Set up and view material lineups

Set up and present the scene > Set up alternatives >

Material lineups are color and material studies applied to particular parts of a model.

Set up a material alternative lineup

Press the A key to view the Alternatives interface.
Click over the Create button at the top of the alternatives list.

NoteIf you don’t see this button, you may be in presentation mode. Press Tab to get back to edit mode.
A list of possible types of lineups appears. Select the New Material Lineup choice.

A new lineup is created to contain a new set of alternatives.
Apply the first set of materials to any objects that you want to compare.
Select all the objects. See Select objects.

NoteIf you can’t select any objects, press Tab to change to edit mode. If you can’t see the objects you want to select, they may be in a hidden model alternative.
In the new material lineup, click the Add Alternative button.

The selected objects are added to the lineup as a new alternative.
Right-click on the new alternative. In the menu that appears, select Set Image.

A snapshot is taken of the current view and attached to the alternative. This makes it easier for you to keep track of this particular alternative.
Assign the next set of materials to the selected objects.
With the objects still selected, click Add Next Alternative.
In the right-click menu for the new alternative, select Set Image so you can keep track of this alternative.
Continue adding alternatives to complete your color and material study.

Remove an object from a material alternative

Click on the alternative you want to work with.
Select the objects you want to remove from the alternative.
From the alternative’s right mouse button menu, select Remove Selection From.

The object is removed from the material alternative. If you view other alternatives and return back to this alternative, the object is not included.

Add an object to a material alternative

Select the objects you want to add to an existing alternative and apply the appropriate material.
From the alternative’s right mouse button menu, select Add Selection Into.

The object is added to the alternative.

Delete an alternative

Select the alternative you want to delete.
From the alternative’s right mouse button menu, select Delete Alternative.

The alternative is deleted, and the material associations lost.

Set up and view positional lineups

Positional lineups let you compare alternative placements of a model or an object.

For example, you can:

place a model in various scene locations, for scene comparisons or design evaluation.
compare various positions for a model component (for example, where a car aerial is located).
create exploded views of model components.

NoteIf you re-import a model that was transformed outside Autodesk Showcase, the external transformations are reflected in a positional lineup. Transformations are cumulative (that is, transformations in the positional lineup are made to the new position of the re-imported model).

Set up a positional alternative lineup

Press the A key to view the Alternatives interface.
Click over the Create button at the top of the alternatives list.

NoteIf you don’t see this button, you may be in presentation mode. Press Tab to get back to edit mode.
A list of possible types of lineups appears. Select the New Positional Lineup choice.

A new lineup is created to contain a new positional alternative lineup.
Select the objects you want to add to the new positional alternative.

NoteUse Edit > Select All to select the entire model. If you can’t select any objects, press Tab to change to edit mode. If you can’t see the objects you want to select, they may be in a hidden model alternative.
In the new lineup, click the Add Alternative button.

The selected objects are added to the lineup as a new alternative.
Select Set Image from the right mouse button menu to identify the alternative.
Move the model or object to a new position.

NotePress H to use the transform handle.
Click on Add Next Alternative.

You can now use this alternative lineup to view the model in two different positions.

Remove an object from an alternative

You may have added an object accidentally to an alternative. To remove it:

Click on the alternative you want to work with.
Select the objects you want to remove from the alternative.
From the alternative’s right mouse button menu, select Delete Selection From.
The object is no longer part of the alternative.

Add an object to an alternative

You may have imported another object and want to include it in your positional alternative. To add it:

Select the objects you want to add to the alternative.
Click on the alternative you want to work with.
From the alternative’s right mouse button menu, select Add Selection Into.
The object is added to the alternative.

Delete an alternative

Expand a lineup to view its alternatives. Select the alternative you want to work with.
From the alternative’s right mouse button menu, select Delete.