{"id":621,"date":"2018-10-07T07:05:48","date_gmt":"2018-10-07T06:05:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/?p=621"},"modified":"2023-09-07T15:53:45","modified_gmt":"2023-09-07T14:53:45","slug":"collections","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/collections\/","title":{"rendered":"Collections not Layers"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_82_2 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-light-blue ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f18c00e1914\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f18c00e1914\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/collections\/#summary\" >Summary<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/collections\/#what-are-collections\" >What are Collections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/collections\/#using-collections\" >Using Collections<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/collections\/#object-management\" >Object Management<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/collections\/#collection-management\" >Collection Management<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"summary\"><\/span>Summary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>TL:DR summary on Collections;<br \/>\n(<b>1<\/b>) Collections replace Layers.<br \/>\n(<b>2<\/b>) Pressing <span class=\"shortcutkey\">M<\/span> opens Move to Collections quick access menu.<br \/>\n(<b>3<\/b>) Outliner area acts as Collections manager.<br \/>\n(<b>4<\/b>) Inclusion\/removal from Collections can be done in 3D View and\/or Outliner.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-are-collections\"><\/span>What are Collections<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>For Blender and newer versions scene and project organisation has been improved with the introduction of <b>Collections<\/b> as a replacement for <b>Layers<\/b>. This change <i>removes the Layers button array<\/i> from the 3D View Header (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/edit-mode-basics\/\">which itself has undergone overall changes<\/a>) making use of the <b>Outliner<\/b> editor, the upper-right area of the interface, as an <i>object manager<\/i>, a tool similar in function to those found in Photoshop, GIMP, Photo-Paint etc. so scene and project data generally, can be better organised and managed using familiar manipulation metaphors.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b>: aside from the addition of Collections, the Outliners <b>Display Mode<\/b> options have been condensed and reorganised into (currently) six main categories instead of the twelve or so previously available &#8211; this may mean hunting around for specific items to find out where they&#8217;ve been moved.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/outliner-collections.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/outliner-collections.jpg\" alt=\"Collections and the Outliner replace Layers and Layer button array\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i><b>Collections<\/b> and the <strong>Outliner<\/strong> editor replace using <strong>Layers<\/strong> and Layers button array (3D View Header) whilst still using similar metaphors of use (pressing a shortcut to access and assign).<\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"using-collections\"><\/span>Using Collections<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>With <b>Layers<\/b> being obsolete pressing <b><span class=\"shortcutkey\">M<\/span><\/b> no longer displays the <b>Move to Layer<\/b> pop-up. Instead <b>Move to Collection<\/b> appears, a different overlay highlighting the Collections available for use (as a text-based list), alongside an additional option, <b>+ New Collection<\/b>, to add more entries if needed.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b>: <b>Scene Collection<\/b> and <b>Collection 1<\/b> are shown by default.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>To move something into or out from a Collection, make sure the object(s) or item(s) is selected in the 3D View, press <b><span class=\"shortcutkey\">M<\/span><\/b> for the quick access menu then left-click <i>Scene Collection,<\/i> <i>Collection 1<\/i> (defaults) or other option as available. Alternatively click <b>+ New Collection<\/b> to add a new entry, which appears in the Outliner, that can then be selected for object management on pressing <i><span class=\"shortcutkey\">M<\/span><\/i> again.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b>: clicking + New Collection is an &#8216;action&#8217;, Blender will do something, which then necessitates M being pressed again to access the new entry &#8211; it won&#8217;t be created (step 1) and appear in Move to Collection (step 2) as a single action (step 1 + step 2).<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/move-to-collection.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/move-to-collection.jpg\" alt=\"Layers have been replaced with Collection so pressing M now opens a different pop-up menu\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Layers have been replaced with Collections so pressing <b>M<\/b> opens <b>Move to Collection<\/b> instead of <b>Move to Layer<\/b>.<\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"object-management\"><\/span>Object Management<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Although Collections are generally managed from the Outliner, the objects they might contain can be changed a number of ways; 1) the <b>Move to Collection<\/b> quick access menu, 2) an <b>Object<\/b> menu option, 3) from within the <b>Outliner<\/b>. To use options 1 and 2 objects should be selected in the 3D View so Blender can identify associated Collection instances, for example moving a &#8216;wall&#8217; object from one Collection into another requires the mesh to be selected before it can be shuffled between Collections. Using option 3 objects can be selected and rearranged directly in the Outliner simply by clicking an entry to highlight and dragging it into another Collection.