Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Current Object
In the upper right-hand corner of Modeler's
screen is a set of controls that perform vari-
ous tasks. The first control that we will
discuss is the Current Object pop-up menu.
Figure 2-20: The Layer controls are simple and
easy to understand, but this outward simplicity is a
veneer, cleverly concealing their awesome power.
Layers really have only four possible
options to them:
A layer can have something in it, you
can see its contents, and you can directly
manipulate what you see. (This is consid-
ered a layer in the foreground .)
A layer can have something in it and
you can see its contents, but you cannot
directly manipulate what you see. (This is
considered a layer in the background. )
A layer can have something in it, but its
contents are not visible. (This is like keep-
ing something in the attic that you can't
quite find a use for, but it just might come in
handy one day.)
A layer can be empty (like a vacant
storage locker in a vast “U-Stor-It”).
Figure 2-18: LightWave keeps a running list of all
objects open in both Modeler and Layout. The
current object's filename is shown in the Current
Object pop-up menu.
Figure 2-19: Clicking on this pop-up menu shows
the list of objects currently open in Layout and
Modeler.
Objects open in Modeler are shown in black
(as is Unnamed in the above figure).
Objects open in Layout but not currently
open in Modeler are shown in gray (all the
others). Objects that have been modified in
Modeler or Layout but not saved are shown
with an asterisk (*) after their name (just as
Unnamed is).
A layer whose contents are shown in the
foreground is rendered in that viewport's
current display type. The contents of a
Layers
One of the most versatile tools that
LightWave offers is its ability to
support layers . With layers, you can
break up a mind-numbingly com-
plex model into small, manageable
“bite-sized” pieces, reference
another object in the same 3D
space as you work without worry-
ing about accidentally mangling
your reference material, and
perform complex modeling func-
tions such as Booleans, drilling,
and lofting.
Figure 2-21: Layers with contents have a little “divot” in the
upper-left corner of the Layer icons (like Layers 1 through 3,
numbered from left to right). Layers in the foreground have
their entire Layer icon highlighted, as does Layer 1. Layers in
the background have only the bottom half of their Layer icon
highlighted, like Layer 3.
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