     def draw_transform_cache_subpanel(self, context, template_func):
         con = self.get_constraint(context)
         if con.cache_file is None:
@@ -1574,6 +1579,22 @@ class BONE_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_velocity(BoneConstraintPanel, Constraint
         self.draw_transform_cache_velocity(context)
 
 
+class OBJECT_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_layers(ObjectConstraintPanel, ConstraintButtonsSubPanel, Panel):
+    bl_parent_id = "OBJECT_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint"
+    bl_label = "Override Layers"
+
+    def draw(self, context):
+        self.draw_transform_cache_layers(context)
+
+
+class BONE_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_layers(BoneConstraintPanel, ConstraintButtonsSubPanel, Panel):
+    bl_parent_id = "BONE_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint"
+    bl_label = "Override Layers"
+
+    def draw(self, context):
+        self.draw_transform_cache_layers(context)
+
+
 class OBJECT_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_procedural(ObjectConstraintPanel, ConstraintButtonsSubPanel, Panel):
     bl_parent_id = "OBJECT_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint"
     bl_label = "Render Procedural"
@@ -1695,6 +1716,7 @@ classes = (
     OBJECT_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_time,
     OBJECT_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_procedural,
     OBJECT_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_velocity,
+    OBJECT_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_layers,
     OBJECT_PT_bPythonConstraint,
     OBJECT_PT_bArmatureConstraint,
     OBJECT_PT_bArmatureConstraint_bones,
@@ -1735,6 +1757,7 @@ classes = (
     BONE_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_time,
     BONE_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_procedural,
     BONE_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_velocity,
+    BONE_PT_bTransformCacheConstraint_layers,
     BONE_PT_bPythonConstraint,
     BONE_PT_bArmatureConstraint,
     BONE_PT_bArmatureConstraint_bones,
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_cachefile.h b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_cachefile.h
index 0ab814c2d94..c6821d88d2a 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_cachefile.h
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/BKE_cachefile.h
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ extern "C" {
 #endif
 
 struct CacheFile;
+struct CacheFileLayer;
 struct CacheReader;
 struct Depsgraph;
 struct Main;
@@ -69,6 +70,15 @@ bool BKE_cache_file_uses_render_procedural(const struct CacheFile *cache_file,
                                            struct Scene *scene,
                                            int dag_eval_mode);
 
+/* Add a layer to the cache_file. Return NULL if the filename is already that of an existing layer
+ * or if the number of layers exceeds the maximum allowed layer count. */
+struct CacheFileLayer *BKE_cachefile_add_layer(struct CacheFile *cache_file,
+                                               const char filename[1024]);
+
+struct CacheFileLayer *BKE_cachefile_get_active_layer(struct CacheFile *cache_file);
+
+void BKE_cachefile_remove_layer(struct CacheFile *cache_file, struct CacheFileLayer *layer);
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/cachefile.c b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/cachefile.c
index 8833f3eabe9..75df2e98fcd 100644
--- a/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/cachefile.c
+++ b/source/blender/blenkernel/intern/cachefile.c
@@ -54,6 +54,8 @@
 
 #include "BLO_read_write.h"
 
+#include "MEM_guardedalloc.h"
+
 #ifdef WITH_ALEMBIC
 #  include "ABC_alembic.h"
 #endif
@@ -86,6 +88,7 @@ static void cache_file_copy_data(Main *UNUSED(bmain),
   cache_file_dst->handle = NULL;
   cache_file_dst->handle_readers = NULL;
   BLI_duplicatelist(&cache_file_dst->object_paths, &cache_file_src->object_paths);
+  BLI_duplicatelist(&cache_file_dst->layers, &cache_file_src->layers);
 }
 
 static void cache_file_free_data(ID *id)
@@ -93,6 +96,7 @@ static void cache_file_free_data(ID *id)
   CacheFile *cache_file = (CacheFile *)id;
   cachefile_handle_free(cache_file);
   BLI_freelistN(&cache_file->object_paths);
+  BLI_freelistN(&cache_file->layers);
 }
 
 static void cache_file_foreach_path(ID *id, BPathForeachPathData *bpath_data)
@@ -117,6 +121,11 @@ static void cache_file_blend_write(BlendWriter *writer, ID *id, const void *id_a
   if (cache_file->adt) {
     BKE_animdata_blend_write(writer, cache_file->adt);
   }
+
+  /* write layers */
+  LISTBASE_FOREACH (CacheFileLayer *, layer, &cache_file->layers) {
+    BLO_write_struct(writer, CacheFileLayer, layer);
+  }
 }
 
 static void cache_file_blend_read_data(BlendDataReader *reader, ID *id)
@@ -130,6 +139,9 @@ static void cache_file_blend_read_data(BlendDataReader *reader, ID *id)
   /* relink animdata */
   BLO_read_data_address(reader, &cache_file->adt);
   BKE_animdata_blend_read_data(reader, cache_file->adt);
+
+  /* relink layers */
+  BLO_read_list(reader, &cache_file->layers);
 }
 
