The main function of the script is to save the user time when creating and editing render layers, while also assisting in keeping layers clean and organized.
Usage: 01. Place the renRunner.mel file in your scripts directory.
02. Type "renRunner;" into the command line (Note the caps "R").
Building:
03. Once the interface appears you can select the two "groups" that contain "character" and "background" objects.
04. Type the name you wish to "Prefix" the scenes render layers with in the "Layer Prefix" field. (the default is "shot1")
05. Adjust the check boxes in the "LAYER BUILDER" area.
06. Click the "Build Layers" button.
Editing:
07. Select the render layer you wish to edit in the normal manner.
08. Adjust the check boxes for "character" and "background" objects in the "LAYER MANAGER" area.
09. Click the "Update Layer" button.
10. There is also the option to apply render stats locally to whatever is currently selected; this does not require the objects to be in either of the respective Groups. The settings are directly applied to any object selected in the scene. This option compliments the mass override by acting as a fine-tuner that allows the user to adjust a few objects after the mass override takes care of the majority.
(Use the check boxes for "character." The "background" check boxes are not used for this command.)
11. the "green" "Character" and "Background" buttons, title the below check box columns, and will "select" the respective objects when clicked.
12. Enjoy.
Technical Notes
2. The Rebuild Layer Objs button is used to reevaluate the objects in the respective Groups and add them into the appropriate render layers. They will only be added to layers that are checked under the Select Layers to Build area of the interface. The same applies to the Select to add Type on Build area.
3. It is possible to ether re-open the renRunner.mel interface in a previously worked on file and re-select the appropriate Group Nodes or use it on any file as a Hot Box to the render stats of any object (by using the Update Selected button) It is also possible to select a different Group Nodes in the same file and rerun the Build Layers command. An example of this would be if you wished to create layers for a second Character.
!! IMPORTANT: you must change the Layer Prefix to an unused, unique !! name before rerun the Build Layers command. If this is not done !! the background group objects will not be successfully added
4. Renaming the render layers created by the script will not affect usability in any way. The settings are applied to the current render layer regardless of its naming.
