Skew Modifier

The Skew modifier lets you produce a uniform offset in an object's geometry. You can control the amount and direction of the skew on any of three axes. You can also limit the skew to a section of the geometry.

• Modify panel > Make a selection. > Modifier List > Object-Space Modifiers > Skew
• Standard menu: Make a selection. > Modifiers menu > Parametric Deformers > Skew
• Enhanced menu: Make a selection. > Modifiers menu > Geometry (Parametric) > Skew

Skew modifier applied

Effect of moving modifier center with limits set

Procedures

To skew an object:

1. Select an object, go to the Modify panel, and choose Skew from modifier list.
2. On the Parameters rollout, set the axis of the skew to X, Y, or Z. This is the axis of the Skew gizmo, not the axis of the selected object.

   You can change the axis at any time, but only one axis setting is carried with the modifier.

3. Set the amount of the skew. The amount is an offset in current units parallel with the axis.

   The object skews to this amount beginning at the lower limit, by default the location of the modifier's center.

4. Set the direction of the skew.

   The object swivels around the axis.

   You can reverse the amount and direction by changing a positive value to a negative value.

To limit the skew:

1. Turn on Limits group Limit Effect.
2. Set values for the upper and lower limits. These are distances in current units above and below the modifier's center, which is at zero on the gizmo's Z axis. The upper limit can be zero or positive, the lower limit zero or negative. If the limits are equal, the result is the same as turning off Limit Effect.

   The skew offset is applied between these limits. The surrounding geometry, while unaffected by the skew itself, is moved to keep the object intact.

3. At the sub-object level, you can select and move the modifier's center.

   The limit settings remain on either side of the center as you move it. This lets you relocate the skew area to another part of the object.

Interface

Modifier Stack

Gizmo

At this sub-object level, you can transform and animate the gizmo like any other object, altering the effect of the Skew modifier. Translating the gizmo translates its center an equal distance. Rotating and scaling the gizmo take place with respect to its center.

Center

At this sub-object level, you can translate and animate the center of the Skew effect.

For more information on the stack display, see Modifier Stack.

Parameters rollout

Skew group

Amount

Sets the angle to skew from the vertical plane.

Direction

Sets the direction of the skew relative to the horizontal plane.

Skew Axis group

X/Y/Z

Specify the axis that will be skewed. Note that this axis is local to the Skew gizmo and not related to the selected entity. Default=Z.

Limits group

Limit Effect

Applies limit constraints to the Skew modifier.

Upper Limit

Sets the upper limit boundaries in world units from the skew center point, beyond which the skew no longer affects the geometry. Default=0.

Lower Limit

Sets the lower limit boundaries in world units from the skew center point, beyond which the skew no longer affects the geometry. Default=0.