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Render Layer Module icon Render Layer Module

Rendering > Render Layer

Render Layer module

Use the Render Layer module to define how single geometries should be rendered and displayed. Once a layer is created, you can assign geometries to it by dragging nodes from the Scenegraph. To see to layer attribute changes, activate the layer from the context menu or by using the icon in the tool bar.

Note:

The order in which render layers are activated is important. If in doubt, reset, then activate the render layers in the correct order.

learnMore icon For a video tutorial on using render layer when raytracing, see Render Layer. For information in using them, see Using Render Layers.

Resizing the Module

The Render Layer module width can be reduced, making it still readable, yet allowing for better integration and docking into the overall layout.

Image of the updated Render Layer dialog

When the module is reduced in width, the labels and all checkboxes are replaced with icons, and unassigned overflow material messages are replaced with greyed out material balls. Override materials with assigned materials display an icon of their respective material type.

Note:

As of 2025, the Render Layer module is not decoupled; therefore, Python access remains limited.

QuickActions Bar

Create icon Create - Creates a new empty render layer.

Duplicate icon Duplicate - Duplicates the current selected render layer (with all the nodes and attributes).

Select icon Select Nodes - Selects the corresponding nodes from the render layer within the Scenegraph.

Clear Override Material icon Clear Override Material - Removes and deletes the assigned material from the layer.

Reset Layer icon Reset Layer - Deactivates all layers inside the render layer module.

Activate Layericon Activate Layer - Activates the current selected render layer.

For a video on the Render Layer dialog, see Render Layer.

Render Layer Attributes

For each render layer, the attributes can be activated (On) and deactivated (Off) by double-clicking the entry. To enable/disable several attributes from different nodes at the same time, right-click the layer and select Apply Attributes to Selected from the context menu.

The following attributes are available:

  • Visible - Only available in Raytracing mode. Sets the attributes for Color and Alpha Channel. Not selecting this attribute excludes the objects from the rendering.

  • Visible In Alpha - Affects attributes for the Alpha Channel. Not selecting this attribute excludes the related objects from the rendered alpha channel (for example, to produce cutouts).

  • Primary Visibility - Only available in Raytracing mode. Sets the attribute for the Color Channel. Not selecting this attribute results in a color channel where the related objects are not contained; however, they still cast shadows and can be seen within reflections.

  • Visible In Reflections - Only available in Raytracing mode. Sets the attributes for reflection. Not selecting this attribute disables object's visibility within reflections.

  • Visible In Refractions - Only available in Raytracing mode. Sets the attribute for refractions. Not selecting this attribute disables object's visibility within refractions.

  • Cast Shadows - Only available in Raytracing mode. Sets the attribute for casting shadows. Not selecting this attribute prevents the objects from casting shadows.

  • Receive Shadows - Only available in Raytracing mode. Sets the attribute for receiving shadows. Not selecting this attribute prevents the objects from receiving shadows.

  • Double Sided - Results in rendering both sides (front face/back face) of the related objects. When the attribute is not selected, only the front faces are rendered.

  • Visible For Photons - Only available in Raytracing mode. When not selected, photon algorithms ignore the objects within this layer.

  • Cast Shadows On Shadow Material - Only available in Raytracing mode. Sets the attribute for casting shadows on shadow material. Not selecting this attribute prevents the objects from casting shadows on shadow materials.

  • Use Override Material - Double-click within the UseOverrideMaterial column to enable or disable the state of the Override Material.

  • Override Material - Drag and drop any material from the Material Editor onto the layer (objects in the layer) to add it as an override material. When the material assigned to a render layer is converted to another type or renamed in the Material Editor, the OverrideMaterial connection updates and the render layer overrides are updated.

Context Menu

  • Create Layer - Creates an empty render layer.

  • Rename Layer (Ctrl + R) - Renames the selected render layer.

  • Delete (Del) - Deletes the selected render layer.

  • Duplicate Layer (Ctrl + D) - Duplicates the selected render layer.

  • Select All (Ctrl + A) - Selects all render layers.

  • Move Up (Ctrl + Up) - Moves the selected render layer up in the stack.

  • Move Down (Ctrl + Down) - Moves the selected render layer down in the stack.

  • Apply Attributes to Selected - Adopts checked/unchecked attributes to all selected render layers.

  • Add Selected Nodes - Adds selected objects from the Scenegraph to selected render layer.

  • Select Nodes (Ctrl + N) - Selects all nodes contained in the render layer within the Scenegraph.

  • Cleanup - Removes non-existing objects from render layers.

  • Clear Override Material icon Clear Override Material - Removes and deletes the assigned material from the layer.

  • Activate Layericon Activate Layer - Activates the render layer and adopts settings within the render view.

  • Reset Layer icon Reset Layer - Deactivates all render layers.

Keyboard Shortcuts

There are several hotkeys available for the Render Layer dialog:

  • Ctrl + A Select All
  • Ctrl + D Duplicate Layer
  • Ctrl + Down Move Down
  • Ctrl + N Select Nodes
  • Ctrl + R Rename Layer
  • Ctrl + Up Move Up
  • Del Delete
Parent page: Rendering

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