Settings Workspace

Figure 02 | Settings Workspace (Planet_Preview)

The Settings workspace is the first workspace. This is where all planet settings are adjusted. The Settings workspace consists of a Scene; Multiple view layers; 3D viewport; Timeline; Presets panel; and two slider panels.

Scene

There is only one scene in the Settings Workspace.

01_Setup

This scene contains meshes, lights, and cameras associated with the Settings workspace. The objects have modified visibility depending on what view layer is active.

View Layers

There are multiple view layers in the Settings Workspace, a description follows below.

Planet_Preview

Contains the Planet Preview object (Planet_Setup) and a light object (see figure 02). The light (Sun_Setup) may be adjusted to preference (see how to section).

Map_Preview

Contains the flat Map Preview mesh object, a light object, and a non-adjustable camera. The light (Sun_Map_Setup) may be adjusted to preference (see how to section).

Figure 03 | Map_Preview View Layer

Map_Colour_Preview

Contains the flat Map Preview (Map_Preview_C), but only the colour channel. This view layer has the best performance. It is recommended to use this view layer for adjusting settings and keyframing only.

Figure 04 | Map Colour_Preview View Layer

Map_A_Element

These view layers each contain only one element. This helps in setting up single elements. For example, selecting Map_A_Ice will isolate the ice alpha and hide all other elements (see figure 05). The background colour can be changed from the default black colour to something else by adjusting the C_A_Background slider in the sliders section.

Figure 05 | Map_Alpha_Ice View Layer

Outliner

All objects in the scene are found here. Elements are visible depending on the active view layer. In this workspace it should not be necessary to make any selections in the Outliner other than adjusting light settings.

3D Viewport

Shows a preview of the textures, depending on which view layer is active. Note that in the “Map_Element” view layers the camera is positioned perfectly above the object. If the view is not aligned, press 0 on your numpad to toggle the camera view.

Sliders (Shader Editors)

The Sliders section contains all settings needed to create your planet. It can be found to the left of the Settings workspace. The sliders form part of the N-Panel to the right of a Shader Editor. It shows the Properties of the Settings node group. These sliders might also be adjusted on the Shader node itself. For ease of use the shader node has been hidden, it can be revealed by expanding the Shader Editor window to the Right.

The sliders have been split into two sections of the same set. This helps keep some settings visible while working on others. Middle click and drag up or down/mouse wheel/Click and drag scrollbar to scroll through the list of sliders. See Appendix B for further information on the slider properties.

Presets

Presets can be found in the Text Editor window to the left of the Timeline. The 00_Default_Planet preset is loaded by default. Press the dropdown to the left of the preset name to choose another preset. Activate a preset by pressing the Run active script button to the right of the preset name. Changes will be reflected immediately on the sliders as well as in the 3D Viewport. To build your own presets, see the How to…building your own presets section.

Properties Panel

Render settings may be changed to preference. Please note that this workspace works with the Cycles render engine. Eevee may be used only in the PBR_Preview Workspace.

Timeline

This can be used to keep track of keyframes created in the main sliders. Do not animate any other objects in the scene. Rather use the Layout workspace for animating objects.