Edit bend nonlinear deformers

You can edit the effects of the bend deformer by editing the bend handle node and the bend deformer node. You can move (translate), rotate, and scale the bend handle to edit the effects of the deformation. You can also edit the bend deformer node’s keyable attributes (channels), which are displayed in the Channel Box.

Tip: You can also paint weights to adjust the effect of the deformer. See Paint nonlinear deformer weights.

To manipulate bend deformer handles

  1. Select the bend deformer handle node (default name: bendnHandle).
  2. Turn on the Show Manipulator Tool (default shortcut: t key).
    Manipulators display on the bend deformer handle, letting you edit the bend node attributes interactively.
  3. Do any of the following to change the deformation effect:
    • In the scene, select a manipulator on the bend deformer handle and middle-drag to edit.

      The High Bound, Low Bound, and Curvature values update in the Channel Box as you drag.

    • Move (translate), rotate, or scale the handles.
    • Move or rotate the handle pivot point by pressing the Insert or Home key, move the pivot point, and then press Insert or Home again.

To edit bend constraint channels with the Channel Box

  1. Select the bend deformer node (default name: bendn).

    One quick way to select the bend deformer node is to select the object being deformed, and then select the bend deformer node in its history from the Channel Box (under INPUTS).

    Note that you can control which attributes are listed as keyable attributes (channels) in the Channel Box with the Channel Control editor (select Window > General Editors > Channel Control).

  2. Click the name of the channel you want to edit.
  3. In your scene, middle-drag left or right to interactively change the value of the selected channel. As you move the mouse, press Ctrl for finer control, and press Shift for more coarse control.

To edit bend deformer attributes

  1. Select the bend deformer node (default name: bendn).
  2. Open the Attribute Editor.
  3. Edit the bend deformer attributes.

To delete a bend deformer

  1. Select the bend deformer handle.
  2. Select Edit > Delete, or press the Backspace or Delete key.

    The bend deformer handle, bend deformer handle shape, and bend deformer nodes are all deleted. However, the object still has the tweak node as an input node, so any tweaks you might have made are preserved. Also, note that the various input nodes that structure the evaluation of the deformation are not deleted.

Related topics

Parent topic: Bend deformer