 IDTypeInfo IDType_ID_CF = {
@@ -364,7 +376,8 @@ void BKE_cachefile_eval(Main *bmain, Depsgraph *depsgraph, CacheFile *cache_file
 #ifdef WITH_ALEMBIC
   if (BLI_path_extension_check_glob(filepath, "*abc")) {
     cache_file->type = CACHEFILE_TYPE_ALEMBIC;
-    cache_file->handle = ABC_create_handle(bmain, filepath, &cache_file->object_paths);
+    cache_file->handle = ABC_create_handle(
+        bmain, filepath, cache_file->layers.first, &cache_file->object_paths);
     BLI_strncpy(cache_file->handle_filepath, filepath, FILE_MAX);
   }
 #endif
@@ -435,3 +448,35 @@ bool BKE_cache_file_uses_render_procedural(const CacheFile *cache_file,
   const bool is_final_render = (eEvaluationMode)dag_eval_mode == DAG_EVAL_RENDER;
   return cache_file->use_render_procedural && !is_final_render;
 }
+
+CacheFileLayer *BKE_cachefile_add_layer(CacheFile *cache_file, const char filename[1024])
+{
+  for (CacheFileLayer *layer = cache_file->layers.first; layer; layer = layer->next) {
+    if (STREQ(layer->filepath, filename)) {
+      return NULL;
+    }
+  }
+
+  const int num_layers = BLI_listbase_count(&cache_file->layers);
+
+  CacheFileLayer *layer = MEM_callocN(sizeof(CacheFileLayer), "CacheFileLayer");
+  BLI_strncpy(layer->filepath, filename, sizeof(layer->filepath));
+
+  BLI_addtail(&cache_file->layers, layer);
+
+  cache_file->active_layer = (char)(num_layers + 1);
+
+  return layer;
+}
+
+CacheFileLayer *BKE_cachefile_get_active_layer(CacheFile *cache_file)
+{
+  return BLI_findlink(&cache_file->layers, cache_file->active_layer - 1);
+}
+
+void BKE_cachefile_remove_layer(CacheFile *cache_file, CacheFileLayer *layer)
+{
+  cache_file->active_layer = 0;
+  BLI_remlink(&cache_file->layers, layer);
+  MEM_freeN(layer);
+}
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h b/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h
index 9ce07cd2e07..3796fa51499 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h
+++ b/source/blender/editors/include/UI_interface.h
@@ -2426,6 +2426,13 @@ void uiTemplateCacheFileProcedural(uiLayout *layout,
  */
 void uiTemplateCacheFileTimeSettings(uiLayout *layout, struct PointerRNA *fileptr);
 
+/**
+ * Draw the override layers related properties of the CacheFile.
+ */
+void uiTemplateCacheFileLayers(uiLayout *layout,
+                               const struct bContext *C,
+                               struct PointerRNA *fileptr);
+
 /* Default UIList class name, keep in sync with its declaration in bl_ui/__init__.py */
 #define UI_UL_DEFAULT_CLASS_NAME "UI_UL_list"
 enum uiTemplateListFlags {
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_intern.h b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_intern.h
index 923f741e3ae..2d1138b46a7 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_intern.h
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_intern.h
@@ -1528,6 +1528,9 @@ uiTreeViewHandle *ui_block_view_find_matching_in_old_block(const uiBlock *new_bl
 uiButTreeRow *ui_block_view_find_treerow_in_old_block(const uiBlock *new_block,
                                                       const uiTreeViewItemHandle *new_item_handle);
 
+/* interface_templates.c */
+struct uiListType *UI_UL_cache_file_layers(void);
+
 #ifdef __cplusplus
 }
 #endif
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_template_list.cc b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_template_list.cc
index 13e539b5095..817599605a9 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_template_list.cc
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_template_list.cc
@@ -1322,6 +1322,7 @@ PointerRNA *UI_list_custom_drag_operator_set(uiList *ui_list,
 void ED_uilisttypes_ui()
 {
   WM_uilisttype_add(UI_UL_asset_view());
+  WM_uilisttype_add(UI_UL_cache_file_layers());
 }
 
 /** \} */
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_templates.c b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_templates.c
index 00e9a75848a..8330f8c0db7 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_templates.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/interface/interface_templates.c
@@ -6474,6 +6474,67 @@ void uiTemplateCacheFileTimeSettings(uiLayout *layout, PointerRNA *fileptr)
   uiLayoutSetActive(row, !RNA_boolean_get(fileptr, "is_sequence"));
 }
 
+static void cache_file_layer_item(uiList *UNUSED(ui_list),
+                                  bContext *UNUSED(C),
+                                  uiLayout *layout,
+                                  PointerRNA *UNUSED(dataptr),
+                                  PointerRNA *itemptr,
+                                  int UNUSED(icon),
+                                  PointerRNA *UNUSED(active_dataptr),
+                                  const char *UNUSED(active_propname),
+                                  int UNUSED(index),
+                                  int UNUSED(flt_flag))
+{
+  uiLayout *row = uiLayoutRow(layout, true);
+  uiItemR(row, itemptr, "hide_layer", UI_ITEM_R_NO_BG, "", ICON_NONE);
+  uiItemR(row, itemptr, "filepath", UI_ITEM_R_NO_BG, "", ICON_NONE);
+}
+
+uiListType *UI_UL_cache_file_layers()
+{
+  uiListType *list_type = (uiListType *)MEM_callocN(sizeof(*list_type), __func__);
+
+  BLI_strncpy(list_type->idname, "UI_UL_cache_file_layers", sizeof(list_type->idname));
+  list_type->draw_item = cache_file_layer_item;
+
+  return list_type;
+}
+
+void uiTemplateCacheFileLayers(uiLayout *layout, const bContext *C, PointerRNA *fileptr)
+{
+  /* Ensure that the context has a CacheFile as this may not be set inside of modifiers panels. */
+  uiLayoutSetContextPointer(layout, "edit_cachefile", fileptr);
+
+  uiLayout *row = uiLayoutRow(layout, false);
+  uiLayout *col = uiLayoutColumn(row, true);
+
+  uiTemplateList(col,
+                 (bContext *)C,
+                 "UI_UL_cache_file_layers",
+                 "cache_file_layers",
+                 fileptr,
+                 "layers",
+                 fileptr,
+                 "active_index",
+                 "",
+                 1,
+                 5,
+                 UILST_LAYOUT_DEFAULT,
+                 1,
+                 UI_TEMPLATE_LIST_FLAG_NONE);
+
+  col = uiLayoutColumn(row, true);
+  uiItemO(col, "", ICON_ADD, "cachefile.layer_add");
+  uiItemO(col, "", ICON_REMOVE, "cachefile.layer_remove");
+
+  CacheFile *file = fileptr->data;
+  if (BLI_listbase_count(&file->layers) > 1) {
+    uiItemS_ex(col, 1.0f);
+    uiItemO(col, "", ICON_TRIA_UP, "cachefile.layer_move");
+    uiItemO(col, "", ICON_TRIA_DOWN, "cachefile.layer_move");
+  }
+}
+
 bool uiTemplateCacheFilePointer(PointerRNA *ptr, const char *propname, PointerRNA *r_file_ptr)
 {
   PropertyRNA *prop = RNA_struct_find_property(ptr, propname);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/io/io_cache.c b/source/blender/editors/io/io_cache.c
index bf20c1f6438..4f71a804986 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/io/io_cache.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/io/io_cache.c
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@
 #include "DNA_cachefile_types.h"
 #include "DNA_space_types.h"
 
