Layers: Basics

Layers let you create groups of nodes and manipulate the nodes' properties, e.g. visibility, export resources, or simulation states. Nodes can be members of different layers as well. With layers it is also possible to keep track over large amounts of nodes and their settings.They are located in RealFlow's "Layout" menu. The main layer system's interface is subdivided into two main panels.

Visibility

This panel offers three property columns:

• “Visible” toggles the visibility of the layer's member in the viewport.
• “Display mode” controls the shading attributes of the layer's members: “Bounding Box”, “Wireframe”, “Flat shaded” and “Smooth shaded”.
• "Renderable" tells → Maxwell Render whether the layer's members will appear in the rendered image or not.
• All changes can be made at simulation time.

Simulation

You have two property columns:

• “Simulation status” lets you switch between “Inactive”, “Active” and → “Cache”.
• “Export Data” is directly connected to the nodes' checkboxes under → “Export Central”. With “No”, RealFlow will not save any simulation data.

The following table shows the possible export states in conjunction with the settings from → “Export Central”: