Global vs. Local

on this page: selection button | creating a local object

Certain objects (viewpoints, lights, sounds, textures, scripts, and navigation information) can be created as either global objects or local objects. What's the difference between the two types?

As far as the objects themselves and how they function in the scene, there is no difference. A global viewpoint has the same effect on the scene as a local viewpoint. A global sound can emit the same sound as a local one. The difference is that a global object is placed in the file at the root (beginning) of the scene description and is not associated with any particular object. A local object is associated with a particular object or group of objects. Use a local light, for example, if you want to associate the light with a particular object or group of objects. If the object is cut and pasted into the scene, the local light follows along with its associated object.

Using the Selection Button

The name panel for local objects lists only the names of the objects associated with the current selection in the scene. For example, if you have a local sound "bang" associated with a box and the box is selected, the name "bang" appears in the name panel for Local Sounds. In complex scenes or scenes authored by someone else, you may have difficulty locating all the local objects. To list all the local objects of a particular type, press the Select button in the appropriate editor. You can now select any of the local objects and edit their attributes.

Creating a Local Object

Local objects must be placed under a grouping node in the scene hierarchy. If the Create Local button is grayed out, select the parent group for the object or create a parent group if one doesn't currently exist.

Press the Select Parent up-arrow button to select the parent group, if there is one. If the Create Local button is still grayed out, choose Edit > Add Parent Group to create a parent group and enable the Create Local button.

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