+#include "BLI_listbase.h"
 #include "BLI_path_util.h"
 #include "BLI_string.h"
 
@@ -36,6 +37,7 @@
 #include "BKE_report.h"
 
 #include "RNA_access.h"
+#include "RNA_define.h"
 
 #include "DEG_depsgraph.h"
 
@@ -46,6 +48,12 @@
 
 #include "io_cache.h"
 
+static void reload_cachefile(bContext *C, CacheFile *cache_file)
+{
+  Depsgraph *depsgraph = CTX_data_ensure_evaluated_depsgraph(C);
+  BKE_cachefile_reload(depsgraph, cache_file);
+}
+
 static void cachefile_init(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
 {
   PropertyPointerRNA *pprop;
@@ -146,8 +154,7 @@ static int cachefile_reload_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *UNUSED(op))
     return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
   }
 
-  Depsgraph *depsgraph = CTX_data_ensure_evaluated_depsgraph(C);
-  BKE_cachefile_reload(depsgraph, cache_file);
+  reload_cachefile(C, cache_file);
 
   return OPERATOR_FINISHED;
 }
@@ -164,3 +171,160 @@ void CACHEFILE_OT_reload(wmOperatorType *ot)
   /* flags */
   ot->flag = OPTYPE_REGISTER | OPTYPE_UNDO;
 }
+
+/* ***************************** Add Layer Operator **************************** */
+
+static int cachefile_layer_open_invoke(bContext *C, wmOperator *op, const wmEvent *event)
+{
+  if (!RNA_struct_property_is_set(op->ptr, "filepath")) {
+    char filepath[FILE_MAX];
+    Main *bmain = CTX_data_main(C);
+
+    BLI_strncpy(filepath, BKE_main_blendfile_path(bmain), sizeof(filepath));
+    BLI_path_extension_replace(filepath, sizeof(filepath), ".abc");
+    RNA_string_set(op->ptr, "filepath", filepath);
+  }
+
+  /* There is no more CacheFile set when returning from the file selector, so store it here. */
+  op->customdata = CTX_data_edit_cachefile(C);
+
+  WM_event_add_fileselect(C, op);
+
+  return OPERATOR_RUNNING_MODAL;
+
+  UNUSED_VARS(event);
+}
+
+static int cachefile_layer_add_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
+{
+  if (!RNA_struct_property_is_set(op->ptr, "filepath")) {
+    BKE_report(op->reports, RPT_ERROR, "No filename given");
+    return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
+  }
+
+  CacheFile *cache_file = op->customdata;
+
+  if (!cache_file) {
+    return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
+  }
+
+  char filename[FILE_MAX];
+  RNA_string_get(op->ptr, "filepath", filename);
+
+  CacheFileLayer *layer = BKE_cachefile_add_layer(cache_file, filename);
+
+  if (!layer) {
+    WM_report(RPT_ERROR, "Could not add a layer to the cache file");
+    return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
+  }
+
+  reload_cachefile(C, cache_file);
+  WM_main_add_notifier(NC_OBJECT | ND_DRAW, NULL);
+  return OPERATOR_FINISHED;
+}
+
+void CACHEFILE_OT_layer_add(wmOperatorType *ot)
+{
+  ot->name = "Add layer";
+  ot->description = "Add an override layer to the archive";
+  ot->idname = "CACHEFILE_OT_layer_add";
+
+  /* api callbacks */
+  ot->invoke = cachefile_layer_open_invoke;
+  ot->exec = cachefile_layer_add_exec;
+
+  WM_operator_properties_filesel(ot,
+                                 FILE_TYPE_ALEMBIC | FILE_TYPE_FOLDER,
+                                 FILE_BLENDER,
+                                 FILE_OPENFILE,
+                                 WM_FILESEL_FILEPATH | WM_FILESEL_RELPATH,
+                                 FILE_DEFAULTDISPLAY,
+                                 FILE_SORT_DEFAULT);
+}
+
+/* ***************************** Remove Layer Operator **************************** */
+
+static int cachefile_layer_remove_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *UNUSED(op))
+{
+  CacheFile *cache_file = CTX_data_edit_cachefile(C);
+
+  if (!cache_file) {
+    return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
+  }
+
+  CacheFileLayer *layer = BKE_cachefile_get_active_layer(cache_file);
+  BKE_cachefile_remove_layer(cache_file, layer);
+
+  reload_cachefile(C, cache_file);
+  WM_main_add_notifier(NC_OBJECT | ND_DRAW, NULL);
+  return OPERATOR_FINISHED;
+}
+
+void CACHEFILE_OT_layer_remove(wmOperatorType *ot)
+{
+  ot->name = "Add layer";
+  ot->description = "Remove an override layer to the archive";
+  ot->idname = "CACHEFILE_OT_layer_remove";
+
+  /* api callbacks */
+  ot->exec = cachefile_layer_remove_exec;
+
+  /* flags */
+  ot->flag = OPTYPE_REGISTER | OPTYPE_UNDO;
+}
+
+/* ***************************** Move Layer Operator **************************** */
+
+static int cachefile_layer_move_exec(bContext *C, wmOperator *op)
+{
+  CacheFile *cache_file = CTX_data_edit_cachefile(C);
+
+  if (!cache_file) {
+    return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
+  }
+
+  CacheFileLayer *layer = BKE_cachefile_get_active_layer(cache_file);
+
+  if (!layer) {
+    return OPERATOR_CANCELLED;
+  }
+
+  const int dir = RNA_enum_get(op->ptr, "direction");
+
+  if (BLI_listbase_link_move(&cache_file->layers, layer, dir)) {
+    cache_file->active_layer = BLI_findindex(&cache_file->layers, layer) + 1;
+    /* Only reload if something moved, might be expensive. */
+    reload_cachefile(C, cache_file);
+    WM_main_add_notifier(NC_OBJECT | ND_DRAW, NULL);
+  }
+
+  return OPERATOR_FINISHED;
+}
+
+void CACHEFILE_OT_layer_move(wmOperatorType *ot)
+{
+  static const EnumPropertyItem layer_slot_move[] = {
+      {-1, "UP", 0, "Up", ""},
+      {1, "DOWN", 0, "Down", ""},
+      {0, NULL, 0, NULL, NULL},
+  };
+
+  ot->name = "Move layer";
+  ot->description =
+      "Move layer in the list, layers further down the list will overwrite data from the layers "
+      "higher up";
+  ot->idname = "CACHEFILE_OT_layer_move";
+
+  /* api callbacks */
+  ot->exec = cachefile_layer_move_exec;
+
+  /* flags */
+  ot->flag = OPTYPE_REGISTER | OPTYPE_UNDO;
+
+  RNA_def_enum(ot->srna,
+               "direction",
+               layer_slot_move,
+               0,
+               "Direction",
+               "Direction to move the active vertex group towards");
+}
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/io/io_cache.h b/source/blender/editors/io/io_cache.h
index be6e31842af..297e065434f 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/io/io_cache.h
+++ b/source/blender/editors/io/io_cache.h
@@ -27,3 +27,7 @@ struct wmOperatorType;
 
