Layers - Revision history

Datiswous: /* Alternatives */ added "selection focus" because I think it's related

2025-12-01T23:50:04Z

Alternatives: added "selection focus" because I think it's related

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:50, 1 December 2025
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	== Alternatives ==		== Alternatives ==
	There are no real alternatives to layers but ~~two~~ very convenient companions that you may use alongside:		There are no real alternatives to layers but three very convenient companions that you may use alongside:
	* Select anything you don't want to see and press {{Key\|H}} to hide it from view. Press {{Key\|Shift+H}} to show it again. If you hide a selection then all the elements you hid previously will remain invisible.		* Select anything you don't want to see and press {{Key\|H}} to hide it from view. Press {{Key\|Shift+H}} to show it again. If you hide a selection then all the elements you hid previously will remain invisible.
	* With [[Defining custom Filters in DarkRadiant\|filters]] you can hide specific kinds of entities or textures by using [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regex regular expressions].		* With [[Defining custom Filters in DarkRadiant\|filters]] you can hide specific kinds of entities or textures by using [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regex regular expressions].
	{{editing}}{{darkradiant}}		{{editing}}{{darkradiant}}
			* With "Selection Focus" you can select some things, go into "Selection Focus" mode (Default key Ctrl-F, if you want to modify the key, it's named "ToggleSelectionFocus") and then you can modify those things without being able to select and modify surrounding elements in the map, but the surroundings are still visible when "Selection focus" is active, while with filters and layers other things get hidden in order to focus on specific things.

Thebigh: /* How to Assign Elements to Layers */ typo

2021-05-27T11:23:54Z

How to Assign Elements to Layers: typo

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:23, 27 May 2021
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	Select one or more elements and then right click anywhere in the orthogonal view. At the bottom of the context menu you should see the following items:		Select one or more elements and then right click anywhere in the orthogonal view. At the bottom of the context menu you should see the following items:
	* '''Create Layer...''': Same as ''New'' in the layer inspector.		* '''Create Layer...''': Same as ''New'' in the layer inspector.
	* '''Add to Layer...''': If you add something to a layer, it will become a member of this layer but also remains in the layers it ~~alrady~~ belongs to.		* '''Add to Layer...''': If you add something to a layer, it will become a member of this layer but also remains in the layers it already belongs to.
	* '''Move to Layer...''': Same as above, but the element will exclusively be a member of the newly assigned layer.		* '''Move to Layer...''': Same as above, but the element will exclusively be a member of the newly assigned layer.
	* '''Remove from Layer...''': Removes an element from a layer. Note that the list shows all layers, not only those that the selected element is a member of.		* '''Remove from Layer...''': Removes an element from a layer. Note that the list shows all layers, not only those that the selected element is a member of.


	== Alternatives ==		== Alternatives ==

Lostbuthappy: assigned categories

2009-12-20T02:39:07Z

assigned categories

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:39, 20 December 2009
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	* Select anything you don't want to see and press {{Key\|H}} to hide it from view. Press {{Key\|Shift+H}} to show it again. If you hide a selection then all the elements you hid previously will remain invisible.		* Select anything you don't want to see and press {{Key\|H}} to hide it from view. Press {{Key\|Shift+H}} to show it again. If you hide a selection then all the elements you hid previously will remain invisible.
	* With [[Defining custom Filters in DarkRadiant\|filters]] you can hide specific kinds of entities or textures by using [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regex regular expressions].		* With [[Defining custom Filters in DarkRadiant\|filters]] you can hide specific kinds of entities or textures by using [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regex regular expressions].
			{{editing}}{{darkradiant}}

Lostbuthappy at 16:51, 19 December 2009

2009-12-19T16:51:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:51, 19 December 2009
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	== Alternatives ==		== Alternatives ==
	There are no real alternatives to layers but two very convenient companions that you may use alongside:		There are no real alternatives to layers but two very convenient companions that you may use alongside:
	* Select anything you don't want to see and press {{Key\|H}} to hide it from view. Press {{Key\|Shift+H}} to show it again. ~~All~~ the elements you ~~have already hidden~~ will remain invisible.		* Select anything you don't want to see and press {{Key\|H}} to hide it from view. Press {{Key\|Shift+H}} to show it again. If you hide a selection then all the elements you hid previously will remain invisible.
	* With [[Defining custom Filters in DarkRadiant\|filters]] you can hide specific kinds of entities or textures.		* With [[Defining custom Filters in DarkRadiant\|filters]] you can hide specific kinds of entities or textures by using [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regex regular expressions].

