NOTE: For your convenience this information is also found in an HTML file called "Readme.html". You may find it easier to read than this text file. EasyPose Chains copyright 2001 Ajax's Twisted Visions (ajaxsoyyo@yahoo.com) Requires: Poser 4.03 (Patch must be installed). Files in this zip: Readme.txt Licence.txt Readme.html ChainA101.obj ChainB101.obj ChainC101.obj ChainLA101.obj ChainLB101.obj ChainLC101.obj Chain NULL.cr2 Chain NULL.rsr Chain A011.cr2 Chain A011.rsr Chain A025.cr2 Chain A025.rsr Chain A051.cr2 Chain A051.rsr Chain A101.cr2 Chain A101.rsr Chain B011.cr2 Chain B011.rsr Chain B025.cr2 Chain B025.rsr Chain B051.cr2 Chain B051.rsr Chain B101.cr2 Chain B101.rsr Chain C011.cr2 Chain C011.rsr Chain C025.cr2 Chain C025.rsr Chain C051.cr2 Chain C051.rsr Chain C101.cr2 Chain C101.rsr Chain Low A011.cr2 Chain Low A011.rsr Chain Low A025.cr2 Chain Low A025.rsr Chain Low A051.cr2 Chain Low A051.rsr Chain Low A101.cr2 Chain Low A101.rsr Chain Low B011.cr2 Chain Low B011.rsr Chain Low B025.cr2 Chain Low B025.rsr Chain Low B051.cr2 Chain Low B051.rsr Chain Low B101.cr2 Chain Low B101.rsr Chain Low C011.cr2 Chain Low C011.rsr Chain Low C025.cr2 Chain Low C025.rsr Chain Low C051.cr2 Chain Low C051.rsr Chain Low C101.cr2 Chain Low C101.rsr Chn01 Shiny.pz2 Chn01 Shiny.rsr Chn02 Steel.pz2 Chn02 Steel.rsr Chn03 Brass.pz2 Chn03 Brass.rsr Chn04 Copper.pz2 Chn04 Copper.rsr Chn05 Dull Metal.pz2 Chn05 Dull Metal.rsr Chn06 Part Rust 1.pz2 Chn06 Part Rust 1.rsr Chn07 Part Rust 2.pz2 Chn07 Part Rust 2.rsr Chn08 Rust 1.pz2 Chn08 Rust 1.rsr Chn09 Rust 2.pz2 Chn09 Rust 2.rsr Chn00 11 to 3 links.pz2 Chn00 11 to 3 links.rsr Chn00 11 to 4 links.pz2 Chn00 11 to 4 links.rsr Chn00 11 to 5 links.pz2 Chn00 11 to 5 links.rsr TwistedRefl01.jpg TwistedRefl02.jpg AjChain_BB.jpg AjChain_Part.jpg AjChain_Part2.jpg AjChain_Rust.jpg AjChain_RustF.jpg EPChainsT.gif Short Overview This set of chains contains three basic chain types labelled A, B and C. Each one comes in a high polygon version and a low polygon version. They also come in lengths of 11, 25, 51 and 101 links. That makes a total of 6 meshes and 24 separate cr2 files. It can be confusing having so many. I suggest you load just the ones you think you'll use. The chains load with no textures. There are nine MAT poses in the "MAT Twisted" folder to give you nine different looks. Any of the MAT poses can be applied to any of the chains. There are an additional three MAT poses which are designed to shorten the 11 link chains by making some of the links transparent. Be careful with these since it is a lot of work to undo them if you take off too many links. The EasyPose node is located in Link01 of each chain. The chains contain a special set of node dials called "Catenary" dials. When set to 1000, catenary dials make the chain take the shape of a catenary - the shape of a hanging chain suspended at each end. Values close to 1000 approximate a catenary. The further you get from 1000 the less good the approximation. There are five catenary dials. Each one represents a different distance between the two suspension points. You can load any two different chains from the twenty four provided without problems but if you want to use the same chain twice in the same scene then you need to follow the procedure outlined in the known problems section. Contents How to install these figures Introduction to EasyPose Getting to know your EasyPose figure Known problems If you need help... How to install these figures. Installation is straightforward. Unzip the files to the directories shown below. If your zip utility supports folders, just turn on "use folder names" and extract the files to the directory where Poser.exe is located. If not, then extract the files to the following directories: ChainA101.obj...\Runtime\Geometries\Twisted\Chains ChainB101.obj...\Runtime\Geometries\Twisted\Chains ChainC101.obj...\Runtime\Geometries\Twisted\Chains ChainLA101.obj...\Runtime\Geometries\Twisted\Chains ChainLB101.obj...\Runtime\Geometries\Twisted\Chains ChainLC101.obj...\Runtime\Geometries\Twisted\Chains Chain NULL.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain NULL.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain A011.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain A011.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain A025.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain A025.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain A051.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain A051.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain A101.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain A101.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain B011.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain B011.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain B025.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain B025.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain B051.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain B051.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain B101.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain B101.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain C011.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain C011.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain C025.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain C025.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain C051.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain C051.