Layers
The Layers panel stores named material-and-visibility snapshots of the scene. Each Layer records the material assigned to each part and which parts are visible, so you can switch between looks non-destructively.
Open from View ▸ Layers.
After unlocking the advanced UI, View ▸ New Panel ▸ Layers opens another Layers panel. Both panels edit the same document and stay synchronized.
What a layer is
The scene always has a master state: every part's own material and visibility as it was authored. A Layer is a named variation — it records per-part overrides you choose to make. When no layer is active, the scene shows the master state.
When the panel is empty, it shows: No saved looks yet. The scene is showing its master state — every part's own material and visibility. Capture current makes the first Layer out of exactly what you are looking at.
The Layers list
All layers appear in a list. The active layer is marked with a filled radio indicator. Each row shows a radio button, an "N hidden" count when parts are hidden in that layer, and a thumbnail marker. The tooltip reads Click the radio to apply this layer; double-click to rename.
To activate a layer: Click its radio indicator. This applies the layer's material and visibility overrides to the scene.
Double-click a layer's name to rename it.
Toolbar
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| New | Creates a new empty layer with no overrides |
| Capture current | Records the current material and visibility state of every part as a new layer |
| Duplicate | Copies the selected layer |
| Delete | Removes the selected layer |
| Render all layers | Adds one render job per layer to the Render Queue |
Stale warning
When references in a layer can no longer be resolved (for example, a part was removed), the warning N reference(s) in this layer could not be resolved — everything else still applies appears above the toolbar. The tooltip on the warning names the affected items.
Layer detail
Selecting a layer shows its configuration below the toolbar:
Bindings — optional explicit links for this layer:
| Field | Notes |
|---|---|
| Suite | Which Suite this layer applies; resolution order is layer → suite → master |
| Camera | Which camera to activate with this layer |
| Environment | Which environment preset to activate |
| Light set | Which light set to activate |
Records — which categories this layer stores overrides for; toggled with pills:
| Pill | Category |
|---|---|
| Materials | Per-part material assignments |
| Visibility | Per-part visibility |
| Camera | Camera binding |
| Environment | Environment binding |
| Lights | Light set binding |
Parts in this layer — a list of every part with an override in this layer, showing:
- Part name and the material this layer gives it. The material field is read-only; this panel does not create per-part Suite overrides.
- Visibility state in this layer
- A key diamond button — Hollow when there is no key at the playhead, Filled when a key exists. The tooltip reads Key this part's state at the playhead, or A key sits at the playhead — click to remove.
Below the parts list, a three-button bar applies to the selected layer:
| Button | Action |
|---|---|
| Reset part to master | Click a part's name first. Drops the per-comp placement override a drag wrote for that part and returns it to its master position. |
| Update from current | Overwrites the whole layer with the scene's current state |
| Update thumbnail | Re-captures the layer's thumbnail |
Animating layer switches
Layer animation uses a held-step channel: the layer stays active from one key until the next one. To key a part's state, click the key diamond in the detail list; the tooltip confirms Key this part's state at the playhead. Transitions between layer steps are handled by the Sequence band's LAYER track (types: Cut, Material fade, Dip to colour, Hold). See Sequence band.
Using layers with Suites
A Suite defines a reusable material selection for each multi-material set. A Layer can bind one Suite, so that activating the layer applies that Suite's material choices to all relevant parts at once. See Suites.