Moho Animation Forum

More of a procedural or 'style' question.

I wonder about the pros and cons of separate layers v's many multiple objects on one layer.

My first thoughts...
Separate layers has the advantage of independent manipulation - layer translation etc.
Multiple objects on one layer has only one timeline.

I would be interested to hear what approach more experience users have. Is it just 'according to context' or are there 'general rules of thumb' that apply.

Does it affect rendering?
other?

cheers - arfa

It's only a matter of context and personal taste.

I like to have my stuff as separated as possible, so I use many layers. This way I can easily change movement on separate timelines, and also use some layer movements. I also gain the oppotunity to later re-use a bone animation with totally different shapes.

If you put much stuff on a single layer, you might need to bind it to lots of different bones with much use of bone offfset.

It highly depends on what kind of worker you are. I have to work very fast sometimes, so it's better to have separate layers because I don't have the time to meticulously select and de-select points on a layer with many shapes. And I need to be able to change everything even when I think a scene is finished, mostly because of a client's request. That's why I keep stuff separated a lot, with many duplicate files: this habit saves my ass quite often.

Another way of putting it -- I have never regretted have too MANY layers, since I can always combine them. But there have been many times I wished an object was on its own layer (and it's not always so easy to select an object especially when it's composed of many shapes).

I'd actually advise the opposite here. If you start with fewer layers, then you can always duplicate them and remove unneeded shapes. The advantage to this is that duplicating layers maintains any actions or animation you may wish to keep, while copy/paste shapes won't.

An added benefit is that you can remove unneeded shapes but keep the construction curves so that 'joined' shapes still behave joined.


Overall though, I think it's a question of method. If you plan on doing any turns, more layers is a necessity, but single angle characters can be done well on very few layers.

From the varied response it is clear there is NO general approach. Even so, your comments give me several things to consider 'along the way.' Thanks.

I am at that stage where the tools are all laid out and their function is reasonably clear but, the order, the possible procedure of construction is manifold.

More to come - arfa