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain C101.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain C101.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low A011.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low A011.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low A025.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low A025.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low A051.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low A051.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low A101.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low A101.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low B011.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low B011.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low B025.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low B025.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low B051.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low B051.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low B101.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low B101.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low C011.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low C011.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low C025.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low C025.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low C051.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low C051.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low C101.cr2...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chain Low C101.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\character\Twisted Chn01 Shiny.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn01 Shiny.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn02 Steel.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn02 Steel.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn03 Brass.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn03 Brass.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn04 Copper.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn04 Copper.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn05 Dull Metal.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn05 Dull Metal.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn06 Part Rust 1.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn06 Part Rust 1.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn07 Part Rust 2.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn07 Part Rust 2.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn08 Rust 1.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn08 Rust 1.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn09 Rust 2.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn09 Rust 2.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn00 11 to 3 links.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn00 11 to 3 links.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn00 11 to 4 links.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn00 11 to 4 links.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn00 11 to 5 links.pz2...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted Chn00 11 to 5 links.rsr...\Runtime\libraries\Pose\MAT Twisted TwistedRefl01.jpg...\Runtime\Reflection Maps TwistedRefl02.jpg...\Runtime\Reflection Maps AjChain_BB.jpg...\Runtime\Textures\Twisted\Chains AjChain_Part.jpg...\Runtime\Textures\Twisted\Chains AjChain_Part2.jpg...\Runtime\Textures\Twisted\Chains AjChain_Rust.jpg...\Runtime\Textures\Twisted\Chains AjChain_RustF.jpg...\Runtime\Textures\Twisted\Chains EPChains.gif...\Runtime\templates\Twisted You don't need to install all of these files if you don't want them. The chains marked "Low" are low polygon versions. If you have a lot of RAM you may not want them and if you don't have much RAM then you may not want the high polygon versions. The number in the name of each chain tells you how many links it has. 101 links is a lot so you may not need those versions. Introduction to EasyPose EasyPose is an application of ERC (Enhanced Remote Control) technology for Poser. EasyPose works by providing parameter dials which allow the user to simultaneously pose multiple body parts. Some dials affect all body parts equally while others affect different body parts in different ways. A number of special dials are located at particular body parts called "nodes". These node dials control a whole section (called the "node section") of the figure. Typical node dials can bend the whole node section evenly, bend the whole node section in an S or bend the whole node section in a spiral. Combining these dials produces more complex effects, for example combining an even bend with an even twist will produce a helical shape (like a "spiral" staircase) in the controlled node section. In addition to the special node dials, there are more mundane dials for each body part in the node section. These dials produce an even bend or even twist in all body parts between the selected body part and the end of the node section. They usually have the suffix "Aft" (short for "after" as in "bend everything after this point"). There are also dials which produce an even bend or twist in all body parts between the selected part and it's node (these have the suffix "Bef" for "before"). Getting to know your EasyPose figure. In order to familiarise yourself with the best methods of posing this figure, start by selecting a node. You will find parameter