Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Datablock “Users” and “Fake Users”
Datablocks hold data that is “used” by objects or other datablocks. These objects or other datablocks are called
the datablock's users. For example, if two 3D Mesh objects share the same Mesh datablock (which can be ac-
complished, for example, by doing a linked duplicate operation on a Mesh object with Alt+D), then that Mesh
datablock has two users. If a material is used by three different objects, then that Material datablock will have
three users. If an image is used in two different textures, then the Image datablock will have two users.
To see this in action, duplicate the default cube by pressing Shift+D to create two identical cubes, as shown
in Figure 1-6 .
Check the Material properties for one of the cubes. The material will be shared between the two objects and
therefore will have two users. The count of users (2) appears to the right of the material's name in the Material
drop-down menu, as shown in Figure 1-7 .
If you click the 2, a copy will be made of the material that is local to the current object. This creates a new
material (automatically named Material.001), which is not shared between multiple users, so it no longer has a
user count to the right of the material name, as shown in Figure 1-8 .
Figure 1-6 Duplicating the cube
 
 
 
 
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