Loading Library Prop Clothes
Although almost any object, including body parts, can be treated as cloth, you’ll typically want to look for cloth objects in the Props Library category. Within each folder are thumbnails of the various clothing objects. With a clothing object thumbnail selected, click the Apply Library Preset button at the bottom of the Library palette and the selected object is loaded into the Shader Window. Figure 5-19 shows the default Alyson figure with a set of prop hair and clothes added. I guess clothes do make the man.

The Figures category also includes a Casual version of the Ryan and Alyson figures that includes clothes.

Loading Library Conforming Clothes
Many objects in the Props category of the Library are conforming objects. These objects are created to fit exactly on the matching figure. These clothes will fit the designated figure exactly as long as the character is in the default T-pose, but posing a character leaves the clothes behind. To conform these clothing props to its new pose, choose the Figure, Conform To menu command. This opens a dialog box where you can select the figure to conform the prop object to. Conformed clothes assume the new pose and are bound to the model so that they move with the figure to all new poses.

Clothes that conform to a figure shouldn’t be used in a dynamic simulation. For cloth to be simulated properly, it needs to be free of any intersections with the scene objects. Also, conforming clothes are set to move with the body and including conforming clothes in a cloth simulation will make it so the clothes no longer move with the body.

Poser 8 includes a new script utility called Wardrobe Wizard that lets you convert clothes made for one figure to fit on another figure. You can learn more about this utility in Chapter 18, “Working with Scripts.”

Conforming Clothing Props to a Figure
Another way to attach props to an object is to make clothing props conform to a figure’s shape using the Figure, Conform To menu command. Conforming clothes are best applied to naked figures. Most clothes are loaded as figures and can be selected from the Figure list at the top of the Document Window. Selecting the Figure, Conform To menu command opens the Conform To dialog box, shown in Figure 5-20, where you can select the figure to which to conform the clothing. Figure 5-21 shows a shirt and pair of pants conforming to a figure.

When loading a clothing item from the Library, use the Add New Item button instead of the Replace Figure button or the current figure will be removed.