Work with layer overrides using legacy render layers

Note: A new render setup system is available that replaces legacy render layers and is the default system in Maya. This new approach simplifies the management of complex scenes for rendering and is now the recommended workflow. See Render setup in Maya for more information.

To override materials and shaders on a per layer basis: method 1

1. In the Render Layer editor, select a layer.
2. Select Windows > Rendering Editors > Hypershade.
3. Select a material from Hypershade, or create a new material, and assign by right-clicking and choosing Assign Material Override from the marking menu.
   

   This creates a material and assignment that will override all shader assignments to objects on the current layer.

To override materials and shaders on a per layer basis: method 2

1. You can also override materials and shaders on a per layer basis by right-clicking on a layer in the Render Layer editor and selecting Overrides > Create New Material Override or Assign Existing Material Override from the menu that appears.

   You do not need to have a layer selected to use the context-sensitive menu; right-clicking an unselected layer still allows you to override its materials.

To override materials and shaders on a per layer basis: method 3

1. Select a material from Hypershade, or create a new material. To assign this material to the layer, select the layer and middle-drag the material swatch over the object.
   
   

To remove a material override

1. Right-click on the layer, and select Overrides > Remove Material Override from the menu that appears.

To override layer attributes (render flags) on a per layer basis

1. In the Render Layer editor, select a layer.
2. Open the Attribute editor by right-clicking on a layer and choosing Attributes from the menu that appears.

   The Member Overrides section of the layer attributes appears.

3. Click a render check box (for example, turn off Motion Blur, turn off Cast Shadows, or assign a shading group to all objects in that layer).

To override render settings, including the renderer, on a per layer basis

1. In the Render Layer editor, select a layer.
2. Open the Render Settings; for example, by clicking the controls (render settings) icon on a layer, or select Windows > Rendering Editors > Render Settings.
3. Right-click on a setting name and choose Create Layer Override from the menu that appears.

   The settings you can override on a per-layer basis include: Render Using, Edge Anti-Aliasing, Size Units, and Resolution Units.

   When a render setting override is applied, the clapboard icon on the layer appears in color (red) .

To remove a render flag override

1. Right-click on the layer, and select Overrides > Remove Render Flag Overrides from the menu that appears.

To remove a render setting override

1. Right-click on the layer, and select Overrides > Remove Render Setting Overrides from the menu that appears.
   Note: You cannot create overrides on the Master layer: any change you make to render settings on the Master layer propagates to all layers that derive from it.