Nested Layer Manager 2 For 3ds Max

Sorry you’re having problems with NLM. I’ve looked into this issue a few times, and I’m sorry to say I really don’t know why it’s happening. I’ve never been able to reliably recreate it on my machine, but a few people have emailed about the problem. 3ds Max does some really weird things with window positioning, and I’m pretty sure it is something going on with Max itself. I’m using a standard form and simply hiding it, so I don’t understand how it can create this odd behaviour.

Sorry I can’t be of more help. If I do find out why it is happening, I’ll release a fix.

Cheers
Tim

It's gone. Is there any info about it?
=====================================
Nevermind, I found his works in GitHub up to version 3 (written in C# as a plugin instead of Maxscript).
https://github.com/timhawker/nlm3

I've installed the plugin Nested Layer Manager and have set it in my toolbar. I've also set a hotkey to open and close the manager.

The problem is that when I use the hotkey the manager will open, but pressing the hotkey will not only close the manager but also flip me over to my most recently used application (like Windows Explorer, Photoshop, etc). This also occurs when I open the manager via the button or hotkey, and then attemp to close it by pressing the close X button.

Any ideas on how to fix this? Tnx

http://www.timsportfolio.co.uk/2014/10/nested-layer-manager-3-beta-1/

:)

http://www.timsportfolio.co.uk/2014/08/nested-layer-manager-3-sneak-peak…

Tim, this is amazing ;-)

Regarding Nested Layer Manager and 3ds Max 2015, please look at the blog post I have published here.

Update: https://twitter.com/timsportfolio/status/451097904682266624 :)

Hi,

I've just released an update to Nested Layer Manager 2, with various bug fixes and new features. It is available to download from your Purchase History, and you do not have to re-activate when installing this update.

For a full list of changes, please have a look at the changelog.

The demo version has also been updated for those who would like to try it.

Many thanks, and I really hope you enjoy the new update.

Tim

Hi,

I've just released an update to Nested Layer Manager 2, with various bug fixes and new features. It is available to download from your Purchase History, and you do not have to re-activate when installing this update.

For a full list of changes, please have a look at the changelog.

The demo version has also been updated for those who would like to try it.

Many thanks, and I really hope you enjoy the new update.

Tim

since last update the NLM don't update the List if i clone/create an obj.
i must open & Close the layer to view the newly created object.
Any suggestions?

Layer Manager 2.2.2 Pro
@ Max2012-64bit, Nitrus

Hi Fsacco, thanks for the bug report. I'll take a look into this and fix it for the next release which should be out soon. Sorry you are having problems.

Hi thank you for answering,
i have another older bug.
if i renanme an object to suddenly the same or empty Name and will escape:
NLM hang with a red cross. i must restart max.
Any idear?

Hi,

I've just released an update to Nested Layer Manager 2, with a few bug fixes for some reported issues from the latest release. It is available to download from your Purchase History, and you do not have to re-activate when installing this update.

For a full list of changes, please have a look at the changelog.

The demo version has also been updated for those who would like to try it.

Many thanks, and I really hope you enjoy the new update.

Tim

Thanks! One of the most useful script for max!

Hi,

Today I have released an update to Nested Layer Manager 2, with various bug fixes and support for 3ds Max 2014. It is available to download from your Purchase History, and you do not have to re-activate when installing this update.

I have also updated the demo version for anyone that would like to try it.

For a full list of changes, please have a look at the changelog.

Many thanks, and I really hope you enjoy the new update.

Hi Fsacco, I have fixed this bug and will be releasing an update soon so this no longer occurs. :)

Hi! this is a great script but i would like to know if there's any posibility to have the ability to make the interface narrower, as of right now it can't be made less than 335 pixels wide. I believe this is because of the buttons at the top, maybe split it in two rows when scaling down this limit?

Thanks! keep up the great work.

Interesting idea about the narrower interface. Perhaps a more elegant solution would be to have the buttons vertically on the left. I will have a play and if it works well include this in a future update.

the same bug as cecofuli... when i close max with opened nlm, max and nlm crashes... its really annoying

i have the same bug ... when i close max with opened nlm, max and nlm crashes... its really annoying

Hi Cecofuli. Thanks for the feedback. I'm aware of the first bug and the next release will fix this. At the moment if you right click and duplicate a folder, NLM will close. I will look into the second bug and fix that too.