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/object-collection.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/object-collection.jpg\" alt=\"Simple Collection management can be had using the quick access or Object menu options\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Simple object management can be had using the quick access and Object menu options when working in the 3D View, or by using the Outliner to select and rearrange data directly dragging it from one Collection to another.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><video poster=\"\" controls=\"controls\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><!--<source src=\"\/images\/tutorials\/viewpoint-navigation.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/>--><source src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/collection-shortcut.ogg\" type=\"video\/ogg\" \/><source src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/collection-shortcut.webm\" type=\"video\/webm\" \/><\/video><br \/>\n<i>The shortcut formerly for Layers, <b>M<\/b>, now accesses Collections where objects can be moved quickly between instances &#8211; simply select the object, press <b>M<\/b> and click the Collection from the <b>Move to Collection<\/b> pop-up.<\/i><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"collection-management\"><\/span>Collection Management<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Managing Collections themselves is done in the Outliner editor. To <i><b>create<\/b> a new Collection<\/i> right-click anywhere near an existing collection or blank area of the workspace. In the <b>Collection<\/b> pop-up that appears select <b>New<\/b>. A numbered instance will appear (<i>Collection [<b>n<\/b>]<\/i>). To rename double (left) click the listing and type a new label (Enter to confirm or click elsewhere on-screen).<\/p>\n<p>To <i><b>remove<\/b> a Collection<\/i> (Shift+) left-click select one or more instances and press <b>Delete<\/b> or right-click over the instance to be removed and select <b>Delete<\/b> from the Collection pop-up menu. To <i><b>rearrange<\/b> Collections<\/i>, left-click select individual or multiple instances to highlight then left-click-drag into another Collection or position in the Outliner stack. Release left-click to confirm. Doing this essentially makes the moved Collection(s) a &#8216;child&#8217; of the instance into which it is placed.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p><b>Design note<\/b>: when creating a new Collection the mouse needs to be clear of a Collections contents otherwise Blender assumes the action relates to the entry otherwise highlighted by the mouse cursor\/click. Deleting a Collection removes the Collection instance and whatever it contained so move object that need to be kept prior to deletion. Beyond being moved between Collections, the objects they might contain cannot (currently) be rearranged, they are automatically listed\/ordered alpha-numerically.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/outliner-management.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" style=\"width: 100%; height: auto;\" src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/outliner-management.jpg\" alt=\"Managing Collections themselves is done in the Outliner\" width=\"900px\" height=\"500px\" border=\"0\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<i>Collections are blocks of data that can be edited and manipulated in the Outliner, new instances created, deleted, managed or moved to change their order or position in the stack, or in to or out from other Collections.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><video poster=\"\" controls=\"controls\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><!--<source src=\"\/images\/tutorials\/viewpoint-navigation.mp4\" type=\"video\/mp4\" \/>--><source src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/collection-management.ogg\" type=\"video\/ogg\" \/><source src=\"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/images\/tutorials\/collections\/collection-management.webm\" type=\"video\/webm\" \/><\/video><br \/>\n<i>Managing Collections is best done in the Outliner where they can be selected and dragged to re-order, in the stack or within other Collections, or have their labels (names) changed.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":678,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[34,230],"tags":[369,371,374,375,372,370,373],"class_list":["post-621","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blender","category-tutorials","tag-collections","tag-layers","tag-move-to-collection","tag-move-to-layer","tag-outliner","tag-scene-collection","tag-scene-data"],"post_mailing_queue_ids":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/621","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=621"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/621\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5200,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/621\/revisions\/5200"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/678"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=621"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=621"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.katsbits.com\/codex\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=621"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}