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Getting Started

Installation​

First use - Main Layers​

The Prism Panel​

To show the Prism panel, simply type "Prism" in the Rhino command line.

The Prism panel contains two main lists: Attribute Names and Layer Structure, a few buttons with icons and two buttons on the bottom right: Reload Objects and Run.

prism_panel_empty

For our first use, we will only use the two lists, the arrow and the "Run" button.

The Attributes Names List​

The prism panel scans your rhino model and display all available user text keys in the Attributes Names list.
If none of your objects contains user texts, you will only see [ObjectColor], [ObjectName], [ObjectType].
These three attributes read from the object's property: color is the RGB value of this object color, Name is the Rhino name of the object, ObjectType is the Rhino Object type.
If you select an object in the model, the attributes available for this object turn black.

If you are not familiar with Rhino user texts key/value system, head to the rhino doc.

Build the Layer Structure​

We will now build the layer structure. To do so, select one of the attribute keys on the Attribute Names list and click the arrow button arrow button.
This attribute is now added on the right within brackets (you can ignore the brackets for now).
prism_panel_example

Run the tool​

Now that you set a Layer Structure, select a few Rhino objects in the model (or all of them) and click the "Run" button.

prims_testfile_result

When you click "Run":

  1. The tool reads each selected objects attributes
  2. it finds the value attached to the key selected in the layer structure
  3. it creates layers named after said value
  4. it placed the object in this layer.

Second Run - Sub layers​

You can also define sublayers by adding more than one attribute.
Go ahead and pick another attribute key, bring it to the right list using the arrow arrow button button again... It now appears below the previous attribute and will be used as a sub layer. You can add as many sub layers as you have attributes. But every attributes can only be used once.

prism_panel_example

Run the tool​

Once again, select a few Rhino objects in the model (or all of them) and click the "Run" button.

prims_testfile_result

The objects are now sorted into sublayers. If one layer does not have a value for the define key, it will show "Undefined[{Key}]"

Going forward​

Congratulations ! You converted your first rhino model using prism ! What next ?

Change the layer color​

Layer color can be edited directly in the layer structure panel. Click the color swatch in front of the layer name. pick color

Remove/Add an attribute from the layer structure​

Add an attribute by selecting it on the left panel and clicking the arrow button arrow button. Double clicking an attribute from the left panel also adds it to the layer structure.

Remove an attribute by selecting it on the right panel and clicking the minus button minus button. Double clicking an attribute from the right panel also removes it from the layer structure.

Reorganise layer structure​

You can reorganise the layer structure order by using the up and down arrows arrow_up button arrow_down button.
Remember, the first item will be used as main layer, the others as sub layers.

Reload objects​

I some attributes are missing from the left panel, try to "Reload Objects"

Advanced features​

Want more ? Check the Advanced Features to go even further !