Asset catalog layered image support

Systems and methods are disclosed for authoring, deploying, and executing layer stack images for applications directed to a plurality of target devices. Resources to implement the layer stack images are compiled into an asset catalog database for each image in each layer stack image for each target device. Derivative resource products, such as a flattened version of the layer stack images and a "blurred" version of layer stack images can be generated and stored in the asset catalog at compile and build time. Three-dimensional effects implemented using the layer stack images can be implemented using an application programming interface that accepts legacy two dimensional images can be used to receive the layer stack images. An platform framework implements logic that detects the type of image requested via the API is a layer stack image or a conventional flat image. Third party layer stack images can be received and displayed at run-time or compile time. Images that make up a layer stack image can be locally-stored, externally referenced, or both. A layer stack image can, itself, refer to other layer stack images.