It would be very helpful if we could add an option to include/exclude whole layers from light affect list.
Submitted on AHA Ideas (VRAYMAX-I-66).
It wouldn’t be possible to be done in the same Include-exclude window. For instance, we cannot mix layers with objects in the same list. What we could do is an approach similar to the one made in the Render setting-> Render mask. Would this be ok with what you need for the light?
Submitted on AHA Ideas.
Yes, no need to be the same window. The end result is what matters - the ability to exclude whole layers, no matter what what objects are inside, so no need to constantly pick new objects.
One such example would be if you have uplit trees and lights that only affect them. If you need to add new such trees, you need to remember to add the new ones in the include list. If you have multiple different lights that need to affect them, it becomes tedious. If we can use layers, the trees just need to be in the correct layer and all will be fine.
Although this should be a separate request, in max 2024 the layer selection window lists them by order of creation and not alphabetically. This is very inconvenient if you need to browse through tens of layers to select a few. This might be a max thing and not vray, but if there is a way to be fixed, it will be amazing.
Submitted on AHA Ideas.
Hi. Thank you for the clarification.
About Max, you can change the criteria by which the layers are sorted.
Submitted on AHA Ideas.
Hi Dimitar,
Thank you for the clarification and the quick replies. We are aware of the layer sorting in the standard scene explorer, but in the layer selection window that opens when you set up render mask or VRayLightSelect, the layers are sorted by age only with no obvious option to rearrange them. Please see the attached screenshot. On the left is the scene explorer with layers arranged alphabetically. On the right is the layer include list for Render Mask.
Submitted on AHA Ideas.
Hi. Thanks for the image and the explanation. Well, this is still a Max window. It might need a bit more investigation. I guess we could also explore how to improve the sorting if this idea gets more popular.
Submitted on AHA Ideas.
In general, I would recommend everyone who opens this idea to also address the same wish to Autodesk. It would be a lot easier for every 3rd party plug-in if Autodesk could add this functionality. V-Ray only attaches to the integrated Max’s dialog window.
Submitted on AHA Ideas.
Done with V-Ray 7.2 for 3ds Max 
Submitted on AHA Ideas.
Is this something that is available in V-Ray for SketchUp?
If so, do you know where I can find instructions on how to find this option? I’m running out of search terms to try.
If not, do you know of a possible workaround to control lights on different SketchUp tags
Thanks
Submitted on AHA Ideas by Brian Benham.
AHA Ideas status: Released.
Set during AHA Ideas to Discourse migration.