# Draw Strand Tool

You can choose to create strands by using the Draw Strand Tool. It's a tool that builds on top of the Maya dynWire context, and using the [Strand Presets](/maya-groomers-tool/maya-tools/hair-strand-builders/strand-presets.md)that you already have, you can now **draw strands directly** in the scene.

<figure><img src="/files/tMuuajOaNj4e1LMfFz2u" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Creation

* Like all Maya Paint FX tools, a mesh will require UV and frozen transforms to work properly. Select a mesh and click on "Create UV" button will do this automatically for you.

{% hint style="info" %}
If you do not want your mesh to be tinkered around, duplicate it and then use that as the PFX mesh.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/64SyUuqea1UvfGw47JRW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Select a layer from the "Into Layer" option menu. If you do not have a layer yet, you will need to create one first.
* Then choose a [Strand Presets](/maya-groomers-tool/maya-tools/hair-strand-builders/strand-presets.md) in the field below, and click on Paint.
* While in the paint brush, holding down Maya's default hot key "**B**" will allow you to adjust the brush size. The brush size will determine the scale of the strand.

<figure><img src="/files/mx6nhFWCmAKSFquIf00Z" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
A newly created strand will apply all the settings from a strand preset. This includes Aim Mode, UVs, Creases (for tubes).&#x20;
{% endhint %}

* When you have multiple layers available, you can swap between them by selecting them in the Into Layer option menu.

<figure><img src="/files/MyNCsAvCNzS4GteMEjIo" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Draw at Depth**

* When "Draw at Depth" is **On** - Strokes can go outside of the PFX Mesh.

<figure><img src="/files/EJqG0TBAzdYoB3zzBz8R" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When "Draw at Depth" is **Off**- Strokes will **hug** on the PFX Mesh.

<figure><img src="/files/Vw3qiVmDvV6edeVkBQqV" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Auto Orient**&#x20;

* **For Tubes:** Orient reference point will always be from the root faces that's closest to the lowest point on the Z axis of the root profile curve.
* **For Cards:** Automatically orient the drawn cards to the defined PFX mesh. The orient function will take the sample distance % from the Scene Preset .&#x20;
* Menu > Set Scene Presets > Orient Sample Distance %. [Scene Presets](/maya-groomers-tool/maya-tools/hair-strand-builders/scene-presets.md#orient-sample-distance-card-only)

### **Spans**

* The curve spans of the drawn hair tube. Set this higher if you know your hair strand will be more complex, you can always set this number lower in the Strand Editor afterward.

### **Smooth**

* When on, performs an auto smoothing on drawn hair strands

## Undo

While I try to make things as user friendly as possible, Maya and its dynWire context has an issue where undoing the entire stroke isn't possible.&#x20;

* To undo a stroke, please exit the tool, by pressing down "W", "E", or "R", hit CTRL + Z to undo.
* You will see a black tube (that's the residue from Maya's dynWire context). Just hit CTRL+Z again.
* To re-enter the tool, you can use the "G" key to quickly do so.

<figure><img src="/files/hBuicSCBKDMhyQWR2jxz" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>


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