Create solid-appearing 3d models of a subsurface
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(1) there are two ways:
- create two scenes that only contain layer information. in the first you switch on all layers, in the second you switch off the desired layers. now you can turn the layers on or off simply by clicking on the scene tabs
- you select all the layers you want to switch off in the layer window. when you now uncheck one of them, all the others will be unchecked as well. that approach is not as permanent of course, because if you reopen the file or need to check/uncheck a different layer, you will loose the selection.(2) are you sure that the group itself is on the layer and not merely the geometry within? if that is the case I would suggest to put the group onto the desired layer and put the raw geometry within the group back to layer0 (that won't change anything right now. but if you copy/paste some raw geometry from one group to the other, the chance of messing around with the layer assignment is smaller)
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I'll try those methods for (1). As for (2), it appears now many of the groups are contained on layer 0 and the elements of the groups as I intended are on the specific layers (I believe the opposite of what you suggested!). I apparently Cloud-imported the elements to their respective layers but grouped them while sitting in layer 0. I had intended for each TIN and its group to be neatly housed on a layer named to reflect the identity of the TIN. Oh well I'm sure it's no big deal to correct it now--just a nuisance! Thank you and the others for the help. I'll try to show some of this to you at a later date if and when I ever finish the geometry. Now then, I still have have a few rendering questions...
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I lost a group containing elements which i had worked long on and were finished. I probably deleted it mistakenly with a layer I was not aware it was associated. Now I still have this group in a past saved file and I would like to bring it--in place if possible (it abuts and matches perfectly to edges within other groups)--into the current file version of the model. I believe the answer to this may just be a matter of saving it as a component (something I read you guys do quite regularly once you've created, say, a furniture piece, that can be placed again in another model). I do not remember the tutorial videos showing exactly how one saves out components to a library for future use. I would like to know how, whether or not that is the simplest way to bring my group forward.
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I think the fastest way is to open the model that has the group, select it and go to Edit>Copy.
Then open the file that is missing the group. And go to Edit>Paste In Place
It should just stick it right in the same physical location.
Chris
PS I'm really hoping to a screenshot or something soon
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That worked great. Thanks. I thought I had tried that once before without success, but I must have had layers or something set differently then.
Now I'm noticing something peculiar. 2 more of my groups just sort of went away. It could be I'm tied and making careless errors, but ???? I have 54 defined layers plus layer 0. Is there some arbitrary limit to the numbers of layers or groups you can use?
I WILL try to get you a shot or two when I have this just a wittle bit further along.
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No, there's no limit to layers that I'm aware of. certainly wouldn't be near 54. Probably a simple careless mistake. are you using the outliner? I tend to delete or hide things too good when I use the outlines sometimes,
Chris
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I would suggest trying Podium as it is probably the easiest render engine to start with.
As time is running out for you, you could ask some of the wizards here to render it for you.
I know Solo has a wide arsenal of tools both for tuning up the model as for rendering it.
But I leave it up to you to ask him.... -
Eeeek. What does it mean when a group turns RED?
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Ok. I right clicked and Unlocked it. So what does it mean to be locked? Just dis-enables any modifications?
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Exactly.
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Still something peculiar about that group. I selected all the groups in the project (with intent to rotate them all in unison), and now this trouble group (the one that was red and I unlocked) remains black instead of blue when the supergroup is selected and it fails to rotate with the supergroup. Any ideas?
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Hm. Try to edit it and see if its content i not locked (thinking of your unusual way of handling raw geometry on different layers within groups, I wouldn't be surprised)
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Thank you. Editing it seemed to jog it out of its confusion.
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I would like to adopt the workflow you and others use. I believe you create raw geometry on layer 0 and cut/paste it to a layer you have defined. I have tried that and only in a few instances have been successful--I go where I want it pasted and find both Paste and Paste in Place grayed-out. Specifically, I cut or copy selected elements from layer 0 (typically the selection would be from a group so I would be in group edit mode in layer 0 with layer 0 active), close the edit on layer 0, activate the destination layer, and then find the Pasties grayed out in the pull-down menu! I'm doing something wrong.
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You still think of Layers like some "places" where you can cut and paste things from and into.
Think of them like some kind of blinders instead which - when turned off - are shut and close your view from them. So to "put" something onto a different layer, just select that entity, right click > Entity info > and there just change the layer.
If this raw geometry is within a group, edit the group, select all inside and follow the steps above.
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<of course Gaieus beat me to it>
I think most of us do something more along the lines of:
Create geometry always on layer 0. Then select the portion you want to move to another layer. Once selected, turn it into a group or component. Now select the group/component. Open the Entity Info window. Change the layer that is shown there to the target layer. Now the group/component is on that layer and all inner raw geometry is still on layer 0.
I rarely if ever use cut and paste. Hope that helps,
Chris
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Looks like its coming along. I'd be interested in poking around the file to see your group and layer management. I'd bet we could show you some great tricks to help manage a file like for future reference.
Chris
PS what does it look like with hidden geometry not visible?
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The view without edges is okay, but some of the drama is missing. The lighting also appears "overexposed" to my taste when the edges are turned off. I would very much like the Profiles edge style if all the edges other than the perimeter edges would remain hidden, which they won't. The no edges view is better on close-ups (see second attachment), probably because it does look so washed out by the lighting. I thought I had remembered from my review of the video tutorials that there were lighting settings possible, but I can't find those now. I have a very full featured lighting controller (with five spot directions possible) in a geophysical 3d visualizer package--I think I was thinking SU had the same.
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@gealagie said:
...I thought I had remembered from my review of the video tutorials that there were lighting settings possible, but I can't find those now...
Maybe it's simply the Window > Shadow settings dialog?
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I have also played just a little bit with Styles and Shadows. Most of those Styles are cool but a little too arty for my technical application. I think Simple Style (under Default styles) is my choice among those (see attached). I didn't play with Shadows much--the model naturally faces north so unless I can get the sun to rise in the ne and set in the nw, I would have to rotate the whole shebang. I can do that, of course, in a saved alternate file. I might try that.
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