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Object and Materials window all in one

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 2:34 am
by Ernesto
Hello,
We have iin Maxwell Studio an Object list, and a Material list, in separated windows.
I do not see the advantage of this...
In my oppinion if only one window is used, where you have the object name, or the group name, with the material assigned as well as the visibility state, it will be much simplier, and practical.

Ernesto

Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 2:40 am
by Mihai
But what about one object with several materials applied to it?

Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2006 11:40 pm
by Ernesto
Well... I do not know.
Perhaps a list where you could have space for several materials for each object...

Anyway, the idea that bothers me, is that in my opinion it is not usefull to have a material list (isolated from objects) and objects lists (without any other info, as on or off status, or on or off to camera status)

If a list as the layers list in Autocad, is used, you can have all the info in one window, and there will not be any possibility of having unused materials or hiding to camera one object accidentally. It would be a great way to see the whole thing, instead of fragmenting the information unnecesarily.
I love to see if the objects that I am using are on or off, also if they are hidden to camera or not, It would be great if they are hidden to which camera, I like to know if they have a material assigned too, and would like to save "layer states" for each camera. This window will provide all that info in one view! that would be great!!!

It would be great too, if we could save objects states for certain cameras.
Lets suppose we have 4 objects, but we like to hide object 3 when seen from camera 2, and we like to hide object 1 but show object 3 when seen from camera 6. If automatic, you could plan it the first time, and you will not need to be sure everything is ok at the time of re rendering.

Ernesto

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 12:41 am
by Mihai
I like the idea of a separate material list for several reasons:

- much quicker to navigate through materials
- rightclick a material in the list and you can choose to select all objects which have that material applied
-gives me an idea of just how many materials are in the scene

It's true some icons are needed in the object list. But right now you know if an object has a material assigned or not (plus sign next to the object). You can see if the object is hidden or not (it's grey instead of orange). And if you click the plus sign you see the material(s) attached to it. So in a way you already have materials and objects in one list.

Posted: Sun Aug 27, 2006 8:15 pm
by Ernesto
I see you are right Mihai...
Anyway there is no obstacle to have both things.

For instance It could be possible to add groups of materials. Lets suppose each time you create a group of objects, the same group could be created in the materials list. That could be a way to keep things ordered in case of lots of materials....

Ernesto