Lostbuthappy at 16:47, 19 December 2009

2009-12-19T16:47:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:47, 19 December 2009
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	* '''Add to Layer...''': If you add something to a layer, it will become a member of this layer but also remains in the layers it alrady belongs to.		* '''Add to Layer...''': If you add something to a layer, it will become a member of this layer but also remains in the layers it alrady belongs to.
	* '''Move to Layer...''': Same as above, but the element will exclusively be a member of the newly assigned layer.		* '''Move to Layer...''': Same as above, but the element will exclusively be a member of the newly assigned layer.
	* '''Remove from Layer...''': Removes an element from a layer. Note that the shows all layers, not only those that the selected element is a member of.		* '''Remove from Layer...''': Removes an element from a layer. Note that the list shows all layers, not only those that the selected element is a member of.

Lostbuthappy at 16:45, 19 December 2009

2009-12-19T16:45:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:45, 19 December 2009
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	* By clicking on the checkbox to the left of the layer name you can show/hide a layer respectively it's elements		* By clicking on the checkbox to the left of the layer name you can show/hide a layer respectively it's elements
	* Clicking the layer name itself will select/deselect all members of that layer.		* Clicking the layer name itself will select/deselect all members of that layer.
	* The two buttons to the right of the ~~label~~ name allow you to change ~~the~~ name and delete a layer (in that order). If you delete a layer, it's elements will not be removed from the map, but assigned to the Default layer instead.		* The two buttons to the right of the layer name allow you to change it's name and to delete a layer (in that order). If you delete a layer, it's elements will not be removed from the map, but assigned to the Default layer instead.
	* Click on ''New'' to create a new layer. You'll be prompted to give it a unique and - preferably - meaningful name.		* Click on ''New'' to create a new layer. You'll be prompted to give it a unique and - preferably - meaningful name.

Lostbuthappy: Rewrote the article, explained new features and changed/resized the screenshots (wuxga is a bit heavy)

2009-12-19T16:39:53Z

Rewrote the article, explained new features and changed/resized the screenshots (wuxga is a bit heavy)

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:39, 19 December 2009
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	~~:'''Brief~~ Overview:~~'''~~		== Overview ==
	::The idea of layers to organize and simplify the users experience in editing media is not a new one. Photoshop ~~has it~~ as well as several 3D programs, ~~and now DarkRadiant joins~~ the ~~list~~ of ~~programs~~ to ~~feature this powerful~~ tool.		[[Image:LayerInspector.jpg\|thumb\|368px\|right\|The layer inspector]]
			The idea of layers to organize and simplify the users experience in editing media is not a new one. Most image editing software like Photoshop or The Gimp have this feature as well as several 3D modeling/mapping programs, including Dark Radiant, of course. If you are new to the concept of layers, just imagine them as a convenient way to hide elements that are currently in the way.
			Please note that layers are only a tool to organize your map, they have no effect in the game.

	~~:'''Usage:'''~~
	::In 2D applications in which you edit images such as in photoshop, the layers are used to turn off/on certain parts of the image, and/or add special effects to that layer. Things work a bit differently in 3D applications as a layer can consist of anything you want in a 3D space, whether the parts of the layer are in front, below, above, behind it doesn't matter.
	::To use the layers inspector, first we have to open it. This is done by using either the menu or the keyboard shortcut. The default shortcut is '''''Ctrl+L''''', otherwise use the menu to open it (View->Layers) as shown in the screenshot below. As you can see their is already a layer created for you called '''Default'''. When creating a map, everything will be created in this layer which is fine for a small test map, but as a map grows in complexity and size it is a good idea to try and segregate components of the map to make the mapping process easier.