dials called "TwistAll", "SideSideAll", "BendAll", "Sbend", "SSideSide", "SpiralBend" and "SpiralSide". Try each of these parameter dials in turn and observe it's affect on the figure. It is best to set each dial to zero before trying the next one in order to get a clear idea of what each dial does. Once you have tried all of them, try some combinations. For example try "BendAll" combined with "TwistAll" - this can be useful for making the figure coil around objects. SpiralBend is best used in combination with BendAll - a little Spiral Bend and lot of BendAll will give you a nice sprial shape. These chains contain a special set of dials called "Catenary" dials. When set to 1000, catenary dials make the chain take the shape of a catenary, the shape of a hanging chain suspended at each end. Values close to 1000 approximate a catenary. The further you get from 1000 the less good the approximation. There are five catenary dials. Each one represents a different distance between the two suspension points. The Wave1 and Wave2 dials enable you to create an animated wave using just five keyframes and these two dials. For a tutorial that explains this and other aspects of EasyPose, see my website: http://www.renderosity.com/~ajax/ When you have finished getting to know the node parameter dials, select one of the node section segments. Here you will find more ERC parameter dials. These dials allow you to pose part of the figure. The "...Aft" dials act on all segments in the chain from the selected segment to end of the node section. The "...Bef" dials act on all previous segments in the chain back to the last node. For complex posing of the figure, begin by adjusting the node parameter dials. Once you have these where you want them, make finer adjustments using the ERC dials found in each body segment in the node section. Work down the hierarchy (from the node to the end of the node section), adjusting both the ERC dials and the normal dials as you go. For the chains, the node is Link01. Have fun. Known problems Poser 4 doesn't handle ERC channels as well as it could. You may encounter a common Poser 4 problem called "ERC crosstalk". This is where the ERC channels on one figure get megalomaniacal pretensions and take control of the same-named ERC channels on all figures in the scene (usually, the controlled figures will be copies of the megalomaniacal one). Many methods of fixing this have been publicised on the internet but most of them do not work reliably for everyone. Here, I have provided two methods for you to eliminate crosstalk. The first is the preferred method but if you can't get it to work then try the second one, which is guaranteed to work. Method 1 - Null loader (the preferred method) In the same library as the chains, you'll find a figure called "Chain NULL". To prevent crosstalk, load Chain NULL as the first figure in your new scene (it must be loaded before any other figure, chain or otherwise). Before loading a chain figure, select the null figure and select the body part called "BODY:1". Remember to do this before each additional chain that you load. Method 2 - Channel renaming (guaranteed to work) You will need a text editor capable of working with large files and with a find/replace tool. "WordPad" works. You could also use a word processor but you must be careful to keep the file in text format. Open the .cr2 file for the character in your text editor. Save it with a different name in the same folder. Use the find/replace tool of the text editor to find every occurrence of "QT1" and replace it with a different character sequence that is equally distinctive ("QT2" might be a good call). Don't forget to save again once you have finished. When you return to Poser, if you have the library open you will need to change to a different one and then back before you will see the new character, which will have a "shruggy guy" as it's icon. Now you can load your "QT1" character and your "QT2" character in the same scene without crosstalk problems. You will need to make a different version of the .cr2 for each figure you intend to have in your scene, unless you want them to look like they are doing synchronised swimming ;-) Note that there is nothing special about the sequence "QT1" - it just happens that I use this sequence in the identifier for every ERC channel I create. It is a sequence of characters that does not typically appear in .cr2 files, so a find-and-replace-all will only affect my ERC channels. If you ever find that a figure becomes impossible to load and Poser gives an error message complaining that it couldn't open the obj file, you have a corrupted resource file and can fix it as follows: Locate the obj file in the ...Runtime\Geometries folder. There will be a resource file with the same name but ending in rsr (ie if the geometry is called "thing.obj" the resource file will be "thing.rsr"). Delete the resource file (thing.rsr). This should fix the problem. If it doesn't, then try deleting the geometry as well (thing.obj) and re-instaling from your original zip file. Note that you won't be able to save poses made with the ERC dials to the pose library and the joint editor can not be used to zero the ERC channels. If you need help... If you run into problems with this character and the documentation doesn't help you to solve them, you can contact me for advice. My address is ajaxsoyyo@yahoo.com For tutorials, and free Poser goodies, try my site: http://www.geocities.com/ajaxsoyyo/index.html Ajax December 1, 2001