Cheers
Tim

Hi Tim,
I have, from 70% to 90% during my working days, two bug.

(1). When I simply clone an object or obects, NLM crashes
(2). Sometime, when I close my 3ds max session, I have a NLM crash.

Today I have released an update to Nested Layer Manager 2 with a tonne of extra features. Some noteworthy additions are the Searchbar, the Dockable UI, Layer and Object Properties Dialogs, Folders included on File > Merge, API documentation for controlling NLM with MaxScript, and Online Bug Reports. It is available to download from your Purchase History, and you do not have to re-activate when installing this update. The demo version has also been updated to 2.2.0 for anyone that would like to try it out.

SearchBar

Nested Layer Manager 2 now includes a search bar under the array of buttons. Type the name of the folder, layer or object you are trying to find, hit enter and it will be selected while hiding everything else. Any part of a name that matches the search will be shown, for example searching for "layer" will show both layers called "layer01" and "layer02" but hide a layer called "hideme".

Dockable UI

Finally NLM is dockable in 3ds Max! To dock NLM, right click anywhere in the main window and select "Dock to Left" or "Dock to Right". To undock, right click and select "Undock". If you close and re-open NLM, it will remember your previous dock position and size. (Annoyingly when docked windows cannot be resized, so to resize please undock, resize, then dock again)

Layer and Object Properties

Just like the original Layer Manager, Layer and Object Properties Dialogs are now accessed by clicking on their icon.

Folders included on File > Merge

Files saved with NLM version 2.2.0 or higher will now be able to import folders on File > Merge.

API Documentation

A few companies have requested certain NLM features are accessable via maxscript to easily control it with some scripts. For this reason I have implemented a small API with some functions that allow you to create folders, create layers within folders, and move layers into folders. At the moment the commands are relatively basic, but I will be adding more functionality as it is requested. For more information please visit the documentation page here

Online Bug Reports

The new bug reporting system works exactly like the old one, except when you click "Yes" it will email me the log report rather than you having to send it. There is an extra text box for you to add any information that may help me fix the bug. Of course I would prefer that bugs never happen, but I hope you can understand that this system needs to be put in place when creating complicated software.

And Finally...

Many thanks, and I really hope you enjoy the new update!

Tim

I have to wait from 3d Studio Max 4 to max 2013 for a good Layer manager. This is so crazy! Thanks Tim ;)

A preview of 2.2.0 with UI Docking, Search Box and many other features! http://i.imgur.com/l3JQb.png

maybe search layer for future features

It's on the to do list :-)

Today I’ve released a large update to Nested Layer Manager. It now supports the current colour scheme set, and has considerable performance enhancements.

After much thought and discussion with some customers, I have decided to implement a simple activation system into Nested Layer Manager. When first running Nested Layer Manager, you will be required to enter the license key provided when you purchased it. Internet access will be required for this, but after that you are completely free to use it as you did previously. You can see the entire list of changes on the change log.

You can download the new udpate by logging into your purchase history. To update, simply drag the .mzp file into the 3ds max viewport and click ‘install’.

The demo has also bee updated for people that would like to try it, and you can use this version for 30 days even if you tried version 2.0.x.

Thanks, and I hope you’re enjoying the plugin :)

Tim

Thank you!!! Great work

Today I've released an update to Nested Layer Manager. It includes a few requested features as well as bug fixes. The full changelog can be seen here.

You can download the new udpate by logging into your purchase history. To update, simply drag the .mzp file into the 3ds max viewport and click 'install'. The demo has also bee updated for people that would like to try it.

Thanks, and I hope you're enjoying the plugin :)

Tim

Hi Tim...
Mmm.. this is the first time I had this type of crash, after 0.5sec I click render button. But, yes, the Log.txt, I don't know why, is 0 KB. It's not a scriptspot upload error. Ok, doesn't matter =)

Hi Tim, I click render (VRay) and NML crashes. I lost all my Layer folder, group etc...

