Max 5 layers : do you use 'em?

[neversong]

no.

My teacher told me it's crap. :p

[magicm]

your teacher is partially right.. but it never hurts to try it for yourself. I would recommend downloading the blur-script theOnion, which uses max's layer system, but with its own UI.

can be downloaded from blurbeta (http://www.blur.com/blurbeta)

[mef]

I use them all the time now. I used to be turned off by it, but once I got the hang of it, it's quite easy.

To move an object from one layer to another, you just need to select the object you want to move then select the name of the layer that you want to move it to. That's it.

Marc

[neversong]

oh, hehe...

yeah, I gotta try that sometime.

I got the blur scripts pack.

btw, can anyone tell me what's the biggest reason to use layers in max?

[Reality3D]

Better scene management, the possibility of hide thing in mass etc...without using the old selection sets(revamped a little in 3dsmax5 8))

[Pixelmaestro]

Since the layermanager scipt came out for max version 3

Benefits:

Scene management

Rendering out objects to layers for compositiing

http://www.rezn8.com/gearhead/

[Jon_Pran]

I am familiar with Form-Z (from school) and I never once used the Objects Pallette, only the Layers.

It is easy to lock all the layers of one part of a scene, then only select pieces from within it without worry about selecting everything or going through the hassle of groups (another feature of FormZ that I never used). Layers can do it all, with immediate control for every by itself or together.

I love layers :-)

[CJcuervo]

I dont see what the problem is, why does everyone think the layer system in max is crap? Ive used it ever since version 5 and actually really appreciate it, its very simple stuff....





CJ

[lukx]

I also was trying to use layers and can't move object from one layer to another. How I can do that. I'm selecting object , than layer properties, selecting layer and ...nothing happens.

[mef]

If you look about seven posts up, I've already answered that. You may not see anything happen because you'll need to turn on "Set Properties By Layer" for the object. That's the icon that looks like a stack of papers with the sun behind it. Select the object and press this button and the wire color of the object should change to what the layer is set to.

Marc

[AnimBot]

Yea rezn8 layers are friggin fantastic. Much better handled than any other layer system I've used.

[lukx]

but it doesn't work..for example got two boxes on one leayer called A now I'm creating another layer called B and want one box move to that layer B. I'm selecting box and click layer properties and click layer B and box isn't there it's still Layer B box.

[mef]

I think I see what you're not doing. You need to pick the layer from the layer drop down list NOT the layer proporties.

Marc

[Chris Thomas]

Here, really, download THE ONION from blur beta

http://www.blur.com/blurbeta/

the instructions are there

It uses 5's layers system, but with its own GUI

Very easy to use, indespensible IMHO

also get RENDER ELEMENTS there also, this works well with the onion for rendering to layers

Cheers

[lukx]

I'm soooo stupid!!! I had my layer tab on my left in vertical position so I didn't see layer menu...When I've puted it in horizonal position everything is working=) Thanks.

[visualboo]

I agree with jmonkey. Very awesome scripts.


Did I mention that blur rules?

[bibi5000]

[off-topic]

@Jon_Pran: coooooool, finally someone who uses Form*Z! Layer-management in FZ rocks! :buttrock: :wip:

[/off-topic]

sorry, folks.

[JayCMiller]

I 've got to get into layers, I read & tested my self that Grouping objects makes the max file really large espesally if you have groups within groups within...... I had a scene that went from 40 meg to 17 once I had cleaned up the grouping!

[gaggle]

Blur's "theOnion" script is based on Layer Manager from REZN8. I used to be a RESN8 user, but recently switched to Blur's. Not so different. All are nice :).

[Cyberdigitus]

i use layers yeah, i like how you can set diferent vieuwport render styles. (ie heavy objects in wireframe or even bounding box, and others shaded)

but i have a problem: my layer list dissapeared!?? i don't see it in the customise ui either. where is it gone too ?

[mef]

This sometimes happens. It happened to me twice. To get it back, you'll have to load the "DefaultUI" file. This should reset it.

Marc

[gaggle]

And that's why I've completly given up on the standard MAX layers GUI :).

Cursed bugs.

[Jed]

Yea I could not recommend downloading the Onion enough. We use it all the time here and I personnaly think it is one of the best things that came to MAX recently, along with Render Elements.
The UI is ten times better than MAX's , you can make groups of layers, assign alternate materials and properties. And it was made so it would be easiest to use for us animators.

And if you render for comp, download Render Elements IMMEDIATELY, you'll wonder how you could do without it before.

These scripts are on the blurbeta (http://www.blur.com/blurbeta) page, but are not part of the previous blurscripts packs, which can be found on Neil Blevins' site (http://www.neilblevins.com/blurscripts/blurscripts.htm)

[EricCartman]

Layers in Maya rock, but the one in Max are pure crap... but I still use them.

[Is-boset]

yhea i use it, for example in one scene i clone many times a object and another obect, and i need to apply motion blur, so y give the property of motion blur object to the layer, and activate the chanel in the objet and the problem was solved.

a guess is special for large scenes, and let you gives diferents kinds of visualities in the same viewport.

[clot]

How do I run the Blur scripts? The readme and net docs are a little vague. I see no category with BS 'category heading'. :shrug:

(the BS category is from the Blur script readme.txt.)

[Rice]

The resn8 layer tool and the Onion were built by the same guy. He just works for Blur now :) The Onion is the newest installment. Try it, you'll thank yourself.

www.blur.com/blurbeta

[Rice]

Oh, and Clot.

Go to Customize/Custom User Interface...
Now under the Toolbars Tab use the Category drop down and select BS. Drag the Onion to a tool bar.

Cheers,

[clot]

Oh my gosh, how did I live without this? Simply excellent. Great work!

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