 void CACHEFILE_OT_open(struct wmOperatorType *ot);
 void CACHEFILE_OT_reload(struct wmOperatorType *ot);
+
+void CACHEFILE_OT_layer_add(struct wmOperatorType *ot);
+void CACHEFILE_OT_layer_remove(struct wmOperatorType *ot);
+void CACHEFILE_OT_layer_move(struct wmOperatorType *ot);
diff --git a/source/blender/editors/io/io_ops.c b/source/blender/editors/io/io_ops.c
index 5dff0b69c2a..d9bbd7d8692 100644
--- a/source/blender/editors/io/io_ops.c
+++ b/source/blender/editors/io/io_ops.c
@@ -69,5 +69,10 @@ void ED_operatortypes_io(void)
 
   WM_operatortype_append(CACHEFILE_OT_open);
   WM_operatortype_append(CACHEFILE_OT_reload);
+
+  WM_operatortype_append(CACHEFILE_OT_layer_add);
+  WM_operatortype_append(CACHEFILE_OT_layer_remove);
+  WM_operatortype_append(CACHEFILE_OT_layer_move);
+
   WM_operatortype_append(WM_OT_obj_export);
 }
diff --git a/source/blender/io/alembic/ABC_alembic.h b/source/blender/io/alembic/ABC_alembic.h
index c1f3add377b..18b0c91b67c 100644
--- a/source/blender/io/alembic/ABC_alembic.h
+++ b/source/blender/io/alembic/ABC_alembic.h
@@ -26,6 +26,7 @@ extern "C" {
 #endif
 
 struct CacheArchiveHandle;
+struct CacheFileLayer;
 struct CacheReader;
 struct ListBase;
 struct Main;
@@ -102,6 +103,7 @@ bool ABC_import(struct bContext *C,
 
 struct CacheArchiveHandle *ABC_create_handle(struct Main *bmain,
                                              const char *filename,
+                                             const struct CacheFileLayer *layers,
                                              struct ListBase *object_paths);
 
 void ABC_free_handle(struct CacheArchiveHandle *handle);
diff --git a/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/abc_reader_archive.cc b/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/abc_reader_archive.cc
index 4951dc0e035..94def041285 100644
--- a/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/abc_reader_archive.cc
+++ b/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/abc_reader_archive.cc
@@ -23,6 +23,8 @@
 
 #include "abc_reader_archive.h"
 
+#include "Alembic/AbcCoreLayer/Read.h"
+
 #include "BKE_main.h"
 
 #include "BLI_path_util.h"
@@ -76,6 +78,46 @@ static IArchive open_archive(const std::string &filename,
   return IArchive();
 }
 
