Hair Tube Builder (Beta)
Last updated
Last updated
2025/05/18
Before we start, please make sure you have duplicated your xgtc folder as a backup.
With Hair Tube Builder, since it also has a preset folder, please back up your xgtc_presets folder as well
Adding mid curves will allow you to adjust the shapes, in the 'middle' part of your tube strands.
Adding Mid curves will increase the strand subdivision automatically.
A section for Profile curves has been added. Now you can toggle all root, tip, or mid curves.
To insert a middle curve, Right click on the rootCrv, or any midCrvs button.
To toggle a profile curve, simply click on the button itself.
Holding down Ctrl + click will show multiple profile curves.
You can adjust the slider to change the position of the middle curve alone the path curve.
Please be aware that the slider should sit 'in-between' the previous and the next profile curve, to avoid pinching.
To Remove, right click on the midCrv#_# button and select remove
You can also remove all the middle curves by clicking on Remove All button
Even Out sliders: when you have multiple mid curves, clicking on Even Out button will automatically space out the sliders evenly.
New CV Label function has been added. You can now select the label numbers directly to set crease or UV seams.
A new Paint Effect Drawing ability has been added, you can now draw strands, based on the preset that you choose.
Before painting a strand, you will need to select a mesh, and then click on the 'Create UV' button to prepare it for Paint Effect drawing.
Select a preset, and click 'Paint'
Presets are saved from the Strand Editor. If there are no existing presets, only the 'default' will show up in your PFX scrolling field.
Holding down B and Left Mouse Button Drag to adjust the brush scale.
To allow easier manipulation of UVs, or just as a preference, you can toggle between geometry mode, or curve mode (default).
When In geometry mode, you will see the UVs in Maya's UV editor.
When in geometry mode, there are a few limitations, such as moving a strand to another layer
You will still be able to use the Strand Editor and adjust strand attributes.
You will now be able to store your hair tubes into a library, and share it across different scenes.
You can save the entire hair style, parts of the hair, or even just a strand.
Before you can save, please create a category by clicking on the 'New Category' button.
Then, select hair strands, give it a name, and hit save.
To import, simply pick an item and click on 'Import' button.
the imported strands will come in and automatically loaded into your Hair Tube Builder UI.
It will come in with a prefix, this is to prevent files overwriting each other. You can either rename the layers, or move the strands to another layer.
An automatic UV detection has been implemented. Whenever you move a UV, it will now be baked and remembered. This will allow adjustments such as changing the 'subdivision', adding/removing mid curves, changing shapes, to destroy your pre-existing laid out UVs.
In order for this to work, the UVs need to be set to Stripe or Grid. It can not be tilted (if you need to rotate it, make sure you do it with 180 degree increment), and it needs to be vertical.
Now you can have multiple strands selected, and adjust their attributes at the same time. When multiple strands are selected, a Message will show up in the Strand Editor to indicate so.
Adjustments that will not be applied to selected strands:
Moving CVs in the Profile CV Editor window.
Adding/Removing CV points
If you have a file that was created with V14.03 (our latest release), you can update it by going to Menu-> Update V14.03 Scene to current
Please Do NOT save an library item using older files.
When working on a strand, turning off 'Crease Geometry', and 'Auto UV' checkbox can save you from slight delays with operations like, subdivision change, inserting/removing mid curves.
UV of strand is now 'remembered' in the strand attribute, meaning, you can keep the Auto UV off for when you are editing the strands. Once you are done, turn Auto UV checkbox back on and the UV will be positioned.
To prevent hair tube strands to twist around while sculpting, you can 'Toggle Aim Curve' in the Strand Editor, and move the aim curve further back.
Adjustment: Use Given Normal integer field boxes are now float boxes, allowing finer controls.
Adjustment: Option for pasting “only creases” is removed. Pasting shapes will now also paste crease settings.
Fixed: UVs will now properly copy over to other strands (When set to Stripe or Grid)
Fixed: Presets will now properly apply when there are multiple strands selected.
Improvement: Aim curves will now be automatically selected when toggled, with the pivot set to their roots
Improvement: Improved the ability to undo using Sculpt Tool when the Strand Editor is open.
Improvement: Set pivot to root of aim curve on strand creation.
