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Any way to toggle layer or model visibility through Python?

I can fetch a layer list, and I can fetch the objects from a certain layer. However, I can't find anything that changes their visibility. Is that not implemented?

If it is, is it possible to run a script that I could use for toggling visibility based on a variable within the script? AFAIK the whole script is always run, so if I define switch variables and change them, they're reset every time I run the script again.

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Ah no, I want to prevent touches() from triggering when the object is invisible. I'm almost there (?) however I have a little problem. How do I select the appropriate objects? The current code sets the visibility properly but also every object's "generate" to true. I figured there'd be a "select objects by layer name" but I can't find anything. Also how do I set a boolean value as attribute? My true/false isn't a "real" true/false, so I'm not getting a on/off slider.

Here's a screenshot for clarification. Larger cubes: contents of Layer01-04. The cubes have a case for extrusion or NIL, depending on their "generate" attribute. The purple cubes use a rule with the touches() query. The idea is that invisible cubes don't trigger the purple ones.

script:

from scripting import *


# List of visible layers
LayerName = ["Layer01", "Layer02", "Touches"]


ce = CE()


@noUIupdate
def main():
    layers = ce.getObjectsFrom(ce.scene, ce.isLayer)
    shapes = ce.getObjectsFrom(ce.scene, ce.isShape)
    for layer in layers:
        if str(layer) in LayerName:
            layer.setVisible(True)
            for shape in shapes:
                ce.setAttribute(shape, 'generate', 'true')
                #ce.setAttribute(shape, 'generate', 'false')


        else:
            for shape in shapes:
                ce.setAttribute(shape, 'generate', 'false')
            layer.setVisible(False) 
    #ce.generateModels(shapes)
    #ce.waitForUIIdle()
            
if __name__ == '__main__':
    main()

DavidWasserman

Hey ZR,

Ohhh, so you want to toggle visibility on the procedural model level.
I think you have few options here.

For one, NIL will not generate geometry so the occlusion functions may not work (not entirely sure on that). What might be as helpful is the parameter approach you suggested toggling the material.opacity attribute. By toggling this attribute between 1-0 and setting the attribute in python, you should be able to cloak your models while still setting off occlusion functions. Thus this way you get the same effect, without turning off the entire layer. Also you can change the shape attributes opacity ANYWHERE in the shape hierarchy allowing more nuanced control.
Hope this helps,
David

The example works for the layers, thanks. However I'm trying to use the visibility in conjunction with an occlusion query. Turning layer visibility off or deleting the model doesn't keep the touches() function from triggering. Only when I don't generate a model through its rule (like case visible == true: extrude(5), else: NIL) does the query work as expected. Should I just give all the objects from the layer a visibility attribute (ce.setAttribute) and change that to false with python before generating or is there a proper way?

DavidWasserman

Thanks Chris. Will let you know how it goes later tonight.

Hopefully now I will have 200 cross sections webscenes, and 200 snap shots XD.

Anonymous User

Hey guys,

Attached is an example of how to turn off and on the layer visibility.

To test it make a layer named "TestLayer". The sample actually turns it off, and then back on again. And prints the current state.

Let me know if you have further questions.

Chris

LayerVisibilitySampleCode.py.zip

Steps to generate centroid of parcels.pdf

DavidWasserman

I have run into the same problem. I have been able to get the layer list into a web scene (see image below), but I am having the same problem. I am continuing to research it, but I bet it hinges on filtering out each layer with a new 3DView or some other class. How they interact is still some I am playing with.

We will figure this out.

Anonymous User

ZR, This is a CityEngine python question, and not an ArcPy question, right? Just clarifying for Ben.

I don't know the answer, but I have a friend David with the same question. I sent him a link to this. Maybe one or the other of you will find the answer.

Chris

BenNadler

Visibility is managed in three places:

Layer Visibility (turn all features on / off)

Definition Query (exclude features)

Renderer (change symbol to none)

Sounds like you are trying to filter out features based on a selection, you could add the list of selected objectIDS to the layer query definition thus "hiding" them. "...AND NOT OBJECTID IN (#,#,#,#)"

See arcpy layer definition query here...use python to create definition query

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