Work with 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 create an empty layer

1. Do one of the following:
   • Click Create new empty layer icon in the Render Layer editor.
   • Select Layers > Create Empty Layer.

   If this is the first layer you created, the Master layer will also become visible.

To create a new layer with selected objects as members

1. Select your objects, and do one of the following:
   • Click the Create new layer and assign selected objects icon in the Layer editor.
   • Select Layers > Create Layer from Selected.

To select all objects in a layer

1. Do one of the following:
   • Right-click the layer and select Select Objects in Layer.
   • Select the layer or layers in the Layer Editor and select Layers > Select Objects in Selected Layers.

To add objects to a layer

1. Select the object(s). You may need to do so on the Master layer, where all objects are present.
2. Right-click the layer to which you want to add the objects and select Add Selected Objects.

To remove objects from a layer

1. Select the object(s).
2. Do one of the following:
   • Right-click the layer from which you want to remove the objects and select Remove Selected Objects.
   • Select the layer or layers from which you want to remove the objects and select Layers > Remove Selected Objects from Selected Layers.

To remove all objects from (empty) a layer

1. Right-click a layer and select Empty Render Layer from the menu that appears.

To get details of layer membership

1. Do one of the following:
   • Right-click a layer and select Membership.
   • Select a layer and select Layers > Membership.

To delete one or more layers

1. Do one of the following:
   • Right-click the layer you want to delete and select Delete Layer.
   • Select the layer or layers you want to delete and select Layers > Delete Selected Layers.

   You can also delete unused layers by selecting Layers > Delete Unused Layers.