Create a bend deformer

When creating bend deformers, you can first set creation options and then create a deformer, or you can 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.

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 set the object’s topology before you begin using deformers, and save a copy of the object in case you want to do further modeling later.

To create a bend deformer

1. Select the object(s) you want to deform.
2. Select Deform > (Create) Nonlinear > Bend > in the Animation menu set.

   The Bend Options window appears.

3. Click the Basic and Advanced tabs and set the creation options.

   See Bend Options and Advanced deformer options.

4. Click Create to create a bend deformer and close the options window.

   (Click Apply to create a bend deformer and keep the options window open.)

   A bend deformer handle displays in the scene and its nodes are listed in the Channel Box. The nodes include the bend handle node (default name: bendnHandle), the bend handle shape node (bendnHandleShape), and the bend deformer node (default name: bendn).

To create bend deformation effects

1. Manipulate the bend deformer handle.
2. Edit bend deformer channels and attributes (see Edit bend nonlinear deformers) or paint nonlinear deformer weights to adjust the deformation effect.

Tip: If you want to create a falloff (or ramp effect) for this deformer, so that the results of the deformation decrease or drop off after a specified distance, use Component Tags. See Create deformer falloffs.

Related topics

• Paint nonlinear deformer weights