Visual style changes to wireframe when I change physical material from ABS

[dotyman]

I finished modeling a project and used the Rendering module to change the physical materials of my model from the default ABS Plastic. After doing this, if I go back into the modeling/design module, all of my components display in wireframe style unless they, or the parent component, is activated. 

Why is this? It makes making changes to the design harder now. Is there any way to have the different materials display in shaded style without having to change the material's "appearance" to ABS Plastic?

Thanks for any help anyone can provide.

dotyman

[Anonymous]

Could you share a screencast? Any inactive object that is outside the selected hierarchy will appear transparent - but not in wireframe, so I'm not sure what kind of behaviour you are seeing.

[dotyman]

Here you go...

Thanks for the reply.

dotyman

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately I don't see the screencast. When you're attaching it, make sure you press insert after selecting it.

Also do not edit the message with a screencast, it bugs out and removes it.

[jeff_strater]

I can explain what you are seeing here.  It is a combination of the "Active Component Visibility" preference, and a unique property (bug) with the ABS plastic material that prevents it from being made translucent that explains what you are seeing.  The following screencast also contains audio.

[Anonymous]

That's what I though he was seeing, just didnt know about the ABS bug 🙂

[dotyman]

Thanks Jeff–that explains it. I'm finding the same behavior. 

Knowing about the Active Component selection is good to know, and solves my issue.

Thanks again!

dotyman