How do I create / Visualize handles on a Digital asset for # objects?

[hyperforce]

I am trying to create a more intuitive control system for my digital asset.

Inside the asset I have a few nodes that contain handles, but they only appear if I select the nodes that contain the handles.

The amount of objects that these handles can manipulate can vary greatly, so it needs to be dynamic.

One of these is the Add node to move objects throughout my scene, and another is a paint node (see image) with which I can "paint" railings on ledges and catwalks.

Making a handle persistent works for single objects with handles, but since I might not have the same amount of objects at all times, this doesn't work for me. Adding a handle into the digital asset works as well, but again only for a single fixed object. Usually adding the # symbol behind the name will work. but if I try this with the handle editor I get this error: oplib:/Sop/handleTest?Sop/handleTest Error(13): error binding handle

I haven't found any way to promote or make visible the paint tool brush.

Does anyone know a way to make this work?

Edited September 17, 2012 by hyperforce

[rafaelfs]

I don't think there is a way to promote the brush in a locked asset, it used to be a limitation of houdini itself.

I tried to do the same almost a year ago, almost burnt my noodle trying to make it work and finally someone in the forums at SESI (a developer I think) said something along those lines. They'd have to re-code the paint SOP to allow for handle export.

About the other nodes, I wouldn't be able to tell but for the paint SOP, I ended up leaving all the attribute creation and manipulation outside the HDA and then just referenced it inside my asset. Felt more elegant that way.

Cheers