Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
CVs or vertices to distort or bend an object manually, you can use a deformer to affect
the entire object. Popular deformers, such as Bend and Flare, can be powerful tools for
adjusting your models quickly and evenly, as you're about to see.
Nonlinear deformers, such as Bend and Flare, create simple shape adjustments for the
attached geometry, such as bending the object. You can also use deformers in animation
to create effects or deformations in your objects. We'll explore this later in the topic.
Modeling Using the Bend Deformer
Let's apply a deformer. In a new Maya scene, you'll create a polygonal cylinder and bend
it to get a quick idea of how deformers work. Follow these steps:
1. Choose Create
➔
Polygon Primitives,
and turn on Interactive Creation.
Then, choose Create
➔
Polygon Primi-
tives
➔
Cylinder. Click and drag to
create the base. Make it a few units in
diameter; the exact sizing isn't impor-
tant here. Click and drag to make the
height of the cylinder 7 or 8 units, as
shown in Figure 5.50. Make sure your
create options are set to the defaults
so that they're consistent with these
directions.
Figure 5.50
Create a cylinder
to bend.
To make sure the settings are at their defaults, open the command's Options box and click
the Reset Settings button.
Figure 5.51
Creating the Bend
deformer
2. Let's jump right in and create the Bend
deformer. With the cylinder selected,
switch to the Animation menu set
by pressing F2 and choosing Create
Deformers
➔
Nonlinear
➔
Bend. Your
cylinder turns magenta, and a thin line
appears at the center of the cylinder,
running lengthwise. Figure 5.51 shows
the deformer and its Channel Box attri-
butes. Depending on your settings, your
deformer may be created in a different
axis than the one pictured. You can reset
