The Layers Bar

Purpose

To perform the following layer functions:

  • setting the attributes for a single layer
  • assigning picked objects to a layer
  • picking all the objects on a layer
  • picking stages and sets

Overview

The Layers Bar contains layer buttons that represent each layer. All the layers associated with your model appear in the Layers Bar. Each layer button contains a pull-down menu with a series of attributes, and some frequently used functions.

See also Layer Categories on page 249.

You can also select several of these layer buttons at a time by holding the Shift key and clicking on the layer buttons. The attributes of selected layers can then be changed simultaneously using tools in the Layers menu.

How to Use

1
A Layers Bar is displayed just below the Alias menu. If you do not see the Layers Bar (as shown below), select Layers > Tgl Layers Bar to toggle the Layers Bar on.

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Note: You can scroll through the Layers Bar to view all of the layers you have created by clicking the scroll buttons at the right of the Layers Bar.
However, the scroll buttons appear only when there are more layers than are visible in the bar.
2
Click with the left mouse button on the name of the layer you want to modify (for example, layer#1). The following pull-down menu is displayed. You can use these menu items to change layer attributes.
3
Double-click on the layer button to change the layer name. However, in number mode (set by Layers > Tgl Name/Number), the layer name cannot be changed.

Layers Bar Pull-down Menu Descriptions

For more information on states, see Setting the Layer State on page 259.

Set State

Sets the picking and snapping state of the layers.

Pickable

Makes the layer pickable. You can snap to and pick the objects in this layer.

Reference

Makes the layer a reference layer. You can snap to, but not pick, the layer's objects in the modeling window. You can pick these objects, however, in the SBD/ASBD windows.

Inactive

Makes the layer inactive. You cannot snap to or pick the objects in an inactive layer in the modeling window.
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Note: See the table in Attributes Associated with Layer States on page 238 for more information on layers and the ASBD/SBD windows.

Visible

You can toggle all items within a layer visible or invisible using this option.

Playback

Sets the animation playback for layers.

Symmetry

For more information on symmetry, see Setting Symmetry on Layers on page 263.

Turns symmetry on and off for this layer. When symmetry is on, a mirror image of the geometry is automatically drawn across a chosen plane of symmetry.

Assign

Assigns the picked objects to a layer. If you have already assigned an object to a different layer, then that assignment is cleared and the object is reassigned to the current layer.

You can undo this layer assignment with Layers > Undo assign.

Pick Objects

Picks all the objects in the layer. If some objects are already picked, they become unpicked first, and then all the objects in the selected layer are picked.

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Note: You can toggle layer attributes on or off at any time. You can also select a group of layers at one time and use the Layers menu to collectively set the attributes.

Layers Bar Color Buttons

If you click and hold with the mouse button on the square beside the layer's name on the layer button, the following color window is displayed:

Edit

Opens the Color Palette so you can edit the inactive modeling colors.

None

The layer does not have a color. Default Alias colors will be applied to that layer.

Tips:

  • Clicking on a layer button makes that layer the creation layer.
  • You can edit the name of a layer if you click twice on the layer name.
  • You can select a layer by holding the Shift key and clicking on a layer button.

Default Layer Button

You cannot change or delete the attributes of the Default Layer . The objects on the default layer are not shown with a layer box in the SBD or ASBD window. The Default Layer button automatically selects the Pickable , Visible , and Playback options.

Tip: You can also change layer attributes using the Layers menu. For example, using Layers > Set State, you can change the Pickable, Reference, and Inactive attributes.
The Layers menu is useful when you want to set attributes for several layers at once, rather than setting the same attribute three times using the pull-down menu in the Layers Bar.



Copyright © 1998, Alias|Wavefront, a division of Silicon Graphics Limited. All rights reserved. Please send questions or comments regarding the documentation to:
[email protected]