I have been resting for a bit not to burn out, but I wanted to show you the latest tool on the Houdini grooming shelf.
The tube to curve utility.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60677e318aaf24239d402e93/63d41e8db6f0f474431db5d8_91c84178-a4fe-47c5-b426-301b48cc2607.gif)
This is similar to what the function of the utility xgen has does, but the biggest difference is that this version does not requires NURBS or a good topology. This means that any tube can be converted into curves along or across.
Making possible work directly with Zbrush sculps without caring about the topology.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60677e318aaf24239d402e93/63d41ea320003553352f620e_a672e80a-326a-4d32-8cf2-6aa1eddf6587.png)
Direction
Controls the direction of the curves via U and V attributes.
Along : distributes curves via the U attribute of the tube.
Across: distributes curves via the V attribute of the tube.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60677e318aaf24239d402e93/63d41ebd20003564fe2f6f14_fceafdfc-919e-4273-8b37-6f9c28d08440.gif)
Capture Resolution
Control the amount of points used to capture the shape of the tube, the higher the number the more complex the shape to capture.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60677e318aaf24239d402e93/63d41ee39a3dfdc1b2aab71a_8c0c68f4-603f-4ed1-afde-9bbac7d2dee9.gif)
Along resolution
Controls the amount of points along the U direction of the tube.
If Direction is ALONG, increases the amount of curves
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60677e318aaf24239d402e93/63d41f018987be3d043c33ee_24cd6688-4513-4cda-aad6-c4175105db4d.gif)
If Direction is ACROSS, increases the amount of points per curve before the shape capture
its not the same as curve resolution that happens AFTER capture.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60677e318aaf24239d402e93/63d41f1e9a3dfd57e4ab1b74_3297edf1-47c2-46be-9562-c4e953819aa8.gif)
Across resolution
Controls the amount of points along the V direction of the tube.
If Direction is ALONG, increases the amount of points per curve before the shape capture
its not the same as curve resolution that happens AFTER capture.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60677e318aaf24239d402e93/63d41f3720003554552fa48c_dcefb76f-686a-4453-b5ef-a8f8105791ff.gif)
If Direction is ACROSS, increases the amount of curves.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60677e318aaf24239d402e93/63d41f4d80f4aa2ffa3075df_8ba84559-86bf-46e5-8eae-ca1afe3e0aa9.gif)
Curve Resolution
Increases the amount of points per curve after capture Either along or across. This is a post process and have no influence over the capture.
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60677e318aaf24239d402e93/63d41f6d25c8c62a6cf5a697_3e74bdec-19bc-471b-822b-60414f6eb8ae.gif)
Examples
![](https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/60677e318aaf24239d402e93/63d41f99b2113f70b62352d5_dae989b3-113e-41e1-aaf2-fc2162dca5db.gif)