Toggle visibility on and off for a set of faces?

Paintbox

Maybe I will be able to figure this out on my own, but until then, I think I remember Richard mentioning one time you can make a group of faces visible or invisible with the click of a button? That would be nice to do in my current render(s)  Can't find the forum thread it was discussed in or what context, hence not being able to find it.

Paintbox

Yup. Asking questions is a great mnemonic device.

It reminded of surface groups as a keyword, and brought me to this article http://docs.daz3d.com/doku.php/public/software/dazstudio/4/userguide/creating_content/surfacing/tutorials/create_surface_groups/start

But it's not entirely accurate, there is no surface group tool, instead you need to select geometry editor and the surface group tool window will be in the tool settings pane. You can then turn the surface on and off with the eye icon.

Richard Haseltine

That is an older tutorial, when the tool could handle only polygons.

That method works, but has to be hidden each session - using the Joint Editor to add a new bone (right-click menu, assuming this is a figure) and assigning the group you want to hide as its Selection Group (top-right of Tool Settings with the Joint Editor active) will allow you to show/hide via the Scene pane, and the choice will stick between sessions.

Paintbox

It's good to know it's an older technique. Does this work if it's not a figure? I am using this in a building model.

Thanks for the explanation.

Richard Haseltine

It doesn't have to be a human or animal, a figure is anything with bones attached to a root figure node. If it isn't a figure you would have to turn it into one (Edit>Object>Rigging menu) first as non-figures don't have bones that can be selectively hidden.

Paintbox

Ah I see, that is good to know. Thanks for the info Richard, much appreciated.