This is fun, try it and you'll see! ;=]
(make a hard copy of these instructions for future reference)

How to use the "Grouping Tool." ("Group Edit" window)

The Group Tool can be used to:

1. assign different "material" to individual polygons on an object
2. create a new prop as a subset from an existing prop

Note: The Grouping Tool has other uses, also.
Only the basics are covered in this tutorial.

The only object we are going to use is the Poser "Ground Plane."(called GROUND)

First we need to SETUP the Poser studio.

Start Poser. First, we need to delete (or make invisible) ALL items (any figures or props) that are in the studio. (or you can move them so that they are NOT positioned on the GROUND) Use the "xTrans" -or- "zTrans" to move items. DO NOT use the "yTrans." To REMOVE an item (figure or prop): Select (click on) a figure (or prop) and then hit the "delete" key. To HIDE an item: Use the Poser menus: "Window" ---> "Hierarchy Editor" Now, click on the "eye" next to the item to hide it. (this does not delete the item but makes it invisible) When you have "removed " EVERYTHING from the studio, make sure that the "GROUND" is visible. If you can not see the GROUND, use the menus ... (or Ctrl+G): "Display" ---> "Guides" ---> "Ground Plane" If "Ground Plane" has a check next to it, it will be visible. Now, select the "Top Camera," and adjust it so that you can see all four sides of the GROUND in the window. Next, select "Hidden Line" (Ctrl+4) or "Lit Wireframe" (Ctrl+5) for the Document Display Style. (or you can use the Document Display Style toolbar) The GROUND will appear as 20 squares by 20 squares. This is going to be our "drawing board." Note:You DO NOT NEED to make any adjustments to any of the Lights.

Now, don't get nervous, we are going to take it ONE STEP at a time. ;=] ************************************* Chapter 2 - USING THE GROUP TOOL Ready? Ok, first select the "Group Tool." The "Group Tool" is the last button on the right of the "Editing Tools" toolbar. Click on it to open the "Group Edit" window. 1. Click on the "New Group" button. 2. Type the "group name" you want to use. (or you can just click "OK" to use the name "New Group") Note: when the cursor is in the render window, it will look like a "plus sign" (+). 3. Click on one of the squares to select that polygon. It will turn RED. Note: you can "click and drag" to select more than one square at a time. OPPS! - I made a mistake! - No problem, keep reading ... 4. If you want to "DEselect" a square (polygon), hold down the Control (Ctrl) key, (see the little "minus sign" (-) under the cursor?) and click on a square. (or you can "click and drag" to delete more than one square at a time) Ok, do you have all the squares selected (shown in RED) for your "New Group?" (did you use the squares to spell your name?) ;=] 5. Click on the "Assign Material" button. 6. Type in the name of the "material" that you want to "assign" to this group of polygons. (or you can just click "OK" to call the new material ---> "New Material") Do you want to see where the "New Material" went? Note: you don't need to exit the "Group Edit" to do the following ... "New Material" is the name you will see when you open: [Poser menu] "Render" ---> "Materials..." [in the "Surface Material" window] "Material:" (click on the down arrow to see the list) You will see your "New Material" listed (click to select it) Now you can: 1. select a color (highlight, etc.) 2. select a texture, bump map, etc. and it will ONLY affect the "group" that you defined. (the RED squares) (Note: they only show RED in the "Group Edit" mode) HEY! ... You don't believe me ... ? Just close the "Group Edit" window (click on the [X]) and select one of the other Document Display Styles. (Ctrl-6, 7, 8, or 9) Can you see your "New Group?" Good! Go to the head of the class! ;=]

This is real easy, .............. trust me. ;=] Ready, ok ... 1. Select the "Grouping Tool" 2. Select the polygons (RED) for your new group. 3. Click on the "Create New Prop" button 4. Exit [X} from "Group Edit" That's it! Go play with your new prop! ;=] Don't forget, your new prop is in the same place as the Ground Plane until you move it somewhere else. Try selecting your "New Prop" and increase (+) the "yTrans" parameter dial. You will see your new prop lift up off the GROUND.

When you have learned how to use the group tool, try using it on one of the simple (cube, ball, square, etc.) Poser props. Note: Did you see the "Hide Other Objects" check box at the bottom of the "Group Edit" window? If you check this box, everything in the studio will dissappear EXCEPT the object that is selected. This makes "group editing" much easier. Also, you can use any camera to view the object you are editing. You can also move, rotate, etc. the object that is being edited without leaving the editor. ************************************* cheers, dr geep ;=]

... 3D objects, that you don't accidentally "select" polygons on the front and back at the same time. Rotate the object to see exactly which polygons are part of your new group before you exit the "editor.". cheers, (again) dr geep ;=]

Good ole Doc Geep. Dis too I believe needs to be in the Backroom, whenever that gets going. Good stuff here, that'll learn them newbies...or scare the crap out of 'em. lol Keep it up man. :) ~EA

More good stuff, geep. Experiment with different display styles while using the grouping tool. Wireframe mode will select "through" the mesh and pick up the polygons on the front and back. That is good for "roughing in". Lit Wireframe mode will select only what is facing the camera, so it is easier to "fine tune" your selection. Also remember that if you save as a Cr2 or Pz3 after using the grouping tool, part or all of the mesh will be embedded in the file, and is technically not redistributable, and you might get into copyright trouble. That can also cause problems for Pro Pack users that don't have the latest updates.

Here is Jim's real short tutorial on the grouping tool: The grouping tool does nothing that you can't do better an another program you should have bought, and tends to inbed geometry, too, don't use it, it is evil! Sorry, geep, nice work, though!

No apology necessary, Jim, because you have a couple of valid points, but I appreciate the compliment. However, in my own defense, I will say that I wrote this for newbies that may only have Poser and want to know what the Grouping Tool is all about. That is why I only endeavored to explain the basics. More experienced and professional users, like yourself, will obviously opt for more sophisticated and robust software to accomplish the desired objectives. Thanks for your assessment, Jim. It might help others who are interested in pursuing 3D modeling to investigate other software and, as you have pointed out, avoid the pitfall(s) inherent in this "tool." cheers, dr geep ;=]