Importing hair models to Poser

"Blow-dry, bouffant, basic training,
Cops in drag dressed up like whores
Cowboys in ponytails, bankers in bangs,
Presidents in pompous pompadours."
["Hairstyles and attitudes", Timbuk3]

1

Create a new Poser figure. You can choose the figure type, but don't yet scale or pose the figure in any way. Posing or scaling the figure makes it harder to get the hair to line up properly, so you should add hair first, then pose your figure.

2

From the Import submenu on the File menu, choose the entry corresponding to the file format that you want to import. For the samples on the Poser 2 CD, choose Wavefront OBJ. (See also the note about file types at the foot of this page.

3

A file dialog box will appear, asking you to choose the file you want to use. Choose a suitable file.

4

An options dialog appears, giving you the import options for the file you have chosen.

Figure 1: Poser prop import dialog

For the Poser hair models from the CD, you can uncheck the Percent of Standard Figure Size checkbox. This will cause the prop to be imported at its default size which - for 'official' models - is more or less the correct size. If you are importing a model from some other source, whose default size may not automatically be correct, you may want to check this box and enter a value of about 12-15%. It doesn't actually matter if the model comes in too large or too small; you can always scale it manually after import.

5

Click OK and the prop will be imported.

6

The model usually appears on the floor at the figure's feet, so you will need to move it up. Don't try to drag it directly. Instead, switch to Side View, and use the ytran parameter dial at the bottom of the Parameter Dials window (choose Parameter Dials from the Windows menu if the Parameter Dials are not already shown). Turn the dial until the model lines up correctly with the figure's head. You may also need to make some very minor adjustments with the xtran and ztran dials. If the model isn't the right size, you can also use the scale dials to change its size.

7

Once you have the model correctly lined up, you should lock it to the figure's head, so that it will stay in place when you pose the figure. To do this, select the model, and choose the Properties ... item from the Edit menu. A dialog will appear, allowing you to set the properties of this object.

Figure 2: Object properties dialog

The checkboxes can be left alone. However, you should probably rename your hair object from the default (something like OBJ_IMPORT1) to something more memorable, such as Hair). This will make it easier to recognise in menus.

8

To link the hair object to the figure's head, click the Set Parent button. A second dialog will appear.

Figure 3: Object parent dialog

Choose 'head' from the pop-up menu on the dialog and click OK. This will link the wig to the figure's head, so that when the head moves, the wig moves with it. If you ever need to unlink the wig, you can return to this dialog and choose 'none'.

9

Click the OK button to exit the properties dialog. You may now pose and edit your figure.