Managing Shape Layers

Shapes can have a number of Operations or Boolean Operations applied to them. These operations are referred to as "Layers". These layers are retained and many can be updated after application. If you update a operation, all operations applied after will be re-applied. This allows for fine tuning of modifications to shapes and animation of operation effects.

While in Animation Mode, only those operations that were applied in Animation Mode will be displayed. While in Modeling Mode, only those operations that were applied in Modeling Mode will be displayed. This is done to make it clear which operations can be animated, since only Operations applied in Animation Mode can be animated.

Click to display the Shape Layers panel. Or select the Operation Tab to show all Operation sub-panels.

Clicking on a layer will display the selected shape in the state it was when that operation was applied. Clicking on a Material layer will copy the material applied to the Material Palette so that you can update it.

Click to update the current layer. This will only be displayed if the Layer supports this operation. This button is also available for the source shape so that you can open and update the source shape.

Click to compact the current layer and all layers below the current layer in to a single layer. This is used to reduce the disk storage required for the shape. Layers are cached and as a result, files can get very large.

Click to move the selected layer up in the layers list. The order in which Operations are applied does affect how the final shape will look.

Click to move the selected layer down in the layers list.

Click to delete the current layer.

Click to show more layers.

Click to show fewer layers.

indicates that the layer is applied to a shape.

indicates that the layer is applied to a face or selection of faces.

indicates that the layer is applied to a point or selection of points.

indicates a non-destructive layer. This means that it does not change the number of faces or points in the shape.

indicates a destructive layer. This means that the number of faces and/or points in the shape is changed by this layer. Operations applied to a selection of faces or points cannot be reapplied if a operation earlier in the list is updated and the result is that the number of faces or points changes.

indicates an active layer. A layer can be made inactive by clicking on the check box.

indicates an non-active layer. A layer can be made active by clicking on the check box.

In addition to functions provided to manage layers, the parameters for the active layer are also displayed.

Click to remember the current settings for the Operation or Primitive.

Click to reset the settings to the remembered settings.

Click to reset the settings to the 3D Canvas default settings.