What if all gemoetry was forced to layer 0
-
So I've had recent recurring problems with trying to help people or fix things in other people's models I'm working on, and I keep coming across issues that are 100% because they are moving geometry off to millions of weird layers, turning some on, some off, etc etc. I think many of us know the headaches involved here of invisible lines, faces that don't close because edges are on all sorts of hidden and visible layers, etc again.
So would it be beneficial to simply change SU force all plain edges and faces to layer 0 (or perhaps no layer)and only allow groups, components, and images to move off to new layers? I haven't thought this through very far, but are there serious flaws with this possibility? It sounds like a dream come true in my head. But what do you think?
Chris
-
Sounds like a good idea to me. I certainly cant think of a good reason why you would need to be able to draw straight on to different layers.
-
There is a script that fixes multi-layer screw ups... see:
http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?f=180&t=7621&p=47043&hilit=+default+layer#p47043It links to the script: http://www.sketchucation.com/forums/scf/viewtopic.php?p=47033#p47033
At least it then makes fixing the mess possible...
-
Well Tig, that's exactly perfect indeed!
I still wouldn't mind them switching it so it was impossible to move free geometry to any layer, but heck, this is awesome!!!!!!!
Chris
-
Good one mate, thanks!
-
this is really a great script! will make using other people's models a lot easier. thank you very much, TIG
-
When I started out with SketchUp back in V.1, I was always forgetting what layer I was on and ending up with the problems Chris identified. Since then I've ignored layers completely and draw on only one layer, but make extensive use of components and the outliner to hide/unhide geometry. Others may differ but I find it much simpler and haven't yet come across any situation where I miss the use of layers. It's worth considering if layers is confusing anyone.
Kenny
-
Newbies need more information on layers.
I approached SU layers like CAD layers. Obviously they do not "stack" like CAD layers, especially like those types of apps that allow you to cover objects "behind". However the natural inclination is to put the roof on one layer, the walls on another and so on. There is another setting with layers that is not available with SU--that is what layers will be editable--it appears all layers will be edited, visible or not. So it's unlike CAD.
So what are layers for? How is another layer associated with parts of the model when the geometry is on the base layer? I can dig using components or groups rather than layers to organize (then there's the outliner which is still confusing to me). However then you cannot let the lines and planes in different groups interact when desired. In CAD you can choose to edit objects on multiple layers or only one. Where is that option in SU (with layers or other methods) or is it not necessary?
Where is there an explanation of the real world use of Layers in SU?
I also repeatedly tried to delete the layer with an ugly name: "Layer 0".
Aside: how do you designate groups of planes for later applications of textures? Groups? Components? I have colored parts of my model and now it looks like I must go about and pick each object, giving it a texture in order to render it.
-
Hi Pbacot, hi folks.
From the chapter devoted to concept in the SketchUp (SU) User Guide (UG), you can read:
---------- START OF EXCERPT ----------
Layers
SketchUp layers are used to control the visibility of geometry within large models. A
SketchUp layer is an attribute with a name, such as "Layer0," "Layer9," or "Chairs."Elements can be assigned different layers. For example, all Component entities that
are chairs can be assigned to the "Chairs" layer. This layer can be then be hidden temporarily
to hide everything on the layer from view.Note - Geometry on one layer is not separated from geometry on
another layer. For example, faces sharing a common edge will both be
affected by a modification to that edge regardless of what layer the faces
are on.Default "Layer0"
There is one Layer, Layer0, in SketchUp, by default. All entities are automatically
placed on this layer unless you create another layer, designate the new layer as the
active layer, and create entities on the new layer.---------- END OF EXCERPT ----------
And further down in the same chapter, you can read:
---------- START OF EXCERPT ----------
Layers, Groups and Components
Layers are a mechanism for controlling the visibility of entities within a model. Entities
can be assigned to different layers in a model and those layers, and their contents,
can be displayed independently. Groups and Components are used to isolate geometry
as sub-models within an overall model, such as a component of a chair within a
model of a room.Note - Entities within a group or component can be on several different
layers.---------- END OF EXCERPT ----------
I also suggest that you read the entire chapter devoted to the Layer Manager.
Just ideas.
-
I allways stick to the following rule:
draw geometry and immediately create groups and components to keep it tidy. I then move these groups/components to different layers (in entity info window). thus all my faces and edges are on layer0 and everything works fine.
the only trap is, when you explode a group/component, it's kontence, if not already dedicated to a layer, is automatically placed on the layer the group/component was in.
that means, if you have a grouped chair in layer "furniture" and explode the chair, the geometry within (edges and faces) will be moved to layer "furniture". but if you are vigilant enough, you will instantly put the geometry back to layer0 and no harm is done.
or you use TIG's great plugin, to clean up the layer assignment of your geometry - thanks TIG
-
@unknownuser said:
SketchUp layers are used to control the visibility of geometry within large models. A
I see, but this doesn't note the problems discussed here. I am seeing how the components and layers work now...and think I better draw on one layer for a while! and read the manual.
Thanks
-
Yeah, I tend to only ever draw on layer 0 and then make components and move them off to other layers only when I need them organized for easy hiding. So I might make a bunch of buildings, then turn them into components. But I won't move them on to their own buildings layer unless I decide I ever need to quickly hide all buildings. I underutilize layers (in a good way I think) and I tend to use the outliner just to control my groups and components, but I don't like to use it for hiding and unhiding.
Chris
-
I've run into the same problem Chris has when I've been trying to help others get their models straightened out. I agree that forcing geometry to reside on Layer 0 makes much sense.
pbacot, when I am teaching new SketchUp users about components and groups, I use an analogy to try to explain how they keep geometry separated. Think of a sandwich. A couple of pieces of bread and some stuff in between. Lay a great big dill pickle on top and the juice soaks into the bread changing the sandwich. Wrap the sandwich in cling wrap and the pickle juice can't soak into the bread. Assigning a layer to a component or group effectively turns that cling wrap into some of that new "cloaking device" fabric. Unchecking the visibility box turns on the cloaking device. The geometry remains where it is though on Layer 0.
It's kind of a lame but it seems to get the point across.
Advertisement