CURVE TO BRAIDS
Converts a Maya curve into a braid, extracts curves from braids. Build in cornrows tool
  • Last updated: Pre V.12.00
Braid Layer UI

Create Braid Layer:
  • Select curve(s), and click on this button to create a new braid layer.
Refresh List:
  • Sometimes a layer is deleted or when a new Maya scene is opened, click on this button to refresh the layer list so it can pick up correct layers in current scene.
Extract All Curve - Center:
  • Extract curves from all braid layers from the center of each braid tube. This extracts only curves from the braid geometry, and does not extract the side curves.
Extract All Curve - Topology:
  • Extract curves from all braid layers using the topology of each braid tube. This extracts only curves from the braid geometry, and does not extract the side curves.
Remove All Layers:
  • Delete all layers and the setup.
​
You can Copy & Paste a layer by right clicking on the 'xgtBraidGroup' button
​
Braid Control UI

Select Braids:
  • Users can now click on this bottom on the very top of the UI to quickly select all braids in this layer.
​Template On Curve Toggle:
  • When this is turn on, curve toggling will also set template to the geometry. Sometimes this allows easier viewing of the geometry while moving CV's of curves.
Re-Cal Curve:
  • After manipulating curve CVs, if the length of the curve has changed, click on this button to re-length geometries to the length of curves.

Main Control Tab

Scale: 
  • Controls the size of all braids in the current layer, this is a global scale. Scaling this will also scale the knot width.
Length SubD:
  • Controls the length subdivision of all braids in the current layer.
Width SubD: 
  • Controls the width subdivision of all braids in the current layer.
Knot Width:
  • Controls the size of braid knots. This is an separate control to adjust the knot width. The higher the number, the bigger the knots and the lesser braid knots there will be.
Tube Width:
  • ​Controls to adjust the tube thickness of each braid tube.
Twist:
  • Twists the entire braid around the central axis. This setting can to be coupled with the twist ramp. When a point value on ramp is above 0.50, it twist counter-clockwise. When it is below 0.5, it twists clock-wise.

Misc Controls

Flatness:
  • Flattens the braid tubes. Sometimes it's useful to make the braid slightly flatter to create a more natural look.
Noise Scale:
  • Scale of noise on braid tubes.
Noise Frequency:
  • Rate of the noise. Higher number will give more 'curls' to the braid tubes.


Side Curve Control UI

Toggle Current:
  • Show/Hide extraction plane for the current layer.
Toggle All:
  • Show/Hide all extraction planes including the current braid layer and other braid layers.
Update Plane:
  • Sometimes in order to get the ideal side curves, the underlying braid needs to be adjusted. Please use this button to re-calibrate the extraction plane after adjusting on braids. This will 'refresh' the plane that is used for side curve extraction. 
Plane Scale:
  • Controls the size of the extraction plane.
Plane Rotation:
  • Controls the rotation of the extraction plane.
Plane Scale:
  • Controls the size of the extraction plane.
Start Cut Off:
  • The starting distance in %, of the extraction plane. Please always leave a bit of rooms when extracting side curves, usually 10~15 is ideal.
Plane Scale:
  • The ending distance in %, of the extraction plane.
Plane Distance:
  • Offset the extraction plane away from the central axis.
Iteration:
  • For braids with smaller knots, a higher iteration is required (usually 3-4 is ideal). For bigger knots, use lower iteration count. Higher iteration will be slower when it comes to side curve extraction
Angle:
  • Pushes the root of extracted curves forward or backward.
Trim on Start:
  • This will trim off the 'excess' bits of curves to the extraction plane's starting cut off point.
Check out how to utilize the Curve Sculpt Tool with the Braid Tool
Note: If braids do not dynamically follow the Maya curve, please make sure your timeslider is at the very first frame.