This page is early work in progress draft. Information may be incorrect or incomplete.

The Stage element of a Panel provides realtime 3D scene editing functionality. This element with the Canvas constitute the two main graphics creation interfaces that PanelForge provides.

This Stage working environment objective is to provide an intuitive working environment for both experienced uses of 3D graphics software and new users. The environment is presented in a familiar way in comparison to other 3D graphics software but with additions for users coming from a 2D image background.

The Stage contains a 3D scene which is made up of multiple objects that can be moved, scaled and rotated in three dimensional space. In depth information about these object types settings are found in Stage Object Attributes. These object include the following:

Geometry Model: A previously sculpted model that is constructed of flat geometric shapes that give the illusion of smooth solid surfaces.
Cameras: Objects that define where from and how the 3D scene is viewed. These objects mimic many real world conventions and settings of a traditional film camera.
Lights: Objects that illuminate the scene with various settings. Each camera also includes a light that is used by default to illuminate the scene.
Groups: An invisible object that is useful in defining the hierarchical relationship of objects in a scene.
Locator: A simple marker object that is not show in the export of the stage view to the Canvas.
Decal: A special object that can be used to project an image texture onto a Geometry Model Objects surface in a defined volume.

Palette Windows that are specific for use with the Stage are the following:

In addition to the above palette windows the following are also shown in the default Stage Workspace:

Stage Toolbar

The Stage Viewport is accompanied by a specialised toolbar at the top of the window. This toolbar is divided into the following sections:

Undo

An undo and redo button are located for the fast ability to toggle between document states.

Show Extras

A button with popup menu that provides the ability to quickly show and hide scene ornaments and object guides.

Quality

Popup menu to adjust the drawing quality of the current camera which the Stage viewport is being viewed through. The qualities are the following:

Bounding Box: The simplest view made up of boxes constructed of lines where each box shown encompasses a Geometry Model Object.
Wireframe: Shows the Geometry Model Object’s underlying geometry shapes with unfilled lines.
Fast Quality: The Geometry Model Object’s are shown in a simple shaded way optimised for the fastest drawing speed.
Best Quality: Uses advanced drawing methods to draw the scene in high quality while retaining realtime interaction. This Drawing method is also used for the final output of the Stage view to the Canvas.

Camera

Various controls to adjust camera related settings in the current Panel Stage.

Camera Selection Menu

A pop menu that is used to select which Camera object in the current Panels Stage is used when drawing the viewport. The following cameras are provided in the Stage scene to switch between:

Panel Camera: The main Stage camera that is used to generate the final output such as the ‘Stage Layer’ in the Panel’s Canvas. This Camera provides full Film Camera like functionality.
Edit Camera: A secondary Camera to assist in positioning and adjusting the Stage scene’s contents. This Camera provides full Film Camera like functionality.
Front Camera: A simple front viewing orthographic camera to assist in positioning and adjusting the Stage scene’s contents.
Top Camera: A simple top viewing orthographic camera to assist in positioning and adjusting the Stage scene’s contents.
Left Camera: A simple side viewing orthographic camera to assist in positioning and adjusting the Stage scene’s contents.

Home View Button

A button that resets the current Panel’s Stage Camera to it’s initial default position.

Fit View Button

A button that adjusts the current Panel’s Stage Camera view to encompass all the currently selected Stage object.

Workspace

Contains controls to switch the Workspace layout. These controls are present in all workspaces.

Popup Menu to select between the available workspaces. Last menu entry ‘Reset Default Workspaces’ will reset the default ‘Canvas Workspace’ and ’Stage Workspace’.
Button to switch between the current and previous workspace.