[Bf-funboard] Layer Manager proposal/mock-up

[Karim Nassar]

I've put together a mock-up for a Layer Manager or properties window:

http://www.karimnassar.com/phoenix/images/blend_layers.jpg

I've found that when working on complex models, I use layers a lot to 
organize my model.

I've incorporated 3 new features into this panel that I would really 
love to have available, and I'm sure that others would find them usefull 
also:

Layer Naming: The user can name a layer by clicking on the text-input 
button for that layer in the Layer Properties window. When a Layer Name 
has been defined, mousing over the layer buttons in the 3-d view pop-up 
that Layer Name instead of the "Toggle Layer Visibility" tool-tip.

Layer Locking: This is different from the "Lock to Scene" control on the 
3-d window. Toggling this selection freezes the layer in it's current 
state-- visibility cannot be toggled without unlocking, and items on 
that layer cannot be selected or edited.

Ghost Layer: Toggles the layer as a "ghost" or reference layer. Ghost 
layers display in wireframe view as "lighter" than active layers. In 
shaded views, ghost layers display as wire-frame. Ghost layers do NOT 
render.

These toggles can be stacked, so a layer may be visible, locked, AND 
ghosted.

Other per-layer controls could also go in this panel, including perhaps 
wire-color settings.

Comments? Input?

--Karim