Hi cecofuli,

I'm very sorry to hear that. Unfortunately it looks like the error log report contains nothing - perhaps there was an error uploading?

Did this happen once or has it happened a few times? I will try and replicate this to find any possible bugs. I'll also solifify the error saving process, as well as add a background autosave every few minutes or so.

Again, sorry that you lost your folder information. I do hope that you had a recent incremental save.

Tim

@ cecofuli

Thanks for the 3 suggestions. They are all very good ideas and I'll be sure to add them to NLM, most probably in the next version. I did see your last two suggestions, but I decided 2.0.2 should focus on bug fixes as I had found a few that needed solving. 2.0.3 will mainly consist of new features :)

@ JokerMartini

Thanks very much, loving the scripts you are producing too. Keep up the great work.

@ Joe8104

I honestly don't know what to suggest. I have still yet to replicate this issue in any version of max and any version of windows. I even reinstalled windows and max 2012 just to see if I could replicate this, and it installed fine. The only thing I can suggest is to install manually. To do this unzip the .mzp file (just rename to .zip and it will unzip with anything) and then do the following:

Copy the contents of userScripts to: (getDir #userScripts)
Copy the contents of userIcons to: (getDir #userIcons)
Copy the contents of userMacros to: (getDir #userMacros)

I'm trying to work out what could be causing this, but when I can't replicate the same behaviour it makes it very difficult to bug fix :/

Hi Tim,
Finally i found the problem. The reason for not installing was very "stupid" and it is a browser issue. I am using Opera and for some reason it convert the file from .mzp to .zip. And i was trying to install the script from installer.mse, which is in this "archive". But when i renamed the file to .mzp everything was working fine. Now i only get one error message, but the script is working without problems after that. You can see screen shot and error log attached bellow.

This is great script. Sorry if i bought any problems.

Thanks for letting me know that it works, that's great to hear. I didn't even think of that being the issue - doh! It was even in my faq so I should definitely have thought of that!

http://www.timsportfolio.co.uk/faq/

I think I'll add a check in the installer to make sure this does not happen again, as well as notifying opera users to rename it back to .mzp. Seems really stupid that a browser would rename a file extension.

Thanks for the log report, I'm not sure why that happened but it could be because of the manual installs/running the installer.ms first. I'll look into that too :)

Just to clarify, does Nested Layer Manager start and run ok now?

Tim

Tim, thanks for the my fix and upgrade ;) Create script!!! I think you did see my last two request:

(1)NEW REQUEST: I Like the possibility to select the obj in the scene and open the tree NLM to highlight the OBJ. But, when you have 10.000 obj this is slow. So, why not only highlight only the corresponding layer? When you manage the scene to test rendering etc... I don't need to open the entire tree. This option could be add in the preference dialog.
(2)NEW REQUEST: When I select +2 more layers, right click, "add the current layers to a new folder"

A new request:

(3) If I click the button called "Create Layer (Add selection)" automatically NLM changes the current Layer (usually Layer 0) to the new Layer. In my work-flow this is not very useful. In fact, every time I have to change it to Layer 0 again. Could you add a "checkbox" in the setting dialogue?

Great tool Tim. You've created a solid asset here. Keep up the work.

Hi,
I am trying to install the plugin, but with no luck. When i drop the intaller in Max and press Install, no files are copied. It says installation complete, but when i look at customize... i can not find Nested layers button. I think i do everything correct. Max 2012 x64 / Win7 x64

Hmmm, that's very strange. You're definitely doing everything right. I tested it in Max 2012 x64 last night and it worked fine. Could you please let me know two things:

Is this the demo version of nested layer manager?
Does max 2012 have at least service pack 1 installed?

It's odd that the white text box is blank - it should be full of text stating that it successfully or unsuccessfully copied over each file.

I've have a look into this issue asap.

Hi Tim,
Thanks for fast reply.
1. Yes, this is the demo version.
2. And yes, Max is with SP2 and few days ago i`ve updated it to the latest Product Update 9.

Thanks for the extra information. I'll have a test when I get home to see if I can simulate the issue to try and work out what is going on.

