Microsoft Knowledge Base

• Softimage 3D for IRIX, versions 3.5, 3.51, 3.7
• Softimage 3D for Windows NT, versions 3.01, 3.51, 3.7

SUMMARY

The following tips on using the CLEAN and CLEANALL commands in the Schematic view will help you save time and prevent overlapping of nodes:

• In the schematic view, if you manually position (move) a non-root node, it will remain at the same location relative to its parent for all operations except:

      - when the "Reset User Pos" option is used in conjunction with CLEANALL
  

      - when the CLEAN command is also used and  the  node is selected
  

• The CLEANALL command only repositions the hierarchy roots and thus compacts the hierarchies. All children remain at the same relative position to the root. The materials are root elements associated to the node and are affected by the CLEANALL command.
• The CLEAN command only affects selected nodes. This is useful to re-align the sub-portion of a hierarchy. It will not move the root of a hierarchy.
• The OPEN/CLOSE (double click on a node) will always ensure that the hierarchy is kept to a minimum size and will move the elements to the right of the newly closed or opened hierarchy.
• Shared materials will always be position on the first hierarchy that uses it.
• Named selections and lights are always positioned after the hierarchies when a CLEANALL is applied.
• The ordering of children within a hierarchy is always kept. After manually re-ordering the child of a hierarchy, always select all nodes of the hierarchy (in branch or multi-nodes) and apply the CLEAN command to it. This keeps the hierarchy as compact as possible and prevents node overlap when cleaning (with the CLEAN button) other parts of that hierarchy.
• When using the CLEAN command, use the Multi mode to select the materials. This way the materials will follow the hierarchy.
• Do not insert spaces between nodes of a hierarchy. The CLEAN and CLEANALL command always try to compact all nodes affected by the specific command.

REFERENCES

SOFTIMAGE 3D Reference Guide: A to H, Interface, page 62-67.

If you have any questions concerning the information contained in this article, contact support@softimage.com by email.