[Bf-funboard] Layers: alternative buttons

[Alexander Ewering]

Hello Thorsten,

let me comment on the "Future Blender" ideas at the end of
your proposal

(http://wrstud.urz.uni-wuppertal.de/~ka0394/en/blender_ui/layers/index.html)

- Thinking of layers as saved selections or groups.

Yah. Thinking. That doesn't need any coding, does it? :)

- Managing layers (selections of objects) and vertex groups (selection of
  elements of a object) in a treeview.

Could be easily accomplished by making OOPs show parent relationships.

- Nodes of the tree can have options/parameters asigned to them. These are
  inherited by the children. (Example: Assigning a material to all objects in
  a group by assigning it only to the group object)

Already possible with the SHIFT-G menu (select all children) and
CTRL-C (Copy properties)

- Organizing materials in a tree, of course with inheritance. (Easily create
  color variations of a material and keep them all in sync.)

I have never needed such an option, but well, it may be considerable.

- Use number keys for toggling things different from layer visibility, if
  you like. That is, assigning shortcuts to options of the objects in the
  treeview

Appears a bit like overkill to me. Too many options with too little use.

- Filter/sort/organize: List all materials and see which objects have them
  asigned. Sort objects alphabeticaly by name, independent from layers.

Already possible by using databrowse / SHIFT-L->Materials

- Select objects by attributes.

What attributes? Already possible by:

 - Layer membership
 - Data block
 - Material
 - Texture
 - IPO
 - Parent relationship
 - Children relationships

Just a few comments, should you have been unaware of some
of the existing feautes ;-)


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