Things you can try in the mean time:
Use maxscript > run script and run the installer that way.
Restart max and then check customise user interface.
Run 3ds max as an admin and try to install via maxscript > run script. (no need to run max as an admin all the time, just to install)

Hopefully one of the above will work, but I will have a look into this asap.

I've looked into this issue and the only way I can see this happening is if you have your 3ds Max user directory somewhere where there is no non-administrator write access, which would fail the installer.

For example running this for me:
getDir #maxData; getDir #userScripts

Gets me this result:
"C:\Users\Tim\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2009 - 64bit\enu\"
"C:\Users\Tim\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsmax\2009 - 64bit\enu\scripts"

AppData is a directory that has both read and write access for non-admins, so it is used a lot for programs since Windows Vista's UAC kicked in.

If your directories are different to AppData and do not have write access then the files would fail to be copied over. I will update the installer so that it knows it has failed though.

If this is the problem, running 3ds max as an admin to install NLM would fix the issue, but your preferences will probably not be saved when running 3ds max normally.

Please let me know if you still can't get it working and I will have a further look into what could be causing the problem. No matter how much I try I can't replicate the issue though :/

Hi Tim,
This is what i get:
"C:\Users\Joe\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\enu\"
"C:\Users\Joe\AppData\Local\Autodesk\3dsMax\2012 - 64bit\enu\scripts"

I tried with Run as admin also, but still not installing (account on my PC is only one and it is admin account). Is there some log or something, which i can send you? I will try with fresh Max install to see if it will work.

I'm really sorry to hear that you are having problems installing NLM.

Are you running any antivirus software? Perhaps the AV software is detecting and removing NLM on install. (It's certainly not a virus!)

I'm still trying to recreate this issue but it is installing perfectly every time.

After trying to install NLM, could you please check these folders to see if they contain any files:

(getDir #userScripts) should contain a folder called nestedLayerManager with 9 files.
(getDir #userIcons) should contain a folder called nestedLayerManager with 34 files.
(getDir #userMacros) should contain a file called Layers-nestedLayerManagerMacro.mcr

A huge thank you if you can help with this!

Tim

Yes, i am using AV program - Microsoft Security Essentials.

1. yes, there is a folder with this name, but it is empty.
2. again, there is a folder with this name, but it is empty.
3. there is no such file in this directory.

I have stopped MSE and tried to install your script, but again the same thing happen - not installed. This is strange for me too, all other scripts and plugins are installing without any problems.

(update) I tried fresh Max 2011 install on another PC. Same thing here, not installing.

Today I've released an update to Nested Layer Manager. This update is mainly bug fixes for reported problems. I was going to spend time adding some features for the next release, but decided this release should be aimed mainly at stability.

The full changelog can be seen here.

You can download the new udpate by logging into your purchase history. To update, simply drag the .mzp file into the 3ds max viewport and click 'install'. The demo has also bee updated for people that would like to try it.

Thanks, and I hope you're enjoying the plugin :)

Tim

www.timsportfolio.co.uk

tim@timsportfolio.co.uk

Thanks Cecofuli, I'll fix this for the next release. :)

Hi Tim, crash when I use the "attachSelectedObjecs" (without UI) script by Soulburn. LINK = http://www.neilblevins.com/cg_tools/soulburnscripts/soulburnscripts.htm

Thanks for the suggestions, I'll add them to the to-do list :)

Hello,

Nice layer manager, but can you make it more compatible for a dark color scheme?

Thanks

NEW REQUEST: I Like the possibility to select the obj in the scene and open the tree NLM to highlight the OBJ. But, when you have 10.000 obj this is slow. So, why not only highlight only the corresponding layer? When you manage the scene to test rendering etc... I don't need to open the entire tree. This option could be add in the preference dialog.
NEW REQUEST: When I select +2 more layers, right click, "add the current layers to a new folder"

Today I've released an update to Nested Layer Manager. This update has a few bug fixes and some feature requests that I have been asked to implement.

The full changelog can be seen here.

You can download the new udpate by logging into your purchase history. To update, simply drag the .mzp file into the 3ds max viewport and click 'install'.

