To Create Variants

Use variants to create multiple scene variations.

Create a Variant

1. Cick Scene > Scenegraph to open the Scenegraph.
2. Click Scene > Variants to open the Variants dialog box.
3. In the Variants dialog box, click the tab corresponding to the type of object for which you want to create a variant: Geometry Variants, Material Variants, or Light Variants.
4. Drag a node or switch node from the Scenegraph onto the list area (left side) of the Variants dialog box.

   The node name is added to the left side of the Variants dialog box, and its potential states and hot key (if you create one) are shown on the right.

5. To enable a state, double-click the state on the right side of the Variants dialog box.

   The currently enabled state is indicated by bold lettering; the default state is highlighted.

Create a Variant Set

Use variant sets, or Vsets, to define multiple states for different properties at same time. In many cases, a variant alone is not enough for managing complex models; for example, where many different switch nodes are needed to represent a specific version of the loaded model. Variant Sets provides more functionality, allowing you activate many states simultaneously. For configurators, logical connections can be generated.

1. Cick Scene > Scenegraph to open the Scenegraph.
2. Click Scene > Variant Sets to open the Variant Sets dialog box.
3. Right-click inside the list area (left side) of the Variant Sets dialog box and select New Set.
4. Click the name of the new set to rename it.
5. In the Variant Sets dialog box, click the tab corresponding to the type of object for which you want to create a variant: Geometry, Material, or Light.
6. Drag a node or switch node from the Scenegraph under the appropriate tab of the Variant Sets dialog box.

   The node name is added to the tab, with supported states listed in a drop-down box.

7. To enable a state, select it from the drop-down box.
8. Optional: Create a hot key for the variant set in the General tab.

In addition to hot keys and the Variant Sets dialog box, you can use VRED python scripting to switch between Variant Sets. Use the function selectVariantSet(name), where name is the name of the variant set.

Show or Hide Geometry in Variant Sets

Use this feature to show or hide scenegraph nodes. This can be useful, for example, when using dissections in your scene.

1. In the Variant Sets dialog box, select a variant set.
2. Go to the Show/Hide tab.
3. Drag nodes from the Scenegraph into the Show/Hide tab.
4. Right-click in the list of variant sets in the Variant Sets dialog box.
5. Select Show Geometry or Hide Geometry from the context menu.