reference materialHoser Plug-in
by Corina Cook 		 
 
Hoser is a valuable tool, part of the Taft plug-in by Worley. It allows you to create interactively flexable hoses, tentacles, tails, pipes, cables, ropes, you name it, all without the mess of IK or bones. The hose object can be anchored at each end, or one end can be free to move independently.

This tutorial is for the first version of Hoser. The latest version might not be as picky.



The How-To:
If you would like, download object "Ceiling_monster" and follow along, or create your own. For this example I have an object with a body that will be the center, a cylinder for the hoses, a spike for a hand, and a ceiling for a stationary object.

In Hoser everything is effected on the +x axis. Nulls must be rotated in the same direction as the object they're working with. To minimize confusion, I like to start with all hoses facing the same direction, to +x, so that you can rotate the nulls the same amount you rotate the hose. If all your hoses are the same, you can just import that object layer over and over instead of copying them in modeler. However, you don't have to go that far, it's completely possible to take an object with limbs going everywhich way and set it up by sight.
   
Step 1: Position the hose-object and parent it to the body. The shortcut for motion options is the M key.
   

Step 2: Add Nulls for the anchor(s) and base.

You can name the nulls anything, but when there are 3+ nulls controlling a limb they operate in alphabetical order, from base to tip, so it's best to name the base null "A (whatever)" and the end null "Z (whatever)."
   
Step 3: Parent the base null to the body. Do the same with the end null if you want the end to move when the body moves; if you want the end to be stationary, don't parent it.
   
Step 4: Move the nulls to the ends of the hose (or middle, if you have a middle null.) If you have a hand object, parent it to the Z null.
   
Step 5: Select the hose object and go to Properties --> Deform tab --> Add Displacement and click Hoser.
   
Step 6: Double click "Hoser: No Anchor" and set the Controller as the Z null (and any middle nulls.) Next set the Base as the A null. You may experiment with the other settings to figure out what works best for the type of object you're emulating.
   

Step 7: Move the Z null and voila! Instant, easy twists and turns! If you parented the Z null to the body, it will move with the body like an arm. If you left the z null unparented, it will stay put like a leg.

Follow the same steps with some more hoses. KEEP TRACK OF HOW MUCH YOU ROTATE EACH LIMB as you set them up so that you can ROTATE THE NULLS THE SAME AMOUNT. If you don't, your object will explode. Seriously.
   

Issues: Make sure nulls are named alphabetically or your hose will loop around crazy.
Make sure nulls are rotated same amount as hose object before you activate hoser. Afterwords you can rotate the end (and middle) nulls as much as you want.

Files for download
Ceiling_monster.lwo
Ceiling_monster.lws
   
web page contact: Vonda Yarberry
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