Subject line pretty well says it.  I have a prop I've made and I'd like to label the mat zones better AND delete some that are unnecessary.  How do I go about this?

I go back into the modeler I made it in and do it there. I'd be interested to know if there's an easier or better way.

In Poser, you can't. You can use the group tool to change the mat zones for parts or all of a prop (or figure) and you can also add them there, but you can't remove or rename existing ones. You'll have to use other software for that. Most 3d modelers can do it. I don't know if UVmapper can.

To do this in a 3d modeler, export the obj (or use the original) and open it in the 3d app. Change the zones. export as an obj. Import into poser and save as a new prop.

As I suspected ... thank you for the information!  On to the next step! :) 

RedPhantom posted at 3:12 PM Mon, 6 March 2023 - #4457819

In Poser, you can't. You can use the group tool to change the mat zones for parts or all of a prop (or figure) and you can also add them there, but you can't remove or rename existing ones. You'll have to use other software for that. Most 3d modelers can do it. I don't know if UVmapper can.

To do this in a 3d modeler, export the obj (or use the original) and open it in the 3d app. Change the zones. export as an obj. Import into poser and save as a new prop.

UVMapper Pro definitely can.  You can delete any or all material zones, create new ones and (although I can't remember the steps) rename existing ones.  It's saved me some faffing about in the past with a rigged and finished figure.  If it's a simple prop, though, I usually drop it into Wings and work there.

IMO, using Poser File Editor, it may be possible:

Another option is manually editing the prop file (pp2), just be careful and always open/test/save from Poser as a copy for later use.

I use this trick a lot, using Notepad++ (text editor), there is a menu option language/J/JSON, it will let you collapse the nodes, similar to what Y-Phil shows above.

You can then search/replace/edit, from multiple files at once, results at the speed of light, very useful if you have too many files to edit!

WHile you can use PFE to delete material groups, they will also need to be deleted from the geometry as well. 

First, delete the material zones using a modeler or UV mapper pro.  Then you can use PFE to delete any materials that don't exist in the OBJ file. Open the associated Poser file in PFE and choose Repair > Correct Used Materials.

With guidance (and an awesome Beta tester) I was able to fix this! Thanks all!

I just use the grouping tool do this. Here's an example with a simple object, the morphing cylinder. It has two mats: Preview (for the body) and Caps (for the ends).

In the grouping tool, I create a new group, dabody. I add the Preview mat to this. Then I assign a new mat name to it: dabody. I then create a second group, daends. I add the Caps mat to this. Then I assign a new mat to it, daends.

In the mat room, you can see all four mats now: Preview, Caps, dabody, and daends.

Back in the grouping tool, I create another group, dawholething. I add the mats daends and dabody to it. Then I click Create Prop and name it dacyl.

In the mat room, you now see three mats for this object: daends, dabody, and Preview. You can't get rid of Preview, but Caps is gone.

Let's say I want another mat around the center of the body like a ring. I create that group as daRing and select the polys I want. I assign it with a new mat name daRing. Then I select the group dawholething. I do Create Prop again and name it dacyl2 to create a third object. This has four mats: daends, dabody, daRing, and Preview.

Of course, the object can be more complex than this, but it's the same idea. I just use the grouping tool.

Yes, but you're creating a new prop every time you want to reassign material groups.  It helps to preserve the original just in case of a problem but it can become convoluted if there is a much more complicated arrangement.

hborre posted at 3:09 PM Thu, 9 March 2023 - #4458016

Yes, but you're creating a new prop every time you want to reassign material groups.  It helps to preserve the original just in case of a problem but it can become convoluted if there is a much more complicated arrangement.

You can save the original object in the library, if it's not already there. And previous object versions are easy to delete. That's the beauty of the digital world!

My point was it's not necessary to leave Poser to create new mat names and remove the old ones.

Got it.