Layer Explorer

Layer Explorer is a Scene Explorer mode that displays layers and their associated objects and properties. You can use it to create, delete, and nest layers, as well as to move objects between layers. You can also view and edit the settings for all layers in the scene, as well as the objects associated with them. You can specify the name, visibility, renderability, color, and objects' and layers' inclusion in the radiosity solution from this dialog.

• Main toolbar > (Manage Layers)
• Layers Toolbar > (Manage Layers)
• Standard menu: Tools menu > Manage Layers
• Enhanced menu: Scene menu > Manage Scene Content > Manage Layers
• Scene Explorer > View toolbar > Open drop-down list. > Add Default Scene Explorer > Default Layer Explorer
Note: These commands open a version of Scene Explorer specifically configured for managing layers. Alternatively, you can manage layers with any Scene Explorer by setting it to Sort By Layer mode ().

Objects are organized by layer in the dialog in a hierarchical list. By clicking or , or double-clicking a layer icon, you can expand or collapse (respectively) the object list for each layer. To expand or collapse a layer and all of its child layers, hold the Ctrl key while you click the arrow icon. You can also sort the layers by clicking any of the column heads.

Another useful tool is the ability to open the Object Properties dialog and Layer Properties dialog for one or more highlighted objects or layers directly from the Layer Explorer right-click menu.

Note: Most functionality in Layer Explorer is identical to that of Scene Explorer. This topic covers differences between the two.

Procedures

To create a new layer:

When you create new layers, 3ds Max names them sequentially by default: Layer001, Layer002, and so on. You can rename a new layer immediately by typing, or later by slowly double-clicking the title and then typing. 3ds Max assigns a random color to all new layers. You can accept the default settings or specify other colors.

Note: The default layer, named "0 (default)", cannot be renamed.
1. On the main toolbar, click (Manage Layers).

   The Layer Explorer dialog opens, listing all layers and objects in the scene.

2. Optionally, select any objects to add to the new layer. They are added automatically after creating the layer.
   Note: If a layer is highlighted when you create a layer, the new layer becomes a child of that layer. If multiple layers are highlighted, the new layer is added to the most recently highlighted layer.
3. On the Find toolbar, click (Create New Layer).

   3ds Max displays a new layer in the list with the temporary name Layer01. The name is highlighted, with a blinking text cursor. You can change the name right away by typing. If you prefer to keep the default name, simply press Enter or click away from the layer name.

   The new layer is active (see following) so that any objects you create subsequently are automatically added to this layer.

To make a layer active:

The active layer receives all newly created objects. Only one layer is active at a time.

Note: For other layer-related activities, such as changing properties, it's not necessary to change the active layer. For multi-layer activities, such as changing a property, just highlight the names of the layers to modify.
• On the Layer Explorer dialog, click an inactive layer icon () next to the name of the layer to activate.

  The icon turns blue (), indicating that the layer is active, so that any objects you create subsequently are automatically added to this layer.

To make a layer active (alternate method):

• On the Layers toolbar Layer List, click a layer.

  The highlighted layer becomes the current layer.

  Tip: Using this method doesn't automatically update the Layer Explorer. To reflect the change, click the Layer Explorer dialog.

To move objects between layers:

1. Use the Layer Explorer dialog to highlight the objects to move. You can highlight any objects in any layers.
2. Drag any highlighted object to a layer in the list. When a small arrow (yellow or blue) appears to the left of the layer name, release the mouse button.
   

   All of the dragged objects now belong to the target layer.

To nest layers:

You can create layer hierarchies, called "nesting" layers, simply by dragging layers into other layers. The parent layer controls the Hide/Freeze properties of any child layers, but other settings that can be inherited by layer members, such as Display and Rendering Controls, are controlled only by the immediate parent layer.

Note: While the default layer, layer 0, can contain other layers, it cannot be nested inside another layer.
1. To nest multiple layers, first highlight the layers to move. If nesting a single layer, this isn't necessary.
2. Drag a layer—one of the highlighted ones or any single layer—to another layer in the list. When a small arrow (yellow or blue; see preceding illustration) appears to the left of the layer name, release the mouse button.