+ArchiveReader *ArchiveReader::get(struct Main *bmain, const std::vector<const char *> &filenames)
+{
+  std::vector<ArchiveReader *> readers;
+
+  for (const char *filename : filenames) {
+    auto reader = new ArchiveReader(bmain, filename);
+
+    if (!reader->valid()) {
+      delete reader;
+      continue;
+    }
+
+    readers.push_back(reader);
+  }
+
+  if (readers.size() == 0) {
+    return nullptr;
+  }
+
+  if (readers.size() == 1) {
+    return readers[0];
+  }
+
+  return new ArchiveReader(readers);
+}
+
+ArchiveReader::ArchiveReader(const std::vector<ArchiveReader *> &readers) : m_readers(readers)
+{
+  Alembic::AbcCoreLayer::ArchiveReaderPtrs archives;
+
+  for (auto &reader : readers) {
+    archives.push_back(reader->m_archive.getPtr());
+  }
+
+  Alembic::AbcCoreLayer::ReadArchive layer;
+  Alembic::AbcCoreAbstract::ArchiveReaderPtr arPtr = layer(archives);
+
+  m_archive = IArchive(arPtr, kWrapExisting, ErrorHandler::kThrowPolicy);
+}
+
 ArchiveReader::ArchiveReader(struct Main *bmain, const char *filename)
 {
   char abs_filename[FILE_MAX];
@@ -96,6 +138,13 @@ ArchiveReader::ArchiveReader(struct Main *bmain, const char *filename)
   m_archive = open_archive(abs_filename, m_streams);
 }
 
+ArchiveReader::~ArchiveReader()
+{
+  for (ArchiveReader *reader : m_readers) {
+    delete reader;
+  }
+}
+
 bool ArchiveReader::valid() const
 {
   return m_archive.valid();
diff --git a/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/abc_reader_archive.h b/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/abc_reader_archive.h
index 67000194aa1..937e3a190cf 100644
--- a/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/abc_reader_archive.h
+++ b/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/abc_reader_archive.h
@@ -41,9 +41,17 @@ class ArchiveReader {
   std::ifstream m_infile;
   std::vector<std::istream *> m_streams;
 
- public:
+  std::vector<ArchiveReader *> m_readers;
+
+  ArchiveReader(const std::vector<ArchiveReader *> &readers);
+
   ArchiveReader(struct Main *bmain, const char *filename);
 
+ public:
+  static ArchiveReader *get(struct Main *bmain, const std::vector<const char *> &filenames);
+
+  ~ArchiveReader();
+
   bool valid() const;
 
   Alembic::Abc::IObject getTop();
diff --git a/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/alembic_capi.cc b/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/alembic_capi.cc
index d7b176eea50..58fc4dd599d 100644
--- a/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/alembic_capi.cc
+++ b/source/blender/io/alembic/intern/alembic_capi.cc
@@ -159,11 +159,25 @@ static bool gather_objects_paths(const IObject &object, ListBase *object_paths)
 
 CacheArchiveHandle *ABC_create_handle(struct Main *bmain,
                                       const char *filename,
+                                      const CacheFileLayer *layers,
                                       ListBase *object_paths)
 {
-  ArchiveReader *archive = new ArchiveReader(bmain, filename);
+  std::vector<const char *> filenames;
+  filenames.push_back(filename);
 
-  if (!archive->valid()) {
+  while (layers) {
+    if ((layers->flag & CACHEFILE_LAYER_HIDDEN) == 0) {
+      filenames.push_back(layers->filepath);
+    }
+    layers = layers->next;
+  }
+
+  /* We need to reverse the order as overriding archives should come first. */
+  std::reverse(filenames.begin(), filenames.end());
+
+  ArchiveReader *archive = ArchiveReader::get(bmain, filenames);
+
+  if (!archive || !archive->valid()) {
     delete archive;
     return nullptr;
   }
@@ -447,9 +461,9 @@ static void import_startjob(void *user_data, short *stop, short *do_update, floa
 
   WM_set_locked_interface(data->wm, true);
 
-  ArchiveReader *archive = new ArchiveReader(data->bmain, data->filename);
+  ArchiveReader *archive = ArchiveReader::get(data->bmain, {data->filename});
 
-  if (!archive->valid()) {
+  if (!archive || !archive->valid()) {
     data->error_code = ABC_ARCHIVE_FAIL;
     delete archive;
     return;
diff --git a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_cachefile_types.h b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_cachefile_types.h
index 0f4c53a6e7e..65e1dd6c096 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_cachefile_types.h
+++ b/source/blender/makesdna/DNA_cachefile_types.h
@@ -59,6 +59,18 @@ typedef struct CacheObjectPath {
   char path[4096];
 } CacheObjectPath;
 
+/* CacheFileLayer::flag */
+enum { CACHEFILE_LAYER_HIDDEN = (1 << 0) };
+
+typedef struct CacheFileLayer {
+  struct CacheFileLayer *next, *prev;
+
+  /** 1024 = FILE_MAX. */
+  char filepath[1024];
+  int flag;
+  int _pad;
+} CacheFileLayer;
+
 /* CacheFile::velocity_unit
  * Determines what temporal unit is used to interpret velocity vectors for motion blur effects. */
 enum {
@@ -73,6 +85,8 @@ typedef struct CacheFile {
   /** Paths of the objects inside of the archive referenced by this CacheFile. */
   ListBase object_paths;
 
+  ListBase layers;
+
   /** 1024 = FILE_MAX. */
   char filepath[1024];
 
@@ -109,7 +123,10 @@ typedef struct CacheFile {
   /** Size in megabytes for the prefetch cache used by the Cycles Procedural. */
   int prefetch_cache_size;
 
-  char _pad2[7];
+  /** Index of the currently selected layer in the UI, starts at 1. */
+  int active_layer;
+
+  char _pad2[3];
 
   char velocity_unit;
   /* Name of the velocity property in the archive. */
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/RNA_access.h b/source/blender/makesrna/RNA_access.h
index b32d98e3cb1..1ade964854d 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/RNA_access.h
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/RNA_access.h
@@ -105,6 +105,7 @@ extern StructRNA RNA_BuildModifier;
 extern StructRNA RNA_ByteColorAttribute;
 extern StructRNA RNA_ByteColorAttributeValue;
 extern StructRNA RNA_CacheFile;
+extern StructRNA RNA_CacheFileLayer;
 extern StructRNA RNA_Camera;
 extern StructRNA RNA_CameraDOFSettings;
 extern StructRNA RNA_CastModifier;
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_cachefile.c b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_cachefile.c
index 74d924b8937..2f8fc004d85 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_cachefile.c
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_cachefile.c
@@ -32,6 +32,7 @@
 
