Layout idea or need instructions

[Midnyte Lighting]

 I've read skimmed through the manual. Tried watching the 100's of tutorials on YouTube, but its overwhelming. 
A little background.... This is my first time using the software. I have Light o Rama Pro version, but only programmed using S3. I've designed multiple stages using Capture Polar for local bands and theaters, for use with the "big boy lighting toys."

 So after getting multiple ideas and deleting and making new models, for my house layout and for the future, Here is my question.
 
  How do I hide a prop/model in the layout/preview, that i will not be using now (for future layout), but still program the sequence for them? So after I program the song, it can be hidden.
 

In other words, I've arranged all the models/props I want in my yard for now and the future. My thought process is to program the sequences to all of it! Then when i can afford the rest in the future, I can unhide the prop in the layout and add it to my show. No programming needed!

 And maybe even just selecting a group to be visible only, to focus on the effect better and not be distracted by the others lights, that might be layered on top of each other in the preview.


 

[Gilrock]

So a really long way to ask "Can I hide a model in layout?"...lol.

Create new previews in the drop-down beside the 3D checkbox. Then you can assign models to a dummy preview.  You can select "All Models" whenever you want to see everything.

[Midnyte Lighting]

 Yes, a very strung out question. My brain operates in another world, lol

 So I tried by creating the new preview. I'd have to create probably 10 previews for I would assume groups to be excluded from the preview. Is this correct?

 
  It would be so much easier, if i could right click on a group and select "Hide" from preview. Or even further a prop!

[Gilrock]

Why would you need more than 1?  Every model/group has a Preview property.  You can set it to unassigned so you don't even need to create a new preview.  But yes anything in a group gets pulled in if that group is assigned to the current preview.  So you cannot have models you want hidden be in a group unless that group is also marked appropriately.  But still I can't figure out why you would need 10 previews to do that.

[Gilrock]

99% of the users don't create things they don't want to show up.

[Midnyte Lighting]

Well, I guess I'm doing something wrong then.

 Please point me to the video or instructions on how you do, what you suggest. Please remember, I'm new to this PC software and pixels. And having ADHD isn't helping, lol. So bear with me, please.
 
 10 previews would be equal to 10 groups i have to exclude or hide from the preview.

So lets say I started a song and placed the butterfly effects with small changes on different groups (House outline, Icicles, Mini Stars which are on top of Mini Trees). So there is 4 groups that are being used by a butterfly effect. Now in the house preview, the 4 groups are lit up doing there thing. But I would like to add a different group called Snowflakes with a Color Wash effect.
 I can't figure out how to hide the other 4 groups, without deleting them. So I can concentrate on the snowflakes timing to the song.
  Also if I'm not really owning all the props yet that I'm programming, the one's I do have I think will not be in time to the music. And that also depends on where i start. I want 8 snowflakes on the roof, but can only afford 4 now. So the 2 outsides might not look good if I use them for a piano keyed effect. Then in the future, I can just address them to the same DMX channels or something like this [Want 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8]  [Now 3-4-5-6 get programmed] [Future I use DMX channel from Now and add to the rest from Want for an look  3 & 1 - 4 & 2 - 5 & 7 -  6 & 8]  If anybody is understanding this, I applaud you. I kept adding stuff in...my brain hurts.
 
3 hours later...
While trying to figure this out I also stumbled upon Edit Display Elements. Then select models in the group to view in preview only along with all timings. Is this what your referring to?? Because I still cannot make the other 4 groups hide.

 Ok for the really really short question, lol 

 Is there a Intensity/Blackout/a temporally way to turn off the RGB colors from 255 to 0 on selected models, button? Like on a lighting console. If not, then its just an idea for the future releases.


 I guess I was so used to programming theater lighting with moving lights, it just make programming really simple for me. Maybe I should seek out Tom in those YouTube videos. I really wanted to stretch my creative mind, while designing lighting scenes. Which I don't even know if I can save as a preset effect. And if I could, I'd have a couple hundred. Which I could just pull out of a library and add it into the show cue, instead of altering each effect to my liking on every cue.