Non-linear Deformers

Change Menu Set to Animation

Open Y:\Courses\2012-2014\AC5002_Conroy_AU2013\examples\week_9\deformer_tests_start.ma

Bend Deformer

Select swirl_1 and use

Create Deformers->Nonlinear->Bend

In the Channel Box under Inputs (see red arrow below) open bend1

Click on attribute name curvature and MMB slide left to right in the workspace to interactively change the value:

Both top and bottom curve away from the center. Crtl-Z back.

If we change the value of Low Bound from -1 to 0 and change the curvature, we find that the bend only affects the object from the middle to the top.

We can use the move tool to reposition the deformer at the bottom of the object (i.e. change the translate Y value of bend1Handle from 1.916 to translate Y = 0) and double the scale to reach the top (i.e. change the scale values from 1.949 to 3.5)

We can key the curvature value to animate the deformer.

Flare Deformer

Select swirl_2 and use:

Create Deformers->Nonlinear->Flare

Allows you for flare either or both of two ends of the object. Curvature makes the flare linear (0) or with a varying degree of curvature. The Low and High Bound controls the range of the object covers by the deformer.

Sine Deformer

Select swirl_3 and use:

Create Deformers->Nonlinear->Sine

Your basic sin wave. Amplitude is the height of the wave, Wavelength is the number of cycles per length of the deformer. The fun attribute is the Offset, the phase of wave. Set the amplitude to 1, Wavelength to 1.5 and use MMB to change the offset value:

Squash Deformer

Combines both squash and stretch in one deformer.

Select swirl_4 and use:

Create Deformers->Nonlinear->Squash

The default values do not work well with the offset stem. Instead change Low Bound to 0 and High Bound to 0.5, and change Translate Y to 2.9.

Change Factor from -1 to 4.

Twist Deformer

Allows you to adjust angle of rotation at each end of the deformer.

Select swirl_5 and use:

Create Deforms->Nonlinear->Twist

Wave Deformer

The Sine deformer creates a sine wave shape across the axis of the deformer. The Wave deformer creates a ripple wave across a planar area.

Select swirl_6 and use:

Create Deforms->Nonlinear->Wave

Change Amplitude to 0.2. Wavelength and Offset area similar to the Sine Deformer.

Animated deformers in Y:\Courses\2012-2014\AC5002_Conroy_AU2013\examples\week_9\deformer_tests_end.ma