[Figure 5-1] Import Options dialog box

Loading External Props
To load an external 3D object as a prop, select File, Import and choose the 3D format that matches your 3D object. The available 3D formats that Poser can import include QuickDraw 3DMF, 3D Studio 3DS, DXF, LightWave LWO, and Wavefront OBJ. After you select an import format, the Import Options dialog box, shown in Figure 5-1, is displayed. After setting the import options and clicking OK, a File dialog box appears where you can locate the specific file to open. Select the file and click the Open button. To learn more about these import options, see Chapter 4, “Working with Files and Accessing Content Paradise.”

Deleting Props
Selected props can be deleted using the Object, Delete Object menu command. This command is different from the Delete Figure command found in the Figure menu.

[Figure 5-2] Imported table prop

Import Props
1.         Open Poser with the default mannequin visible.

2.         Select File, Import, Wavefront OBJ.

The Import Options dialog box appears.

3.         In the Import Options dialog box, enable the Centered, Place on Floor, and Offset options. Set the Z-Axis Offset values to [ms]0.5 and click OK.

A file dialog box appears.

4.         Locate and import the Table.obj file and click Open.

The imported table object is displayed behind the figure, as shown in Figure 5-2.

5.         Select File, Save As and save the file as Imported table prop.pz3.

SELECT, POSITION, AND EDIT PROPS
You can select props by using the Props submenu of the Actor list located at the top of the Document Window and at the top of the Parameters/Properties palette. You can also select props from the Hierarchy Editor, which is opened using the Window, Hierarchy Editor menu command.

[Figure 5-3] Prop parameters

Using the Editing Tools
Once selected, props can be edited using all the standard buttons found in the Editing Tools. The Rotate (R) and Twist (W) tools are used to spin the prop about its view axis or about its center vertical axis. The Translate/Pull (T) and Translate In/Out (Z) tools can position the prop within the scene. The Scale (S) tool changes the size of the prop and the Taper (P) tool scales one end of the prop. Finally, the Color (C) tool can change the color of the prop. After selecting a tool, drag within the Document Window when the prop is highlighted in white. All of the Editing Tools are covered in more detail in Chapter 3, “Editing and Posing Figures.”

Using the Parameter Dials
The position, orientation, and scale of the selected prop can also be controlled using the various parameter dials found in the Parameter palette, shown in Figure 5-3.

Dropping to the Floor
Selected props can also be moved vertically until their lowest point is in contact with the ground floor using the Figure, Drop to Floor (Ctrl+D) menu command. This command can also be used to raise a prop that is positioned below the ground plane.

Locking Props
When the prop is positioned exactly where you want it to be, you can lock its position and orientation using the Object, Lock Actor menu command. This prevents the prop from being accidentally moved. To unlock a locked prop, just select Object, Lock Actor again to disable the toggle.