Alternatively the demo version has been updated too, and is free and fully functional for 30 days :)

Thanks, and I hope you're enjoying the plugin :)

Tim

I said it before but i'll say it again, but screw Autodesk for not including basic functionality like this as default in 3dsmax that I payed a whopping three thousand quid for. Instead they continue to add nonsense features instead of fixing what already exists. Autodesk developers, take a leaf out of Cinema4D and make the damn basics more usable! :(

Hi Tim, congratulation!
another request: "Layers/Folder State Set". If I have 100 layers and, for a specific task, I want only some layer/folder on. Perfect. I want to save this "state" inside NLM. I know, we have the default Scene State, but not inside NLM and not with nasted folder. In attachment a new report.
Thanks

After a long Beta testing period, version 2.0.0 is finally out :)

Thank you to everyone that has sent in bug reports and feature requests. They have been really helpful to the development of this script.

After a lot of consideration and due to the popularity of the script, I’ve decided to charge a small amount for commercial use. The beta version is still completely free, but the final version is not. This way I’ll be able to devote more time to this project and ensure that I can add some cool features. Thank you to everyone that chooses to support me.

@cecofuli
Thanks for the feature requests! I've added a few to version 2.0.0 final, and will add more in future updates. :)

Thanks again
Tim

My first wish-list:

(*) you have a folder with 10 layers inside. If some of this layers are off, the folder icon are double: one with light OFF and one with light ON. If I click this icon, all the layers will be disable. Ok, perfect! But If I click again all the layer inside, ALL will return again visible. This behaviour sometime is useful, some time no! There is a possibility to "remember" the layer visibility? For example, with Click-ALT? And/Or add this as option in Setting dialogue.

(*) Add, in the right mouse, the command "Add selected object to layer", like in the TOP icon. This speed up the work-flow.

(*) If I select the some object on the view-port, NLM show the correct layer and NLM highlight the object, like in The Outliner script

(*) Right click and "Show as box mode" for Layers and/or folder. Helpful for speed-up the view-port. OR, better, like in the ONION, there is a TAB called "Layer properties" where you can check-unchek a lot of properties, like the default 3ds max "Objects Properties"

(*) Remove Empty layer. I know, there is a "Cleaner script". But I think this tool must be directly on NLM.

(*) Right click on leyer = Delete current layer

For now, that's all

real08121985, this script solve my problem!!! Thank you! the problem was I've 5.000.000 Reactor collision. But in max 2011 we don't have reactor!!!

TimHawker, thank you great script

@real08121985
thank you your script clean everything :)

No Tim, I'm in short deadline now. I don't have the time to "test" with different max version etc... I want to upgrade all our machines to max 2013, after the first 3ds max SP, when all the plugs will be ready for max 2013. Usually I jump every two max version. But I read also in max 2012 we have the same "increase" bug.
Website are full of "3ds max scene quadruples in size after save" thread. Type, for example: "3ds max save size" in Google. Crazy!!!

Nice! And I think this VGScript creates the same instability on zookeeper Layer manager system. Sometimes Zookeeper crashes. I don't remember exactly when, but I use this script a lot in my work-flow, very usefull! Also I ask to Vlado (chaosgroup) if this "strange behavior" is for VRay or Max bug. But I think it's a max bug! And NLM is very sensible about this "increase" (reas as slow FPS)

http://www.chaosgroup.com/forums/vbulletin/showthread.php?68402-VRayCame…

You can download the scene and see with your eyes.

This is such odd behaviour by Max. I just tried a quick test in Max 2009 and could not replicate this huge file size issue. I'm sure I've had it in the past though but never thought what could be causing it. I have had the 'saving at 1MB a second' bug before when saving a 1.5GB file... I left the PC for half an hour lol. Thankfully a merge fixed the issue.

Dumb question, but have you updated to the latest service packs? Also, do you get this in any other Max version?

Cecofuli, I've had a look through VGScripts and have found why it caused NLM to crash.

If you select more that one object and rotate them 90 degrees using the VGScript, it works by grouping everything and then rotating, then deleting the group. 3ds Max fires a 'node added' callback and NLM tries to add the deleted group header. This understandably causes a system exception.

