3DStudio: the Onion	beta 1.04 - April 03, 2003		send me mail
Main Interface
	The Onion is Layer System that sits on top of the max layering system. Features Layer Groups Merging Alternate Material Alternate Property Import of REZN8 LayerManager Information IMPORTANT Notes Max Layer system is based on Layer Names. Each layer name must be unique. When a file with layer data is merged in, re-launch theOnion to update the interface with any new layers. All new layers will be placed in the first group. Currently there is no method to merge group information in. If the merged file had laers with the same name, the objects on these layers will now exists on the layer of the same name.
Main Interface
	Layer Buttons (from left to right) Current Layer Hide/Unhide Layer Freeze Layer Toggle Alternate Material Toggle Alternate Property Expanded Menu -> for more options. Hidden Features Shift-Click extended menu button (the arrow) to select a layer. CTRL-Shift-Click extended menu button (the arrow) to select all layers in a group. Shift-Click hide/unhide to toggle all in group Freeze Layer Toggle Alternate Material Expanded Menu -> for more options.
Organize Layers Interface
	The Organize dialog is used to rearrange, rename and organize groups and layers. Features Right Click to rename Drag and Drop to Organize Add and Delete new groups
Preferences
	When adding objects to a layer, the objects can inherit properties of that layer. Toggle the 'Inherit on assignment" checkboxes to control what properties are inherited. Enabling 'Organize After Create' will bring up the organize dialog after a layer has been created. Allowing you to name and place it. Enabling 'Debug Mode' will cause debug statements about the code state to be printed to the listener
Understanding Layer Properties and Alternate Properties
	Within the Onion there are several ways to change the properties of an object. This section describes how it was intended to be used. Layer Properties The Properties for a layer can be accessed via the flyout menu 'Layer Properties'. By default, objects on a onion layer do not inherit the properties of the layer they are assigned to. (This can be changed in the Preferences dialog) However, by changing a property in the Layer Properties dialog, you effect all the object in the Layer. The intention for this was to quickly alter all the objects in a Layer. Alternate Properties Alternate Properties are defined via the flyout menu 'Define Alternate Property' and are toggled in the main viewport. Alternate Properties should be used much like alternate materials. The Define Alternate Property dialog allows you to choose WHICH properties to set when in alt property mode, and the value of the property you want to set. This is most helpful when you have a specific layer that needs to not cast shadows in one render pass, but not others. You can quickly toggle this setting and render the appropriate layers.
TO DO:
Code Cleanup debuging