Activating tools from within OTLs

[adamvanner]

Im looking to create some tools which on painting on meshes (for orientation and for density) so I have an OTL with a paint and a comb node.

 

Ideally, the OTL would have a simple interface that would let the user paint both of these attribs from within the same tool (I may investigate the HDK to develop this), but being that its not too big a deal to toggle between a comb and a paint node Im looking at this first.

 

There are 2 other obvious approaches - one is to use externally created texture maps and the other is to simply expect the user to paint and comb the correct attribs onto the mesh - Im just mainly trying to avoid the latter for now

 

So far as I can see, handles are dealt with specifically, but Ive not found a way to get paint and comb manipulation to be moderated by the OTL - any ideas how this might be possible?

Many thanks in advance!

[Skybar]

You would need the user to dive into where the Paint SOP is inside the OTL, much like the Fur tools behave. It's not too hard to setup, in the Type Properties -> Basic for the OTL you have a field called "Editable Nodes". Type in the name for your Paint SOP there, and the user will be able to edit the Paint SOP while the rest of the network is still locked. Then just create a button or something on your OTL that dives into the asset and selects the Paint SOP when clicked.

[adamvanner]

ah thanks - yes if that's how fur grooming works (this is actually a very similar task) the way you suggest is probably the best approach

I may look into the HDK to see whether developing a new tool is straightforward or not but great to know this way works with what will be minor changes!

Cheers!