   All of the dragged layers now belong to the target layer.

To remove layers from their hierarchy:

1. Highlight one or more nested layers.
2. Right-click and from the quad menu choose Unnest.
   

   The highlighted layers move to the top level of the layer hierarchy.

To hide or unhide a layer:

A visible layer or object is signified with the icon; a hidden one uses the or icon.

1. To hide or unhide multiple layers, first use the Layer Explorer dialog to highlight the layers to affect. If hiding or unhiding a single layer, this step is unnecessary.
2. Do either of the following:
   • Add the Visible column, if necessary, then click the or icon of any single layer or in any highlighted row.
   • Click the or icon at the left side of any single layer or in any highlighted row.

   Affected layers, along with member objects and layers, are hidden or unhidden. Any member objects of hidden layers show the icon to indicate that the layer controls the object's visibility.

To freeze or unfreeze a layer:

Freezing layers is useful when you want to edit objects associated with particular layers but also want to view, without editing, objects on other layers. You can't edit or select objects on a frozen layer; however, the objects are still visible if the layer is on. You can activate a frozen layer, and you can add new objects to the frozen layer.

An unfrozen layer or object is signified with the icon in the Frozen column; a frozen one uses the or icon.

1. To freeze or unfreeze multiple layers, first use the Layer Explorer dialog to highlight the layers to affect. If freezing or unfreezing a single layer, this step is unnecessary.
2. In the Frozen column, click the or icon of any single layer or in any highlighted row.

   The icon appearances toggle in the list.

To assign a color to a layer:

You can assign a color to a layer with the Layer Explorer. For example, you might assign the color red to a layer named HVAC to help identify the mechanical equipment in your scene.

1. On the main toolbar, click (Manage Layers).
2. If necessary, add the Color column to the layout (see Scene Explorer Columns).
3. Click the color swatch of the layer whose color you want to change, then use the Color Selector dialog to pick a new color.

   This changes the layer color. For objects in the layer to inherit this color, their color must be set to By Layer. To do so, see the following procedure.

To enable control of object properties by layer:

You can set four different categories of object properties to be controlled by the containing layer: Wireframe Color, Display Properties, Rendering Control, and Motion Blur. You can toggle the By Layer option for all four categories at once, or you can toggle the categories individually.

1. In Layer Explorer, highlight the objects to adjust.
2. Do either of the following:
   • Right-click and from the Layers quadrant of the quad menu, choose By Layer. This toggles the By Layer option for all four property categories simultaneously.
   • Right-click and choose Properties from the quad menu (bottom-right). Use the Object Properties dialog controls to toggle By Layer / By Object for each category individually.

To rename a layer:

You might want to rename a layer to better define how its contents are used in your scene. You can rename any layer except Layer 0 at any time during a 3ds Max session.

1. On the main toolbar, click (Manage Layers).
2. On the Layer Explorer dialog, highlight a layer to rename.
3. Click the layer’s name again to activate text-entry mode (or double-click to highlight the entire name) and enter a new name.

To delete a layer:

You can delete an empty layer at any time during a 3ds Max session. You cannot delete the default layer (0 (default)), the active layer, or a layer that contains objects.

1. On the main toolbar, click (Manage Layers).
2. In the Layer Explorer dialog list, highlight one or more layers, and then right-click and, from the quad menu, choose Delete.

To open the Layer Properties dialog for a layer selection:

1. On the main toolbar, click (Manage Layers).
2. Highlight one or more layers in the Layer Explorer dialog list.
3. Right-click and, from the quad menu, choose Properties.

Interface

The Layer Explorer interface and workflow are identical to that of Scene Explorer, with the exception of the methods detailed in the preceding procedures. For details, see these topics:

• Scene Explorer
• Using Scene Explorer
• Scene Explorer Columns
• Scene Explorer Menus
• Scene Explorer Toolbars
• Manage Scene Explorer