How do you choose which models appear on top of the others in the preview pane?

[Dabil]

I just started working with the newest version of xlights. It's been a few years since I upgraded Xlights since the old version did everything I wanted it to.

Anyway after the upgrade I added a few new models. I have a mega-tree that should be in the very front with icicles behind it on the roof line. However whenever I render a sequence and watch it, the icicles render over top the mega-tree.

I know when I actually run the lights it won't be a problem, however I find it really annoying when sequencing since the effects I am going for all appear differently than they actually will when on the house.

Anyone have any idea how to fix this issue and make the icicles appear behind the mega-tree in the preview window?

[JonB256]

My megatree has 2 things set that may help.

First is in the Size/Location parameters. I set my tree to a Z of 60. The things behind it have a Z of 0.

Also, my megatree has a "Black Transparency" of 100 which means that when it is not active, it is transparent to anything behind it.

[Dabil]

Yes that did it. I had already experimented with the z position, but I wasn't sure if moving forward was positive or negative. I had selected 1 and -1, and set all the others to 0. Thought that would be enough but apparently you need a much bigger number.

Thanks so much. And the transparency is a nice touch.

[JonB256]

Glad that helped. The Z value was something added when I played with the 3D layout for awhile. I moved the Megatree out and that created the value.