Whats the difference....
-
...between hiding elements of a model and using layers to make them invisible? Any advantages in regard to changes made?
-
Weeeellll... That's a good question. They're kind of the same. However. Hide can hide multiple layers where as layers cannot hide multiple layers.
Both Layers and The Hide feature are available to be remembered by Scenes so they can be used in the same way there.
The Outliner is the "Layer list" of the Hide tool. Here you can hide and unhide objects regardless of layer. Also unlike the layer menu; there is a hierarchy to the Outliner. Groups and components can have sub groups who have sub groups who have you get the idea.
Personally I use the Outliner for things like levels of my buildings and roofs and foundations. And then I use Layers for things I turn off like vegetation and furniture. I try to keep everything else on the Layer0.
I'm sure you'll get a lot more information from more experienced users.
-
@mics_54 said:
...between hiding elements of a model and using layers to make them invisible? Any advantages in regard to changes made?
There are many, but one big difference is that if you hide something and then turn on hidden geometry while working on the model, the hidden surfaces will reappear as a grid. Not the same if you use layers.
-
@massimo said:
...There are many, but one big difference is that if you hide something and then turn on hidden geometry while working on the model, the hidden surfaces will reappear as a grid. Not the same if you use layers.
Yes, that came into my mind - as the most important factor in "user experience" - too.
I usually use layers for organising my model (and eventually hiding unhiding things during say a presentation) while I use the hide command only for temporary things while trying to work on the model.
Note however (as an aside which you may already know) that neither hiding nor putting geometry on layers will separate them and newly added geometry will merge the hidden geometry. This is why you should use grouping (or components) to put them on separate layers (or use the hide function for permanent hiding/unhiding).
-
@mics_54 said:
...between hiding elements of a model and using layers to make them invisible? Any advantages in regard to changes made?
You can rely on "hiding" (nested!) elements when working with turned off layers. Whereas hide is not saved properly in (throughout) subsequent scenes.
If you hide a nested group and save as such in one scene, and you may want to show the same group in another, you just have to do so by applying layers. Hide won't work.
-
Important to name and make sure that whatever the methods that you organize the group/components/layer. Try to make it a habit to names/##/& or letters them. outliner filter has made finding items much easier.
As well layer help in making presentations. -
I should downgrade to beginner!
Advertisement