I've worked out a way of trapping this behaviour and now NLM is stable during such operations. :)

The huge file size increase is insane!! I wonder what Max is doing with all those extra MB... I'm going to look into ways of making NLM more efficient, but I have a feeling that this one may just be Max being Max.

Tim, I don't know why, but today this happen 3-4 time! Max has some serious bug. When I merge some stuff from different files or library, the max files size becomes so huge. For example, if I add, I don't know, 2 tables or one camera, from 127 MB to 450MB!!! And NML starts to slow down. Obviously, I cannot have a 450 MB file, so I clean-up with my usual trick. And NML becomes again fluid. I use max 2011 64 bit. About the script error (rotate90z), I don't know why this happen :(

Cecofuli, this is great! Thanks so much for the detailed bug reporting. It is a HUGE help to get a video example and log reports back. I'll try and replicate some of these issues myself tonight and work on some fixes. The viewport slowdown seems so random - sometimes it's slow, sometimes not. Very odd. :/

Tim

Mmm... again the same error. But I think this happens when I use the Script "Rotate 90z" from VGScripts. When I click this shortcut, after my Copy as Istance, NLM crashes.

http://www.vg2max.spb.ru/release/VGPack.rar

I send you a mail with my video screen capture. Also, I had an error with copy as Instance a simply model. In attachment the LOG =)

HI, I don't know why, but when I open NLM, in my scene (with a lot of VRayProxy, but not so heavy as usual in my scene) the FPS goes to 0.5. After I close it, boom! in one second, again 30-40-50 FPS! Ok, not 0.5 FPS, but sometime the viewport "freeze". The PAN start FAST, and after 0.5 sec it's block! again, again again.
EDIT: fuck 3ds max: The file was 350 MB! too much for this scene. So NEW -> KEEP OBJECTS -> OK. Save again. The file now is 120 MB, but I lost all the animations! But when I open NLM, no LAG!

That's quite a substantial reduction! If possible could you run a couple of tests and get back to me on the results?

Could you please let me know the frame rate after:

1. Loading this proxy heavy scene with Nested Layer Manager closed.

2. Opening Nested Layer Manager.

3. You have executed this code, which will stop the timer from working:
nestedLayerManager.callbacks.layerParamsTimer.enabled = false

4. You have executed this code, which will remove all callbacks:
nestedLayerManager.callbacks.removeCallbacks()

After these tests, running nestedLayerManager.reload() will reset it if you want to continue using it during that max session.

Cheers
Tim

Does this might help? http://www.scriptspot.com/3ds-max/scripts/cleaner

Thanks for the upgrade. The good, very good tool is the ability to highlight the selected obj in the NLM. For example, in this way it's very easy know where is a selected obj. Just a new suggestion for your next upgrade ;)
Now I want to try NLM in my project, today.

I've been working on bug fixes and updates to Nested Layer Manager, and Beta 2 is now live. You can update to Beta 2 by installing the new version; the old version will automatically be uninstalled.

Thanks to everyone that has sent log reports. They have been really helpful for bug fixes!

@ Klonsemann
I've had a look and have replicated the issue with coolpicker. Unfortunately it seems that the bug is with coolpicker - if the colour pick dialog is opened via maxscript, 3ds max crashes. This happens in both 2009 and 2012. I think coolpicker needs to be updated to work with scripting callbacks. I'll see if I can find a solution, if anyone knows please do email me!

Tim

Tim you have best layer management solution for 3dsmax.
I really appreciate your work and effort on this tool
and keep it up.+1
Cheers!

please, make faster or disable ability select all(ctrl+A) function on NLM gui.

Thanks Klonsemann. I'll look into the bug you have reported before I release Beta 2 in the next couple of days. :)

Nice Script. I missed this for a long time.

I found a bug. When using the "CoolPicker v2.3.3" alternative Color Picker Plugin.
The dialog does not react when klicking the OK button to apply the new color.

Simply a must-have ... why the hell Autodesk doesn't come with stuff like that ?!
Keep the good work on this tool, man ! and thanks a lot for sharing it :)

Regards.