	::[[Image:~~Layers_01~~.jpg]]		[[Image:Layers_enabled.jpg\|368px\|thumb\|right\|Without layers, working in this cluttered space would be a nightmare...]]
			== The Layer Inspector ==
			To use Dark Radiant's layer feature, open the layer inspector with the default shortcut {{Key\|Ctrl+L}} or via the View->Layers menu entry. If you haven't tinkered with layers yet you should see a list with exactly one entry called ''Default'' (unlike in the screenshot to the right). This is the layer that Dark Radiant automatically creates for you when you begin a new map and that every element belongs to unless you reassign it. It is in every map and can not be removed.

	:~~:For example~~ in ~~my current~~ map, ~~it is almost impossible~~ to ~~continue~~ to ~~map without layers~~. ~~Here is~~ a ~~screenshot of how things look when I open my map~~.		In the layer inspector window you can do the following things:
			* By clicking on the checkbox to the left of the layer name you can show/hide a layer respectively it's elements
			* Clicking the layer name itself will select/deselect all members of that layer.
			* The two buttons to the right of the label name allow you to change the name and delete a layer (in that order). If you delete a layer, it's elements will not be removed from the map, but assigned to the Default layer instead.
			* Click on ''New'' to create a new layer. You'll be prompted to give it a unique and - preferably - meaningful name.

	~~::http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/1691/layer04kp0.jpg~~

	:~~:Now I can turn hide an entire group~~ of ~~objects/brushes/etc~~. ~~by clicking on~~ the ~~checkmark~~ of the ~~appropriate~~ layer.		[[Image:Layers_disabled.jpg\|368px\|thumb\|right\|...but with most of the layers hidden from view everything becomes clear again.]]
	:~~:For example when I need to~~ add to ~~the bottom cave I turn off almost all~~ the layers ~~that I don~~'~~t need~~. ~~Right now the tower is in the Default layer~~, but will be ~~moved to it's own~~ layer ~~called~~ '''~~Tower~~''' ~~later when it's finished~~.		== How to Assign Elements to Layers ==
			Select one or more elements and then right click anywhere in the orthogonal view. At the bottom of the context menu you should see the following items:
			* '''Create Layer...''': Same as ''New'' in the layer inspector.
			* '''Add to Layer...''': If you add something to a layer, it will become a member of this layer but also remains in the layers it alrady belongs to.
			* '''Move to Layer...''': Same as above, but the element will exclusively be a member of the newly assigned layer.
			* '''Remove from Layer...''': Removes an element from a layer. Note that the shows all layers, not only those that the selected element is a member of.

	~~::http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6417/layer05vl2.jpg~~

	~~::To use the~~ layers~~, first open the layers manager by using either the shortcut or the menu. Click on the '''New''' button. This will then ask~~ you ~~what~~ you want to ~~call the layer. Call it whatever you want, for example I want~~ to ~~group all the trees in my level into one layer, so I'll call~~ it ~~'''Trees'''~~.		== Alternatives ==
			There are no real alternatives to layers but two very convenient companions that you may use alongside:
	~~::The next step is~~ to ~~select everything that you want to be on that layer either one at a time, several at a time or all at a time~~. ~~Now with my trees selected, right click any ortho view and select~~ the ~~option '''Move to layer''' and~~ you should see a list of layers listed. Move your mouse over top of the layer you want to add them to and left click the layer name. My trees are now on that layer. I can turn off that layer, by clicking on the check mark next to the layer, and everything in it will ~~now be hidden~~.		* Select anything you don't want to see and press {{Key\|H}} to hide it from view. Press {{Key\|Shift+H}} to show it again. All the elements you have already hidden will remain invisible.
			* With [[Defining custom Filters in DarkRadiant\|filters]] you can hide specific kinds of entities or textures.
	~~::If I want to add some more trees to the level, I~~ can ~~then select the new ones and do the same procedure to add to the new layer~~.

