About the Deformation Order


The deformation order of a Maya object determines the order in which various operations are applied to that object. For example, if an object has a twist deformer applied and then a bend deformer, the effect is different than if the twist is applied after the bend (Figure 13.59).

Figure 13.59. Both objects began as elongated cubes, but one was twisted and then bent (left), and the other was bent and then twisted (right).


By default, each new deformation is added to the end of the deformation order; but in some cases, you may realize afterward that you want a particular deformation to take effect earlier (Figure 13.60). You can either use the deformer's Options window to choose where to place it in the deformation order when you create it, or use the following method to change the deformation order of any deformers at any time.

Figure 13.60. This candy cane needs to have a twist applied before the bend, not after (right).


To change the deformation order:

1.

Right-click over the object whose deformation order you want to change.

2.

From the marking menu, select Inputs > All Inputs (Figure 13.61).

Figure 13.61. Maya's marking menus provide access to context-sensitive functionality.


The list of input operations appears. The lower in this list an operation appears, the earlier it's applied.

3.

Using your middle mouse button, click and drag from the input you want to move to the input you want it to precede.

The object changes to reflect the new deformation order (Figure 13.62).

Figure 13.62. The twist is now applied before the bend, but because its deformer handle is positioned to fit the bent model, it isn't quite right.


Tips

  • Because deformer handles are placed based on an object's deformed position, you may need to adjust them to create the desired effect (Figure 13.63).

    Figure 13.63. By unbending the candy cane, you can see that the twist deformer handle doesn't extend far enough. With a few adjustments, the twist can be extended around the bend (right).


To create a deformer that is placed first in the deformation order:

1.

When creating the deformer, select the box next to the deformer's name in the Deform menu.

2.

In the Deformer Options window, choose the Advanced tab.

3.

Select Before from the Deformation Order drop-down options (Figure 13.64).

Figure 13.64. In the Advanced tab of a new deformation's Deformer Options window, you can change where in the Deformation Order the deformation is added.


4.

The newly created deformer is applied before any existing deformers on the object.

Tips

  • If you delete an object's history, you won't be able to change its deformation order or create deformations that are applied before existing deformations.





Maya 7 for Windows and Macintosh(c) Visual Quickstart Guide
Maya 7 for Windows & Macintosh
ISBN: 0321348990
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2006
Pages: 185

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