Ohhh... please, don't do as Autodesk do!!! First, clean up all the bug, then add new features... ^__^ For now yes, in our office it's not possible to use this script in production due the "copy" bug/crash. No problem, I will wait your new beta. we lived 7 years without a robust layer manager ;)

No, you want new features!!!

Hehe, yeah I completely agree with you. I am going to focus on fixing bugs primarily and once it is stable I'll work on adding new features. I'll keep you posted :)

When I copy as instance, sometime NLM crash... 2-3 time every 15-30 minutes... Mmm...

Sorry you're having problems with the script, and thanks for the log report. I've received a few reports now which will help me find the bugs that seem to be cropping up mainly with object related changes.

This is quite a complex script so unfortunately there were bound to be a few bugs. I tried to find as many as I possibly could, but I seem to have missed a few. Please bear with me whilst I fix them and I'll be releasing beta 2 quite soon :)

Tim

Thanks for this, really helps bugfix. :)

There is a callback that fires before saving data to clean up any layer information that has changed - oddly the callback is present but there is no nested data present which is why the error occurs. For me, simply opening up Nested Layer Manager, then closing it again, and saving the max file fixes the problem, and the error goes away.

I'll make the callback more robust for beta 2 to avoid this from happening, and stop that nasty popup message!

Attached is a script to remove all nested layer manager data from the scene. I'll include this in the next beta in case anybody else would like to use it.

Thanks
Tim

there it is, its max 2012, no objects and layers in scene, but error still appears. hope this helps

p.s. how can i remove this callback/pernament global or what it is from my scene? it little bit annoying :)

when i run NLM, create folder and then delete it, then it shows --Unknown property: "nestedLayerManager" in $ when saving scene

i tried to compare it with outliner and its a little bit faster but still slow when you have thousands of objects

That's quite an odd bug. Is there any chance you would be able to send me the max file (all objects deleted is fine) so I can have a look and see what has happened with the nested data. If not, could I please get a bit more info from you like max version and perhaps a screenshot.

Cheers!
Tim

Tim, FANTASTIC SCRIPT!!! After 3d Studio MAX 4, Max had a positive Layer manager. Fangorn, theOnion, Zookeper, Outliner they are ok (Fangorn was fantastic but he stopped after max 9) but they have some problem in some area. Fangorn is dead, theOnion slow and no nested groups. Zookeper expensive. The last version I tried of outliner (last year) he broke every EVERY my 3ds max file!!!

Now I will start with my wish:

(*) Possibility to remember the columns size and position. Usually I use the "visible" column in the first place.
(*) I've some strange behavior when I try to resize the columns. I want to make the NLS as little as possible and dockable an the left side of the 3ds max UI. But when I try to resize... sometimes this is not possible.
(*) If I click my shorcut I open you NLS. If I click again, I want to close the NLS windows. Now this last action not happens. This could speed up the work-flow IMO
(*) remember the NLS position, size and columns position every time I open 3ds max. In one word, on the left side of 3ds max, dockable, with the same columns size and position .

Ok, I will start to play and I will write my impression!!!

Thanks cecofuli :)

I'm glad you're finding it useful. Thanks for the log report, I'll use it to help fix some bugs that have been reported to me before I release beta 2.

Here are some answers to your questions:

1. Column order saved on close. I'm not sure why I never added this! I'll definitely add this before the next beta.

2. Resizing columns. I agree, the behaviour is odd. This is because the width is automatically calculated when you resize the window. Because of this when you manually resize a column the experience is very odd. I'll have a look at the best way to handle this. (Either a preference to turn off auto resize, or some event that fires to turn off auto resizing when a user is manually resizing)

3. Keyboard shortcuts. This was reported a couple of days ago and has been fixed. It will be release in beta 2 which should be coming out soon.

4. Remember NLM size and position. This has already been implemented - when you close nested layer manager, it should save it's size and position into an ini file so that it loads exactly where you left it next time. Is this not happening for you? I'll try and work out a way of making this tool dockable too.

can you make it compatible for max 9 , please?

@ fajar
Sorry but this won't be possible as Nested Layer Manager takes advantage of the Node Event Callback system implemented into 3ds Max 2009.

