How do you view unconnected 2d placement nodes?

[rdunbar]

Ok, I am creating a multilayered texture. I created the first texture, no problems. I disconnected it to the blinn node so I could use the map color button to create the second texture, again no problem. Something went wrong (render exception error) and I had to reboot. When I use hypershade to look at the body textures, only the second one shows up. How can I get the first one back so I can connect it to my multitexture node? It appears the Set Relationship editor only shows connected 2d placement nodes. Is there any way to show unconnected nodes?

[sunil_born2win]

In the hypershade, you have two horizontal windows : the upper one shows selective items, depending on the tab you select. Go in the utility tab, and you'll see all your projection nodes ...

Alban

[rdunbar]

Thanks! You're good! Now for a tough question!
I've noticed that Maya assigns sequential numbers to files (textures) and if you try to give a texture a duplicate name, it will add the next number at the end of the name. I have a texture named Ring1 but it won't let me delete the 1. This means I have another file (texture file?) by the name of Ring, right? But it (Ring without the 1) doesn't show up in the texture tab in Hypershade upper window. How can I view the missing texture so I can delete it? (Delete unused nodes has no effect). Thanks again!

[campbell]

another node at the same level, eg wrld, that has the name Ring -neednt be a texture node.

[sunil_born2win]

Maya does not accept duplicates with the same name, but for all the nodes. Let's say you have a Nurbs sphere named "A". If you have now a texture node named "A" also, it will be incremented to "A1". Now if you have a rendering node, whatever it is, that you try to name "A", it will be renamed ... "A2". So do not check only your textures, but all the nodes in your scene, because you might have an object having the same name as your image. Use the select by name tool in Maya to have all the nodes of same name be selected and displayed ... Hope this helps.

Alban

[rdunbar]

Thanks for the explanation, Alban, I understand now. Where exactly is the select by name tool? I see a select all by type, but name isn't listed.

[stevesayer]

'Select by name' is a feature of Maya's UI. There's a little text entry box near the top of your screen that can be in one of several modes: numeric input (relative), numeric input (absolute), quick rename, and quick select. This last mode, quick select, is the one you want. It lets you type in a text string--which can include wildcards, very useful--which is then applied as a selection filter.

Typing in 'Ring' will select any and all objects named 'Ring'. Typing in 'in' will select anything containing the string 'in' as part of its name... including Ring, Ring1, Lighting, and #($TYR(G)$)_in$*(%&$H. Be careful: this selection tool is case sensitive.

Good luck.

-Steve

[rdunbar]

Ah, yes! Now I see it. Thanks!