# Tips

## Reusing A Curve

Sometimes you may want to duplicate a curve from a strand that's already built into strands. If you simply select a Hair Strand Builder strand curve, and click on CTRL + D keyboard, chances are that the curve will be duplicated, yes, but if you try to 'Create' a strand from that curve, you will get an warning like

`Warning: |xgt_card2_grp|xgt_card2_group4_grp|xgt_card2_group4_grp_strand13|xgt_card2_group4_masterCrv14 is a curve created by the Hair Card Builder, please "rename" it or use a clean curve ...skipped`&#x20;

You can clean these kind of curves by going to Main UI > Menu > "Clean Selected Curve", and you will be able to create a strand from this curve again.

## Pinching Fix

There are two cases where a pinch may happen:

### Pinching Along A Strand

This can happen anywhere along the length of a strand.&#x20;

* To fix this, try setting the Aim Mode to Auto Normal or Aim Curve mode. Using Aim Curve mode, you will be able to 'spot' fix the problematic area by moving the CVs on the aim curve to address this issue.

<figure><img src="https://454332562-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FGyyK7o0fNRXvtva8vEkG%2Fuploads%2FeZTNvibJBNpPt3du7xSh%2FaimMode_aim_given_normal_fix_twist.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=f46229d1-7641-4cbe-9abd-5afc28abe9c5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Tip Pinching

This issue is also caused by the underlying curve normals, in conjunction with the 'scale' value being larger. (Imagine a '1 cm curve' with a scale of '3 cm'). It usually happens at the 'tip' of a strand.&#x20;

* To fix this, you can either:
* Lower the 'Sampling Accuracy' - shorter curve may require even lower value.

<figure><img src="https://454332562-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FGyyK7o0fNRXvtva8vEkG%2Fuploads%2FXVa7x6IwEOxmON8JFO5m%2Ftips_pinching_fix_a.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=7a75cf99-5f57-4a4f-8e29-92b99b0098a7" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* Or, using the Aim Curve mode and move the aim curve, or its CVs.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://454332562-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FGyyK7o0fNRXvtva8vEkG%2Fuploads%2FBdkh3RJQlsFacmmqcTse%2Ftips_pinching_fix_b.gif?alt=media&#x26;token=7d529406-a767-4193-8108-7897d7ae9ada" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Profile Curves

When there are profile curves, you may notice overlapping 'double' edgeloops sometimes on your strands. This is due to the way the tool is setup, lofting along multiple profile curves makes it inaccurate when the sampling is too low. To fix this issue, try adjusting the sampling accuracy higher. Open the Strand Editor,  Advanced Controls -> Sampling Accuracy.

## Utilizing The Rest of Groomer's Tools

Not only the Interactive Curve Tools are designed to fit the Hair Strand Builders, many other tools can also come in handy.&#x20;

* For example, you can use the [Broken link](https://nobraintools.gitbook.io/maya-groomers-tool/maya-tools/hair-strand-builders/broken-reference "mention") to cut multiple strands. Or use the [curve-clump-repel](https://nobraintools.gitbook.io/maya-groomers-tool/maya-tools/curve-clump-repel "mention")to make clumps of strands.&#x20;
* Try them, and please let me know if any are not working.
