Create nCloth Force Field constraints

You can create a Force Field constraint to push nCloth components or objects away from the center of the constraint, in a radial field with spherical volume bounds. For example, you can push out nCloth that gets stuck within the elbow joint of a character by placing a Force Field constraint on the joint. Conversely, you can use it to suck in or contain nCloth within the bounds of the constraint.

To create a Force Field constraint

1. Select the nCloth or passive object you want to constrain.
2. Select nConstraint > Force Field > .
3. (Optional) In the Create Force Field Constraint Options Box window, turn on Use Sets to add the nCloth object to a dynamic constraint selection set.
4. Click Create Constraint or Apply.

   The Force Field locator appears inside the mesh of the selected object, and the dynamicConstraint node appears in the Attribute Editor.

   

   The preset properties on the dynamicConstraint node determine the constraint's type (in this case, a Force Field constraint) and how it behaves. For example, you can create a Force Field constraint with the following attribute settings:

   • Spring as the Constraint Method
   • All to First as the Component Relation
   • Component Order as the Connection Method

   See Dynamic Contraint attributes.

5. Adjust the location, size and rotation of the Force Field constraint using Maya’s Move, Scale, and Rotate tools.

   The location, size and rotation of the locator determines the size, shape and volume of the force field constraint.

6. (Optional) Adjust the Force, Strength and Strength Dropoff attributes on the dynamicConstraint node to determine the power of the force field. Positive values cause the force field to push out, while negative values cause the force field to suck in nCloth.