Wrap Deformers

Wrap deformers use an object to deform other objects so that part of one surface sticks to the other surface. You'll often use Wrap deformers in character rigging. Using a low-res poly cage bound to a skeleton, you can deform a high-res NURBS patch model. However, that takes a lot of memory and can be difficult to work with. Instead, many animators prefer to use the low-res poly cage of a Smooth Proxy Polygon model or the level-0 of a Subdiv model to deform the higher detail of the other levels.

To create a Wrap deformer:

1.	Select two objects. The first object selected (the plane) will be deformed by the second (the cross) (Figure 13.43). Figure 13.43. The first object selected will be Wrap deformed to the second object.
2.	Select Deform > Create Wrap. A wrap1 node is added to the Channel Box in the Inputs section of the first object you selected (Figure 13.44). Figure 13.44. A wrap node is added under Inputs section of the Channel Box.
3.	Select the first object and press to activate the Move tool, then click and drag the object up (Figure 13.45). Figure 13.45. Moving the influence object moves the second object as well. Both objects move because the Max Distance of the first object (otherwise known as the influence object) is set at 0 by default. This value gives the influence object (the cross) infinite control over the other object (the plane).
4.	With the influence object selected, click wrap1 in the Outputs section of the Channel Box (Figure 13.46). Figure 13.46. When the Max Distance value is set to 0, it gives the influence object infinite control over a surface.
5.	Set the Max Distance to 1. Now the object being deformed will return to it's original position with the areas that were nearest the influence object sticking to it (Figure 13.47). Figure 13.47. A Max Distance value of 1 causes part of the first object to stick to the influence object.