Groups
With so many connections and modules possible, the network can quickly become crowded. Keep things organized by grouping your modules.
There are several advantages to using the Group Selection With Composite command over the simple Group Selection (which references both the Group layer in the Timeline view and the Group module in the Network view.
One of the advantages of using this command is that it groups all the selected elements into a neat module that has a nested composite. This means that there is only one connection coming out of the Group module. With the simple Group module or command, the Group displays the same number of connections as elements in the group. Both grouping commands display the same structure in the Timeline view.
The Group Selection With Composite command should only be used before any work has been done in the Network view and it recommended for objects whose stacking order is of no consequence.
Using the Group Selection from Composite command on elements that have effects, have been tweaked in the Network view, or whose stacking order is of consequence, may cause the grouped elements to lose their properties once grouped in this way. In addition, though you may only select a few modules to group, if there are other layers in the timeline that exist between the selected layers, they will automatically be grouped, even if not selected.
Once you create a group module, it is easy to enter into or exit from it.
Using the Move to Parent Group command allows you to move the selected module to the parent level, maintaining all connections. If the operation cannot maintain the connections between the modules, you will be notified and the operation will be terminated.
To quickly access parameters for modules that are grouped, you can use the Publish Attribute Mode feature to select your most common parameters to modify and make them appear in the group Layer Properties editor. This way, you can access them directly without having to enter the group every time.
1. | In the Network view, drag a selection around the modules you want to group. |
2. | In the Network View menu, do one of the following: |
‣ | Select Edit > Group > Group Selected Layers. |
‣ | Press Ctrl + G (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + G (Mac OS X). |
The modules are grouped.
To ensure that you have a Multi-Port Out Module in your group and that your group remains connected, include a Composite module in your selection and make sure it is connected to the main Composite module of the scene before grouping.
1. | In the Network view, select the elements that you want to group. |
2. | Right-click in the Network view and select Group > Group Selection With Composite. |
The selected modules are grouped.
1. | In the Timeline view, in the layers section, select the elements that you want to group. |
Any layers between the selected layers will be automatically grouped as well, so if the stacking order does not matter, move extra layers above or below the layers want to group.
2. | Right-click on one of the highlighted layers and select Group Selection With Composite. |
The layers appear indented under a new Group layer in the Timeline view and in a new Group module in the Network view.
1. | In the Network view, select the group of modules you want to ungroup. |
2. | In the Network View menu, select Edit > Group > Ungroup or press Ctrl + Shift + G (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + Shift + G (Mac OS X). |
The selected group is ungrouped.
3. | In the Network view, click the arrow on the right side of the group module you want to enter. |
‣ | Inside the group module, the Multi-Port In and Multi-Port Out modules ensure that your connections continue beyond the group. |
1. | In the Network view, click the destination in the Group Hierarchy menu. You can also select Modules > Exit Group from the Network View menu. |
‣ | You can click on the top and bottom blue arrows appearing in the Network view to exit the current group. |
‣ | When you enter a group, the Group Hierarchy Menu displays the path to where you are. In this example, we are inside the group named group. To exit this group, click on Top located at the bottom left corner of the Network view. |
‣ | Click the arrow at the top of the Network view. |
1. | In the Network view, go inside the group and select the modules you wish to move up to the parent group level. |
2. | In the Network View menu, select Modules > Move to Parent Group or press Ctrl + Shift + U (Windows/Linux) or ⌘ + Shift + U (Mac OS X). |
The selected modules are moved to the parent group level.
1. | In the Network View menu, select View > Publish Attribute Mode. |
2. | In the Network view, enter the group containing the modules you want to promote. |
3. | Select the module you want to publish attributes for. |
4. | In the Layer Properties view, enable or disable the publishing checkboxes for the different parameters. You can easily distinguish them as they are labeled in red. |
5. | Repeat the previous step for all the modules you want to publish attributes for. |
6. | In the Network view, exit the group. |
7. | Select the Group module. |
In the Layer Properties view, you can see all published attributes. The different modules are tabbed for easy access and organization.