AluminumHaste at 02:28, 15 July 2008

2008-07-15T02:28:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:28, 15 July 2008
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	::http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6417/layer05vl2.jpg		::http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6417/layer05vl2.jpg

			::To use the layers, first open the layers manager by using either the shortcut or the menu. Click on the '''New''' button. This will then ask you what you want to call the layer. Call it whatever you want, for example I want to group all the trees in my level into one layer, so I'll call it '''Trees'''.

			::The next step is to select everything that you want to be on that layer either one at a time, several at a time or all at a time. Now with my trees selected, right click any ortho view and select the option '''Move to layer''' and you should see a list of layers listed. Move your mouse over top of the layer you want to add them to and left click the layer name. My trees are now on that layer. I can turn off that layer, by clicking on the check mark next to the layer, and everything in it will now be hidden.

			::If I want to add some more trees to the level, I can then select the new ones and do the same procedure to add to the new layer.

AluminumHaste at 07:16, 12 July 2008

2008-07-12T07:16:16Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:16, 12 July 2008
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	::Now I can turn hide an entire group of objects/brushes/etc. by clicking on the checkmark of the appropriate layer.		::Now I can turn hide an entire group of objects/brushes/etc. by clicking on the checkmark of the appropriate layer.
	::For example when I need to add to the bottom cave I turn off almost all the layers that I don't need. Right now the tower is in the Default layer, but will be moved to it's own layer called '''~~Castle~~''' later when it's finished.		::For example when I need to add to the bottom cave I turn off almost all the layers that I don't need. Right now the tower is in the Default layer, but will be moved to it's own layer called '''Tower''' later when it's finished.

	::http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6417/layer05vl2.jpg		::http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6417/layer05vl2.jpg

AluminumHaste at 07:01, 12 July 2008

2008-07-12T07:01:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:01, 12 July 2008
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	~~=Layers=~~

	:'''Brief Overview:'''		:'''Brief Overview:'''
	::The idea of layers to organize and simplify the users experience in editing media is not a new one. Photoshop has it as well as several 3D programs, and now DarkRadiant joins the list of programs to feature this powerful tool.		::The idea of layers to organize and simplify the users experience in editing media is not a new one. Photoshop has it as well as several 3D programs, and now DarkRadiant joins the list of programs to feature this powerful tool.
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	::[[Image:Layers_01.jpg]]		::[[Image:Layers_01.jpg]]

	:~~'''A Short Layers Tutorial'''~~		::For example in my current map, it is almost impossible to continue to map without layers. Here is a screenshot of how things look when I open my map.
	:~~:In order~~ to ~~help you understand the flexibility~~ of ~~the layer system,~~ I ~~have written this short tutorial~~. ~~So on to step 1;~~
			::http://img57.imageshack.us/img57/1691/layer04kp0.jpg

	::~~1. First we are going to create a small test room. So create a box that is 512x512x256 and texture it with caulk~~. ~~Now click~~ on the ~~'''Make Room''' button to hollow out~~ the ~~room~~. ~~Now~~ add the ~~player starting point and texture~~ the ~~inside surfaces however you like~~. ~~Your room should resemble~~ the ~~screenshot below.~~		::Now I can turn hide an entire group of objects/brushes/etc. by clicking on the checkmark of the appropriate layer.
	~~::http://img519.imageshack.us/img519/5081/layer02dw0.jpg~~		::For example when I need to add to the bottom cave I turn off almost all the layers that I don't need. Right now the tower is in the Default layer, but will be moved to it's own layer called '''Castle''' later when it's finished.
	~~::2. Now we are going to add four rooms like~~ in the ~~screenshot below.~~
	~~::http://img235.imageshack.us/img235/6628/layer03en2~~.~~jpg~~

	::3. ~~Now we are going to populate the rooms with many objects to make the working space more cluttered~~. ~~Add in whatever you want~~.		::http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/6417/layer05vl2.jpg