Ability to re-order render layers in the render layer list
For complex projects with many render layers it would be useful to be able to 'move up' or 'move down' the current render layer to allow better organization and visual grouping e.g. moving several shadow related layers so they're grouped together. This is similar to the current ability to be able to re-order vertex groups, shape keys and materials. Personally, for consistency, I would prefer all lists to have 'move up' and 'move down' buttons, but I believe these have to be individually coded instead of just editing a template, so I'm focusing on render layers.
11 Comments
Title: Typed Annotations in the Viewport and Node Editors
Description: Blender needs a tool for typed annotations, not just hand-drawn ones. The current Grease Pencil Annotations are fine for sketching, but useless for writing clear notes. Any attempt at text becomes an unreadable scribble.
Request: – A simple annotation tool that allows typing text with the keyboard directly in the Viewport, Shader Editor, Geometry Nodes, and the Compositor. – Minimal options: font size, color, optional background. – “Sticky note” behavior: always visible, never rendered. – Editable without using Text objects or imported images.
Why this is needed: – It lets users document and remember complex processes: shader steps, node logic, workflow instructions, internal reminders. – Saves time by keeping notes inside the working area instead of in external files or hidden panels. – Improves clarity for teams sharing .blend files. – Keeps large node setups readable and organized.
Blender already has hand-drawn annotations. What’s missing is the obvious next step: typed, readable annotations directly in the editors. “but for now, if it’s not too much trouble”
Hey there, you seem a little lost. This is the comment section of an 8 year old request about render layers. If your looking for where you can post a request, you can press the 'Submit Idea' button at the top right of your screen. Also, this is a very common request, at the time of posting if you look at top of the ideas feed you can see this idea which is very similar to yours, so perhaps you could upvote that or other similar requests.
Same issue over here. Kinda weird those buttons are not there, nor the function to pick and drag them. It'd be lovely to have that since it's a great way to manage transparency.
Hi there!
Three Layer Rendering add-on has that option.
blendermarket.com/products/three-layer-rendering
Hey! I downloaded this add on but I'm not sure how to use it to re-order layers.
It is a little different. You have view layers panel, first you need to disable "Show TLR layers", then select one of them, and at the bottom of that panel you have "Move up" and "Move down". Just adjust them in the order you want, and press "Change View Layers order"... It will take some time to finish if there are a lot of View Layers...
There used to be a script for that 7 years ago in an older version of blender. But it doesn't work anymore. I'm no coder, but maybe someone can check/update the code:
github.com/RayMairlot/Move-Render-Layers
well, this is a good idea, but wont matter much. order of renderlayers dont have any impact on rendering. so, i think this is kind of a useless idea. that being said, i will like it if it is implemented, but i think other ideas posted on this site are of more use and if given a choice, i would pick some other feature instead of this to get implemented. no offense....
When working on big projects I don't mind keeping my stuff organized. That includes naming and ordering. So I'd love to see this implemented, too.
in my workflow it's not useless. I create at least 2 layers per each Scene - and when I'm working I like to temporarily create one more called "PREVIEW" which contains everything together - when I then go to video edit space, and put a scene onto the timeline - it's always the first view layer displayed as a preview. And if my PREVIEW layer is not the first one - in the video preview I can only see backgrounds. I know there's a workaround for that, I can just turn on elements in the first existing layer and once my video editing is done - turn it off again, but how much easier would it be if I just could reorder view layers. Saying that something is useless just because it does not affect your personal workflow is... well... useless. I would pick this feature instead of some other. no offense....
I have the same workflow and it's incredibly frustrating! If you've found any solution let me know