 #ifdef RNA_RUNTIME
 
+#  include "BLI_math.h"
 #  include "BLI_string.h"
 
 #  include "BKE_cachefile.h"
@@ -54,6 +55,14 @@ static void rna_CacheFile_update(Main *UNUSED(bmain), Scene *UNUSED(scene), Poin
   WM_main_add_notifier(NC_OBJECT | ND_DRAW, NULL);
 }
 
+static void rna_CacheFileLayer_update(Main *UNUSED(bmain), Scene *UNUSED(scene), PointerRNA *ptr)
+{
+  CacheFile *cache_file = (CacheFile *)ptr->owner_id;
+
+  DEG_id_tag_update(&cache_file->id, ID_RECALC_COPY_ON_WRITE);
+  WM_main_add_notifier(NC_OBJECT | ND_DRAW, NULL);
+}
+
 static void rna_CacheFile_dependency_update(Main *bmain, Scene *scene, PointerRNA *ptr)
 {
   rna_CacheFile_update(bmain, scene, ptr);
@@ -66,6 +75,91 @@ static void rna_CacheFile_object_paths_begin(CollectionPropertyIterator *iter, P
   rna_iterator_listbase_begin(iter, &cache_file->object_paths, NULL);
 }
 
+static PointerRNA rna_CacheFile_active_layer_get(PointerRNA *ptr)
+{
+  CacheFile *cache_file = (CacheFile *)ptr->owner_id;
+  return rna_pointer_inherit_refine(
+      ptr, &RNA_CacheFileLayer, BKE_cachefile_get_active_layer(cache_file));
+}
+
+static void rna_CacheFile_active_layer_set(PointerRNA *ptr,
+                                           PointerRNA value,
+                                           struct ReportList *reports)
+{
+  CacheFile *cache_file = (CacheFile *)ptr->owner_id;
+  int index = BLI_findindex(&cache_file->layers, value.data);
+  if (index == -1) {
+    BKE_reportf(reports,
+                RPT_ERROR,
+                "Layer '%s' not found in object '%s'",
+                ((CacheFileLayer *)value.data)->filepath,
+                cache_file->id.name + 2);
+    return;
+  }
+
+  cache_file->active_layer = index + 1;
+}
+
+static int rna_CacheFile_active_layer_index_get(PointerRNA *ptr)
+{
+  CacheFile *cache_file = (CacheFile *)ptr->owner_id;
+  return cache_file->active_layer - 1;
+}
+
+static void rna_CacheFile_active_layer_index_set(PointerRNA *ptr, int value)
+{
+  CacheFile *cache_file = (CacheFile *)ptr->owner_id;
+  cache_file->active_layer = value + 1;
+}
+
+static void rna_CacheFile_active_layer_index_range(
+    PointerRNA *ptr, int *min, int *max, int *UNUSED(softmin), int *UNUSED(softmax))
+{
+  CacheFile *cache_file = (CacheFile *)ptr->owner_id;
+
+  *min = 0;
+  *max = max_ii(0, BLI_listbase_count(&cache_file->layers) - 1);
+}
+
+static void rna_CacheFileLayer_hidden_flag_set(PointerRNA *ptr, const bool value)
+{
+  CacheFileLayer *layer = (CacheFileLayer *)ptr->data;
+
+  if (value) {
+    layer->flag |= CACHEFILE_LAYER_HIDDEN;
+  }
+  else {
+    layer->flag &= ~CACHEFILE_LAYER_HIDDEN;
+  }
+}
+
+static CacheFileLayer *rna_CacheFile_layer_new(CacheFile *cache_file,
+                                               bContext *C,
+                                               ReportList *reports,
+                                               const char *filepath)
+{
+  CacheFileLayer *layer = BKE_cachefile_add_layer(cache_file, filepath);
+  if (layer == NULL) {
+    BKE_reportf(
+        reports, RPT_ERROR, "Cannot add a layer to CacheFile '%s'", cache_file->id.name + 2);
+    return NULL;
+  }
+
+  Depsgraph *depsgraph = CTX_data_ensure_evaluated_depsgraph(C);
+  BKE_cachefile_reload(depsgraph, cache_file);
+  WM_main_add_notifier(NC_OBJECT | ND_DRAW, NULL);
+  return layer;
+}
+
+static void rna_CacheFile_layer_remove(CacheFile *cache_file, bContext *C, PointerRNA *layer_ptr)
+{
+  CacheFileLayer *layer = layer_ptr->data;
+  BKE_cachefile_remove_layer(cache_file, layer);
+  Depsgraph *depsgraph = CTX_data_ensure_evaluated_depsgraph(C);
+  BKE_cachefile_reload(depsgraph, cache_file);
+  WM_main_add_notifier(NC_OBJECT | ND_DRAW, NULL);
+}
+
 #else
 
 /* cachefile.object_paths */
@@ -94,6 +188,61 @@ static void rna_def_cachefile_object_paths(BlenderRNA *brna, PropertyRNA *cprop)
   RNA_def_struct_ui_text(srna, "Object Paths", "Collection of object paths");
 }
 
