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.