# Using The Interactive Curve Tools With Strand Builders

## Combining The Work Flow with Interactive Curve Tools 

The Interactive Curve Tools will greatly enhance your working experience when working with the Hair Strand Builders.  

{% hint style="info" %}
Visit to learn more about [Interactive Curve Tools](/maya-groomers-tool/maya-tools/interactive-curve-tools.md)
{% endhint %}

It's highly <mark style="background-color:$success;">**recommended**</mark> that you take 3 minutes to install the Marking Menu to make this workflow even faster!

{% hint style="info" %}
Visit to learn more about [Marking (Radial) Menu](/maya-groomers-tool/start/marking-radial-menu.md)
{% endhint %}

***

## Sculpt

* Sculpt Brush LMB function, sculpts single strand, or multiple strands.

<figure><img src="/files/uqdVP9RRpejNqOtjvEP6" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* CTRL + LMB - Root Snap a strand root to a defined base mesh. Duplicate a strand, and CTRL + LMB to move-to-snap a bit away from the original strand. Creating layers will be super easy and fun this way.

<figure><img src="/files/zMm5eDVrvR3rIvlWlnaE" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* MMB to smooth out any uneven strands.

{% hint style="warning" %}
In Maya 2022, if you manually set to use Python 2, the smoothing function will not work 'smoothly'. Please consider upgrading to Python 3 (default)
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/ZN7Mz2bJ4aNadj1cLIsf" alt=""><figcaption><p>MMB to smooth curves</p></figcaption></figure>

* With the Sculpt Brush active, now you can quickly adjust the scale and rotation/orientation of any tube/card strands!

<figure><img src="/files/wqUrIiHeZ3s7QRW2r5Z9" alt=""><figcaption><p>You can quickly adjust the strands with the Sculpt Brush (SHFT + MMB (Rotate), or CTRL + MMB (Scale)</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/g3cnUKSsKQ1zl5VHkBxH" alt=""><figcaption><p>You can quickly adjust the strands with the Sculpt Brush (SHFT + MMB (Rotate), or CTRL + MMB (Scale)</p></figcaption></figure>

***

## Cut

* With the drag-cut tool, you can now create layers of strands very easily.&#x20;

<figure><img src="/files/96cd3OinKvS7l78N9IY0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## Attach

* Sample a section of the curve, and the sampled section will be attached to the end of the curve.&#x20;
* You may need to increase the subdivision of the strand to accommodate for the extended curve.

{% hint style="info" %}
Users have found usefulness on twisty, wavy, curly curves.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/4V8LnQsI4HpQzj9YfNQG" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## Draw

* With the draw tool, you can also extend the hair strands the way you want it.&#x20;
* You may need to increase the subdivision of the strand to accommodate for the extended curve.

<figure><img src="/files/FjUTOs6kx7pl3JUJAclW" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## Geometry Mode Support (Auto Curve Selection)

* When in  Geometry UV mode ![](/files/PhIUDAl7X7u4JNUUvcBa), geometries are displayed and curves are hidden. The Interactive Curve Tool requires curves to be visible to be function. As of V15.02, the tool will detect if it's a Hair Strand Builder strand, and automatically show/hide the curves.&#x20;
* You can select a strand, and trigger the curve by doing any of these:
  * Clicking on an icon in the Interactive Curve Tool UI,
  * Hitting the repeat last step hotkey (Maya Default is the "G" key on your keyboard),
  * Or through the Marking Menu&#x20;
* In geometry mode, existing an interactive tool will automatically hide the curve.

<figure><img src="/files/3eS3jJ3CXARqWjV314El" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## Aim Curves

* The Interactive Tools will also work on the aim curve of strands. You can use it to quickly fix some problematic areas as shown in the [Aim Controls](/maya-groomers-tool/maya-tools/hair-strand-builders/aim-controls.md#use-given-normal) page.

<figure><img src="/files/6r5KpzWdbT714P4I08NE" alt=""><figcaption><p>Using the Interactive Sculpting Tool, we can fix both the strand curve, and the aim curve.</p></figcaption></figure>


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