Moving groups of objects to different layer.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

This has bothered me for a little while. I use layers a lot while working in 3dsmax. I also use grouping a lot. When I want to move a group to a different layer, the objects in the group will not all move at once. Often I have to select the group, ungroup it, right click the layer, and hit add selected objects, and then regroup them when they are on that layer. This is a slow way to do it. Anyone have other suggestions?

[BrianKitts]

don't ungroup the object and rebuild it, just open it and select everything in it with the group to move it...

 

 

I do it pretty much the same way but it's a bit quicker if you isolate selection on the group you want to move. Open the group, ctrl-A to select all and then move it to the new layer you want it on. all your objects will still be selected so making sure you don't de-select.... then just go to your menu bar and re-close the group. and it's done, takes 5 seconds.

[Crazy Homeless Guy]

perfect.

[whitetr]

I have this problem when I try to move a group to a hidden layer. It works fine if I unhide the layer I am moving to, move the group to the layer, then re-hide.

Also keep in mind that your objects might be in one layer, but your actual group object is made on the active layer...so make sure you create your group on the same layer as you object. Max does not move objects on layers when grouping. It's possible to have 1 group with objects on every layer:)

[BrianKitts]

I have this problem when I try to move a group to a hidden layer. It works fine if I unhide the layer I am moving to, move the group to the layer, then re-hide.

 

That's odd... I do that all the time with no problem using the method previously mentioned. I mean the object dissappers cause you just stuck it on a hidden layer.... but even thought it's "hidden" it's still technically still selected and max will still let you close the group now that it's on it's new layer.

[Eric Sosa]

I always select, either objects or groups, and make a new layers with the selected elements, renaming the new created layer and deleting the old if necesary.

 

btw, we only work with layers due to a very large amount of objects on every escene and the interelation with Autocad. we keep the same layers when exporting or importing from CAD.