Twist Deformer

From ShadeCamp

Twist Deformer Overview

The Twist Deformer plug-in is a Modify feature that performs Twist Deformation. This indirectly deforms a shape by manipulating a Rotator joint (the Axis of Twist).

Using Twist Deformer

1. Select a shape you want to Twist-Deform.

Since the plug-in does not support multiple selection, put multiple shapes/parts together into one part and deform the part. This plug-in does not support the Root Part.

The types of shape you can deform with the plug-in are line objects, curved surfaces, and polygon meshes. The plug-in does not support extruded or revolved objects.

Note: When a closed line shape is deformed with this plugin, all the points may no longer exist on the same plane. In this case, the closed line shape will not be properly rendered.

2. Choose the Twist Deformer option from the Modify tool in the Toolbox.

TIP: The Twist Deformer plug-in can also be invoked from the Modify submenu in the Tools menu or the Figure window contextual menu.

3. The Twist Deformer Settings dialog appears.

You can specify options for the deformation. Refer to the Reference section below for more information on the options.

4. When you click the OK button in the settings window, several shapes are automatically created, and the preparation for deformation is completed.

The vertical red line is the Axis of Twist for Twist deformation, the red crossed lines with an arrow are the Twist Amount Controller, and the white crossed lines with an arrow are the Fixed Guide.

TIP: To enable coloring of the Twist Amount Controller and Fixed Guide, you must select the On option from the Colored Wireframe pull-down menu in the Colors tab of the Preferences window. This window opens when you select the Preferences... option from the Edit menu (Win) or the Shade menu (Mac).

In the Browser, a number of parts or shapes are created. When the preparation for Twist deformation is finished, the parts are automatically displayed in the Browser in their collapsed view and the Twist Amount Controller (TwistDeformer...) is selected.

While the Twist Amount Controller is selected, the joint value slider in the Object Info window is active.

When you manipulate the joint value slider, the Twist Amount Controller in the Figure window is rotated.

5. When you adjust the joint value slider of the Twist Amount Controller, or change the value entered in the joint value text box, the Twist deformation process automatically starts.

The Twist deformation process is performed.

If the process takes much time, the Progress Bar window will be displayed.

If you click the Cancel button, before the process is finished, the shape will be partially twisted.

To deform the shape again, manipulate the joint value slider, or select the Twist Deformer option from the Modify tool in the Toolbox (or from the Modify submenu of the Tools menu or the contextual menu) again.

Twist Deformer Reference

Twist Deformer Settings Dialog

Axis of Twist Pull-down Menu

This pull-down menu sets the direction of the Axis of Twist to be created.

Twist Amount Controller Pull-down Menu

This pull-down menu determines to which side of the object the Axis of Twist Controller is added.

Color of Controller Pull-down Menu

This pull-down menu sets the color of the Controller. To enable coloring, you must select the On option from the Colored Wireframe pull-down menu in the Colors tab of the Preferences window.

Color of Fixed Guide Pull-down Menu

This pull-down menu sets the color of the Fixed Guide. To enable coloring, you must select the On option from the Colored Wireframe pull-down menu in the Colors tab of the Preferences window.

The Twist Deformer Part

All objects using Twist Deformer are placed in a part in the Browser.

Original shape part contains the original object.
Below the “#Original objects part” entry, the name of the object (part) selected prior to the deformation is displayed. This shape is deformed.
TwistDeformer is the Twist Amount Controller. The joint value of this Controller will be used for the deformation.

Note: Editing the hierarchy of the Twist Deformer part or editing the control points of the associated objects may make further Twist Deformer operations not possible.

Repeating the Twist Deformer Operation

The Twist can be repeated any number of times by moving the joint value slider until you achieve the shape you desire.

When you are finished twisting the shape, you may take the deformed shape out of the part related to the Twist, and delete the Twist Amount Controller.

Reverting to the Original Shape

To return to the original shape, expand the #Original objects part and take the original shape out of it, then delete the Twist-related part.

Animation Using the Twist Amount Controller

Since the Twist Amount Controller of the Twist Deformer is created from a rotator joint, you can animate the Twist Amount, just as with a normal rotator joint. When the Twist Amount Controller has a Motion setting, if the Sequence cursor is moved to change the Sequence value, the Twist deforming process is automatically started according to the joint value corresponding to the Sequence value. |