Choose your Usage Mode
Understand Basic, Professional and Advance without guessing which controls are available.
Change mode#
Choose Studio menu → Preferences → Workspace → Usage Mode, select a mode to apply and save it immediately. Mode is a preference for this browser. The factory preference is Advance. These modes currently organize the interface; they are not paid subscriptions, user roles or security permissions.
| Mode | What it adds |
|---|---|
| Basic | Core lighting, all light types, linked lights, HDRi conversion, projects, exports, rigs, My Looks, bloom, lens flare, glare and tone mapping |
| Professional | Everything in Basic, plus HDR Canvas channels, Preset Library, chromatic aberration, LUT and vignette |
| Advance | Everything in Professional, plus the pixel probe, extended render controls, SSR, ambient occlusion and depth of field |
Follow the right learning path#
- Basic path: make a lighting setup, save it and export it.
- Professional path: inspect channels, reuse content and refine display color.
- Advance path: inspect pixels, control the camera and ground, and tune advanced preview effects.
Existing projects and hidden controls#
Changing modes changes the available tools. It does not create a separate project or convert your lights. Some unavailable preview effects are bypassed; the stored values can remain in the project. Return to a higher mode to inspect those settings. Reset All Scene Settings also resets settings hidden by your current mode.
The feature availability table is generated from the same mode rules the application uses. Article badges show the minimum mode for the article's primary task; articles covering several tools identify their additional requirements in the text.
Live Preferences#
Preferences apply and save as you edit, including Usage Mode, performance, preview quality and workspace choices. A layout reset also takes effect immediately. Drag the heading or unused space to move the window while inspecting the studio. Arrow keys on the movement handle move it in 10-pixel steps.
Clicking outside keeps Preferences open and allows interaction with the studio. Close or Escape dismisses it; the last active tab is remembered after reopening or reloading. Re-select a previous setting to reverse a change. Device checks use the current settings; let rendering settle before comparing readings.
Appearance is separate#
The Appearance section in Preferences offers Dark and Light themes in every Usage Mode. Theme changes apply and save immediately. The header appearance button is an immediate device preference. See Interface appearance.
Optional NURBS module#
Professional and Advance include NURBS viewing. Open it from Panels and enable it for the current project. Basic continues to display imported points, curves and saved/generated surface meshes. Usage Modes remain local interface preferences, not purchased subscriptions.
Advanced pivot#
Advance includes the optional Pivot Control module for custom transformation anchors and snap increments. It is disabled by default and can be enabled under Scene Settings. Basic and Professional retain the normal centered Transform workflow.
Use the troubleshooting guide to check the common causes and prepare a useful issue report.
Troubleshooting