I have several objects of a group on layer 2, and an instance of the group on layer 1. So I start rendering…oh, it renders layer 2…cancel rendering…switch to layer 1…start rendering…switch to layer 2…work…start rendering…oh, it renders layer 2…cancel rendering…switch to layer 1…start rendering…
Yes, my fault to always forget to switch to layer 1 before rendering. I’d really like to tell him that he should always only renders layers XY. (once more a basic wish IMO) Or, what just comes into my mind, maybe there’s a plugin/addon that let’s me specify this? That 1. automatically switches visible layers 2. starts rendering 3. switches back layers?
Sorry for being enraged. (“enraged” is a too hard word, but I didn’t find a softer one. )
the layers setup is for this, go to the layers tab, you’ll see two sets of all the 20 layers, the set on the left is what layers it should render NOW, the set on the right is what layers it should consider when rendering, if you only activate layer 1 on the right set, even if you have selected layer 2, the render will not consider it, and only consider the layer 1 when rendering, however keep in mind that layer 1 must be activated on the left set of layers.
There is also the EXCLUDE and the MASK LAYER sets, which would serve your purpose as well.
Scene layers are the layers visible in the scene (enable layers 1 and 2)
Render layers are the layers in the list of scene layers that are actually rendered (enable just layer 1)
From your confusing original post, what is your problem ?
From Richard Marklew’s answer, disable layer 1 from the Scene Layers on the header of the 3d view, and enable only layer 2 on scene layers of the Render Layers panel.
If you want this setting to be permanent on every new scene just set it on a new scene and Save Startup File.
The layers in the header of the 3d view are identical to the ones in the Layers section below the “Scene:” label.
Anyway, if a layer is invisible, it won’t be rendered, no matter if you include it anywhere else. Consequently, you always have to make it visible before rendering. My first post is from practice, and it shows pretty clearly why this is not the best solution.
Yeah, I have never used that icon, but it’s that, although it is for showing only rendering layers on the viewport, not for limiting rendered layers to visible ones, so if you activate it you can see only layers that will be rendered.
EDIT: If, as you say the icon is activated by default, don’t forget to disable it on a new scene and Save Startup.
Well, unlocking this enables me to change the settings independently from each other, but I still have to make a layer visible in the 3D view in order to render it.
It’s enabled by default and have to disable it to have different setup between viewport scene layers and render layer scene layers. Note that if you want to render what is in the render layers setup, you need to place the mouse cursor over the properties editor and then press F12 (or press the render button). If you have mouse cursor in the 3d view, it will render those scene layers instead.