Create sculpt deformers

Limitations

• Geometry types other than implicit spheres and NURBS objects are not currently supported. To use another type of surface, convert it to a NURBS surface.
• Performance can degrade as the number of vertices in the sculpt tool and/or the object being deformed increase.
• For best results use closed, convex objects as sculpting tools.

Advanced

• You can have multiple sculpt deformers deforming the same object.
• You can use the connection editor or the MEL connectAttr command to manually connect a different object as the sculpt tool.
• There is GPU support for the sculpt deformer when implicit spheres are used. You can still use the sculpt deformer with NURBS objects, but the deformations are sent to the CPU.

To create a sculpt deformer

1. Select one or more deformable objects.
2. Do either of the following:
   • Select Deform > (Create) Sculpt > to set Sculpt Deformer Options and then create a deformer.

     Click the Basic and Advanced tabs in the Sculpt Options and set the creation options.

     See Advanced deformer options.

   • Select Deform > (Create) Sculpt to immediately create a deformer with the current creation options.

     If you’re not sure what the current creation options are, checking them before you create a deformer can save you some time adjusting the deformer’s attributes afterwards.

3. (Optional) If you open the creation options, you can also do the following:
   • Select Edit > Save Settings to save the creation options without creating a sculpt deformer and keep the options window open.
   • Select Edit > Reset Settings to reset the options to their default and keep the options window open.
   • Click Create to create a sculpt deformer. The options window closes.
   • Click Apply to create a sculpt deformer and keep the options window open.
   • Click Close to close the window.

Attention: Avoid changing the number of a deformable object’s points (for example, CVs, vertices, or lattice points) after you create a deformer. Changing the number of points can lead to unexpected deformation effects. Try to be sure you are happy with the deformable object’s topology before you begin using deformers. Save a copy of the object in case you want to do further modeling later on.

To use a NURBS or polygon object as the sculpt tool for your sculpt deformer

1. Select the object to deform, and then the NURBS surface or polygon mesh to use as the sculpting tool.
2. Select Deform > (Create) Sculpt > .

   The Sculpt Options window appears.

3. Turn on the Use secondary NURBS or Polygon Object Sculpt tool option.
   Important: If you use a non-convex closed object as your secondary NURBS or Polygon Sculpt object, undesirable results may occur.
4. Click Create.