Work with layers

Watch this video to learn about working with layers in Create VR.

Video Contents

Layers can be used as a powerful tool to work on designs iteratively. For example, as you work on a design in Create VR, duplicating the active layer at each stage of refinement lets you preserve previous forms. This way, you are free to experiment, tweak, and compare shapes iteratively.

Another layer technique is to create a 3D curve sketch on layer, which can then function as an underlay on a base layer. Then, on a new layer, create the surfaces for the design.

You can then build out the design by taking full advantage of interactivity, such as CV snapping and align, while keeping the curves and surfaces separate and independent from each other. For example, CV snapping between layers lets the base layer curves influence the surfaces shape, but because they are on different layers, the curves are not affected and maintain their original shape.

Add layers

The new layer displays as a card below the Layer toolbar and becomes the active layer. Each layer is numbered and marked with a color making them visually distinctive.

Change the active layer

The active layer in your scene is highlighted in the Layers palette. When a layer is active, you can edit the objects contained by the layer. A layer must be active before it can be deleted or duplicated. Only one layer can be the active layer at one time.

Duplicate a layer

  1. Select the layer you want to duplicate.
  2. Pull the Tool Hand trigger on the Duplicate icon.

The newly duplicated layer displays in the Layers palette and is now the active layer. All the objects contained in the source layer are duplicated and placed in the same location of the scene as the source objects.

Delete a layer

Hide layers

Moving objects by layer

You can use the Layer Move tool to move the contents of a layer in the scene. This way, you isolate the object-grip to move only those objects contained in the active layer.

  1. Pull the Tool Hand trigger on the Layer Move icon in the Layers palette.
  2. Hold the Tool Hand grip button and move the layer’s contents in the scene.
  3. Pull the trigger on the Layer Move icon again to return to the default object-move.

    It’s important that you return Create VR to this default state before continuing your work, otherwise the results of your edits may not be as expected.

Assign objects to different layers

You can assign objects to specific layers using the Assign Objects tool in the Layers palette. When this tool is selected, objects are painted with their layer color in the Layers palette. Objects with no assigned layer are painted red and cannot be edited. You can assign them to a layer using this tool.

  1. In the Layers palette, pull the Tool Hand trigger on the Assign Objects icon.

    Ensure your current active layer is the target layer you want to assign to the object.

Tip:

Open the Quick Menu to easily work with layers while modeling in the scene. Press up on the Global hand analog stick (Oculus) or D-pad (VIVE) to access the Quick Menu and Layers palette, which is docked on the Global hand. Point the Tool Hand controller towards the Quick Menu to interact with it.

  1. Pull the trigger on an object to assign it to the current active layer.
  2. Pull the trigger again to revert the change.
  3. Press on the Tool Hand to exit the tool mode.