+static void rna_def_cachefile_layer(BlenderRNA *brna)
+{
+  StructRNA *srna = RNA_def_struct(brna, "CacheFileLayer", NULL);
+  RNA_def_struct_sdna(srna, "CacheFileLayer");
+  RNA_def_struct_ui_text(
+      srna,
+      "Cache Layer",
+      "Layer of the cache, used to load or override data from the first the first layer");
+
+  PropertyRNA *prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "filepath", PROP_STRING, PROP_FILEPATH);
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "File Path", "Path to the archive");
+  RNA_def_property_update(prop, 0, "rna_CacheFileLayer_update");
+
+  prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "hide_layer", PROP_BOOLEAN, PROP_NONE);
+  RNA_def_property_boolean_sdna(prop, NULL, "flag", CACHEFILE_LAYER_HIDDEN);
+  RNA_def_property_boolean_funcs(prop, NULL, "rna_CacheFileLayer_hidden_flag_set");
+  RNA_def_property_ui_icon(prop, ICON_HIDE_OFF, -1);
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Hide Layer", "Do not load data from this layer");
+  RNA_def_property_update(prop, 0, "rna_CacheFileLayer_update");
+}
+
+static void rna_def_cachefile_layers(BlenderRNA *brna, PropertyRNA *cprop)
+{
+  RNA_def_property_srna(cprop, "CacheFileLayers");
+  StructRNA *srna = RNA_def_struct(brna, "CacheFileLayers", NULL);
+  RNA_def_struct_sdna(srna, "CacheFile");
+  RNA_def_struct_ui_text(srna, "Cache Layers", "Collection of cache layers");
+
+  PropertyRNA *prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "active", PROP_POINTER, PROP_NONE);
+  RNA_def_property_struct_type(prop, "CacheFileLayer");
+  RNA_def_property_pointer_funcs(
+      prop, "rna_CacheFile_active_layer_get", "rna_CacheFile_active_layer_set", NULL, NULL);
+  RNA_def_property_flag(prop, PROP_EDITABLE);
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Active Layer", "Active layer of the CacheFile");
+
+  /* Add a layer. */
+  FunctionRNA *func = RNA_def_function(srna, "new", "rna_CacheFile_layer_new");
+  RNA_def_function_flag(func, FUNC_USE_REPORTS | FUNC_USE_CONTEXT);
+  RNA_def_function_ui_description(func, "Add a new layer");
+  PropertyRNA *parm = RNA_def_string(
+      func, "filepath", "File Path", 0, "", "File path to the archive used as a layer");
+  RNA_def_parameter_flags(parm, 0, PARM_REQUIRED);
+  /* Return type. */
+  parm = RNA_def_pointer(func, "layer", "CacheFileLayer", "", "Newly created layer");
+  RNA_def_function_return(func, parm);
+
+  /* Remove a layer. */
+  func = RNA_def_function(srna, "remove", "rna_CacheFile_layer_remove");
+  RNA_def_function_flag(func, FUNC_USE_CONTEXT);
+  RNA_def_function_ui_description(func, "Remove an existing layer from the cache file");
+  parm = RNA_def_pointer(func, "layer", "CacheFileLayer", "", "Layer to remove");
+  RNA_def_parameter_flags(parm, PROP_NEVER_NULL, PARM_REQUIRED | PARM_RNAPTR);
+  RNA_def_parameter_clear_flags(parm, PROP_THICK_WRAP, 0);
+}
+
 static void rna_def_cachefile(BlenderRNA *brna)
 {
   StructRNA *srna = RNA_def_struct(brna, "CacheFile", "ID");
@@ -234,6 +383,23 @@ static void rna_def_cachefile(BlenderRNA *brna)
   RNA_def_property_update(prop, 0, "rna_CacheFile_update");
   RNA_def_property_clear_flag(prop, PROP_ANIMATABLE);
 
+  /* ----------------- Alembic Layers ----------------- */
+
+  prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "layers", PROP_COLLECTION, PROP_NONE);
+  RNA_def_property_collection_sdna(prop, NULL, "layers", NULL);
+  RNA_def_property_struct_type(prop, "CacheFileLayer");
+  RNA_def_property_override_clear_flag(prop, PROPOVERRIDE_OVERRIDABLE_LIBRARY);
+  RNA_def_property_ui_text(prop, "Cache Layers", "Layers of the cache");
+  rna_def_cachefile_layers(brna, prop);
+
+  prop = RNA_def_property(srna, "active_index", PROP_INT, PROP_UNSIGNED);
+  RNA_def_property_clear_flag(prop, PROP_ANIMATABLE);
+  RNA_def_property_int_sdna(prop, NULL, "active_layer");
+  RNA_def_property_int_funcs(prop,
+                             "rna_CacheFile_active_layer_index_get",
+                             "rna_CacheFile_active_layer_index_set",
+                             "rna_CacheFile_active_layer_index_range");
+
   RNA_define_lib_overridable(false);
 
   rna_def_cachefile_object_paths(brna, prop);
@@ -245,6 +411,7 @@ void RNA_def_cachefile(BlenderRNA *brna)
 {
   rna_def_cachefile(brna);
   rna_def_alembic_object_path(brna);
+  rna_def_cachefile_layer(brna);
 }
 
 #endif
diff --git a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_ui_api.c b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_ui_api.c
index a406e867d6c..5bf778d1962 100644
--- a/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_ui_api.c
+++ b/source/blender/makesrna/intern/rna_ui_api.c
@@ -619,6 +619,19 @@ static void rna_uiTemplateCacheFileTimeSettings(uiLayout *layout,
   uiTemplateCacheFileTimeSettings(layout, &fileptr);
 }
 