@noel_d3
That's a really interesting idea. It would be cool to have an ability to have tabbed 'states' of nested layers. I'm not sure how much this would be possible as a script due to performance issues, but it would be a cool to add. There are some things I'd like to add first but I'll have a play and see if it works and is quick enough to use.

Thanks for this gem !

A immediate request though,( should not be hard to do )
Please make it toggle! Currently if you map the command onto your perferred shortcut it opens, but does'nt close on a second shortcut press...
That would be the behavior of the standard layer manager and IMHO you should immidate that behavior closely

Thanks nevertheless for such a nice tool !

Thanks for letting me know about this. Just checked it and I've found the problem. If Nested Layer Manager is focused, it will not close on key shortcut press, but if it is not focused (and max is focused instead) it will close.

I'll look for a solution to this as soon as I get a chance.

Great script we wait for long time !!!

Thx

An idea of improvement : It can be nice to have possibility to organize layers in different ways. With multiples instances of this script that they could be row in differents tabs.
Indeed, we organize layers differently if we are animator or rendering artist.

I made an image explaining this function as the "Multi-layers-tree-manager" long time ago here :
http://area.autodesk.com/forum/autodesk-3ds-max/wishlist/multiple-layer-…

Thx for your work.

Léon

This looks cool, and has one little feature that Outliner doesn't....a minimize button :)
Outliner is either on or off & I don't like to dock windows.

I hope your able to release this soon, I will be an instant convert ;)

i cant see any diference between outliner and nested layer manager they work same i meane both are slow... but good job ;)

There are a few UI differences between NLM and Outliner, but you're right they do basically accomplish the same task for 3ds Max (Although (the very impressive) Outliner can be used for more than just layer management). This is just my spin on how I like working with Layer Management in 3ds Max.

It's a shame that you're reporting it being slow for you - what are you exactly trying to do? I've optimised it to be as quick as possible but unfortunately it will never be as quick as the original layer manager as it sits on top of it. There are probably lots of tweaks that can be made to make it quicker though :)

Tim:

I am stoked that you were finally able to share this - I cant wait to try it out!

Thanks again!

did you create it from outliner source code?

Nope, it's completely written from scratch. I have written it to help learn scripting within 3ds Max. It takes advantage of some dotNet forms that ship with 3ds Max, created by DevExpress.

Tim,

Thanks for the clarification. I hope thing work out with your company.
BTW - NICE work on your site!

You do know that the Outliner has full nested layer support, right? :)

Tim is this a matter of distribution?

If you did download this script and it's all right with Tim Hawker would you share your copy?

Hi othoap,

I wrote this script as a personal project to extend my scripting knowledge, but the company I work for has requested that I do not share this tool (at the moment). Hopefully this will change in the near future. :-)

For the people that have downloaded the script, I would appreciate it if you do not share it around. Since releasing it I have have added a couple of features (some of them from your previous post othoap), but more importantly found a few bugs. So to the people that have the script - be warned that there are a few bugs!

I will update this page if the situation changes, but for now this is as much information as I can provide.

Tim

do you let you boss dictate you do with your personal stuff?

I'm not a "outliner" kind of guy. I like layers, just not the current version in max. I was hoping that 2012 would have reworked layers. My impression is AD has abandoned layers for outline/scene explore. I wish layers would have the same features as scene explore.

Layers wish list:
-When you select something in the layers UI it should select in the viewport.
-In photoshop layers you can click and holed on the eyeball. Then drag down to turn on/off any layer as you swipe.
-Groups/folder
-Dockable
-When making new layer activate the label for easy naming.

Looks good, hope to see the download link working again ;)

Wow, I was talking with my friend some days ago about a tool like this, thx!!!!

ahhhhhhh finally !!!! it's a very good alternative to the Onion script, which is a bit messy to me ... thanks A LOT for this one, really !! kind of "little thing" very useful for daily work !

Best regards.

Fantastic, I've wondered why this has not existed for some years :o)

One of my reasons why I have started to teach me max scripting lately is because I had plans on making something like this, but now I do not have to worry about this anymore ;)

You have saved my day, cheers! :o)

wow!!!, this sound like a big Tool .... I try
cheers