+static void rna_uiTemplateCacheFileLayers(uiLayout *layout,
+                                          bContext *C,
+                                          PointerRNA *ptr,
+                                          const char *propname)
+{
+  PointerRNA fileptr;
+  if (!uiTemplateCacheFilePointer(ptr, propname, &fileptr)) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  uiTemplateCacheFileLayers(layout, C, &fileptr);
+}
+
 static void rna_uiTemplatePathBuilder(uiLayout *layout,
                                       PointerRNA *ptr,
                                       const char *propname,
@@ -1847,6 +1860,11 @@ void RNA_api_ui_layout(StructRNA *srna)
   RNA_def_function_ui_description(func, "Show cache files time settings");
   api_ui_item_rna_common(func);
 
+  func = RNA_def_function(srna, "template_cache_file_layers", "rna_uiTemplateCacheFileLayers");
+  RNA_def_function_ui_description(func, "Show cache files override layers properties");
+  RNA_def_function_flag(func, FUNC_USE_CONTEXT);
+  api_ui_item_rna_common(func);
+
   func = RNA_def_function(srna, "template_recent_files", "uiTemplateRecentFiles");
   RNA_def_function_ui_description(func, "Show list of recently saved .blend files");
   RNA_def_int(func, "rows", 5, 1, INT_MAX, "", "Maximum number of items to show", 1, INT_MAX);
diff --git a/source/blender/modifiers/intern/MOD_meshsequencecache.c b/source/blender/modifiers/intern/MOD_meshsequencecache.c
index 00f39e58b4d..e1459ccba6d 100644
--- a/source/blender/modifiers/intern/MOD_meshsequencecache.c
+++ b/source/blender/modifiers/intern/MOD_meshsequencecache.c
@@ -392,6 +392,22 @@ static void render_procedural_panel_draw(const bContext *C, Panel *panel)
   uiTemplateCacheFileProcedural(layout, C, &fileptr);
 }
 
+static void override_layers_panel_draw(const bContext *C, Panel *panel)
+{
+  uiLayout *layout = panel->layout;
+
+  PointerRNA ob_ptr;
+  PointerRNA *ptr = modifier_panel_get_property_pointers(panel, &ob_ptr);
+
+  PointerRNA fileptr;
+  if (!uiTemplateCacheFilePointer(ptr, "cache_file", &fileptr)) {
+    return;
+  }
+
+  uiLayoutSetPropSep(layout, true);
+  uiTemplateCacheFileLayers(layout, C, &fileptr);
+}
+
 static void panelRegister(ARegionType *region_type)
 {
   PanelType *panel_type = modifier_panel_register(
@@ -405,6 +421,12 @@ static void panelRegister(ARegionType *region_type)
                              panel_type);
   modifier_subpanel_register(
       region_type, "velocity", "Velocity", NULL, velocity_panel_draw, panel_type);
+  modifier_subpanel_register(region_type,
+                             "override_layers",
+                             "Override Layers",
+                             NULL,
+                             override_layers_panel_draw,
+                             panel_type);
 }
 
 static void blendRead(BlendDataReader *UNUSED(reader), ModifierData *md)
diff --git a/tests/python/bl_alembic_io_test.py b/tests/python/bl_alembic_io_test.py
index c0d0bcdea70..da75d4f0731 100644
--- a/tests/python/bl_alembic_io_test.py
+++ b/tests/python/bl_alembic_io_test.py
@@ -357,6 +357,58 @@ class CameraExportImportTest(unittest.TestCase):
         self.assertAlmostEqual(1, actual_scale.z, delta=delta_scale)
 
 
+class OverrideLayersTest(AbstractAlembicTest):
+    def test_import_layer(self):
+        fname = 'cube-base-file.abc'
+        fname_layer = 'cube-hi-res.abc'
+        abc = self.testdir / fname
+        abc_layer = self.testdir / fname_layer
+
+        # We need a cache reader to ensure that the data will be updated after adding a layer.
+        res = bpy.ops.wm.alembic_import(filepath=str(abc), as_background_job=False, always_add_cache_reader=True)
+        self.assertEqual({'FINISHED'}, res)
+
+        # Check that the file loaded ok.
+        cube = bpy.context.active_object
+        depsgraph = bpy.context.evaluated_depsgraph_get()
+        scene = bpy.context.scene
+        cube_eval = cube.evaluated_get(depsgraph)
+        mesh = cube_eval.to_mesh()
+
+        # The base file should be a default cube.
+        self.assertEqual(len(mesh.vertices), 8)
+        self.assertEqual(len(mesh.edges), 12)
+        self.assertEqual(len(mesh.polygons), 6)
+
+        # Add a layer.
+        cache_file = bpy.data.cache_files[fname]
+        self.assertEqual(len(cache_file.layers), 0)
+
+        layer = cache_file.layers.new(filepath=str(abc_layer))
+        self.assertEqual(len(cache_file.layers), 1)
+        self.assertIsNotNone(layer)
+
+        # The layer added a higher res version of the mesh.
+        depsgraph = bpy.context.evaluated_depsgraph_get()
+        cube_eval = cube.evaluated_get(depsgraph)
+        mesh = cube_eval.to_mesh()
+        self.assertEqual(len(mesh.vertices), 26)
+        self.assertEqual(len(mesh.edges), 48)
+        self.assertEqual(len(mesh.polygons), 24)
+
+        # Remove the layer.
+        cache_file.layers.remove(layer)
+        self.assertEqual(len(cache_file.layers), 0)
+
+        # We should have reverted to the default cube.
+        depsgraph = bpy.context.evaluated_depsgraph_get()
+        cube_eval = cube.evaluated_get(depsgraph)
+        mesh = cube_eval.to_mesh()
+        self.assertEqual(len(mesh.vertices), 8)
+        self.assertEqual(len(mesh.edges), 12)
+        self.assertEqual(len(mesh.polygons), 6)
+
+
 def main():
     global args
     import argparse