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XForm modifier

The XForm modifier enables you to apply transforms such as Move, Rotate, and Scale to objects and/or subobjects. This modifier is applied by means of a gizmo that can be transformed using the transform buttons on the main toolbar. The XForm modifier has no parameters.

The XForm modifier solves a tricky problem that occurs during modeling. The problem happens when you scale, link, and animate objects in the scene, only to notice that the objects distort as they move. The distortion is caused because the transforms are the last action in the stack to be performed. So, when the object was first scaled and modifiers were applied, if you used the XForm modifier to do the scale transformation in the stack before the modifiers were applied, then the object's children won't inherit the scale transformation.

Note

XForm is short for the word transform. •

FIGURE 11.25

The Taper modifier can be used to create a simple yo-yo.

Wave modifier

The Wave modifier produces a wavelike effect across the surface of the object. All the parameters of the Wave Parameter are identical to the Ripple modifier parameters. The difference is that the waves produced by the Wave modifier are parallel, and they propagate in a straight line. Figure 11.26 shows the Wave modifier applied to a simple Quad Patch with values of 5 for Amplitude 1 and a Wave Length value of 50. The right Quad Patch also has an Amplitude 2 value of 20.

FIGURE 11.26

The Wave modifier produces parallel waves across the surface of an object.

Tutorial: Waving a flag

The Wave modifier can add a gentle wave to an object such as a flag. If you animate the Phase value, you can show a flag unfurling in the breeze.

Cross-Reference

For a more realistic-looking flag, you can apply a Cloth modifier. See Chapter 29, “Adding and Styling Hair and Fur, and Using Cloth,” for more information on the Cloth modifier. •

To animate a flag waving with the Wave modifier, follow these steps:

1. Open the Waving US flag.max file from the Chap 11 directory on the CD.

This file includes a simple flag and flagpole made from primitive objects.

2. With the flag selected, select the Modifiers⇒Parametric Deformers⇒Wave menu command to apply the Wave modifier to the flag.

3. Notice how the waves run from the top of the flag to the bottom. You can change this by rotating the gizmo. Click the plus sign to the left of the Wave modifier in the Modifier Stack and select the Gizmo subobject. With the Select and Rotate tool (E), rotate the gizmo 90 degrees and then scale the gizmo with the Select and Scale tool (R) so it covers the flag object. Click the Gizmo subobject again to deselect gizmo subobject mode.

4. Set Amplitude 1 to 25, Amplitude 2 to 0, and the Wave Length to 50. Then click the Auto Key button (N), drag the Time Slider to frame 100, and set the Phase value to 4. Click the Auto Key button (N) again to exit key mode.

Figure 11.27 shows the waving flag.

FIGURE 11.27

The Wave modifier can gently wave a flag.

Free Form Deformer modifiers

The Free Form Deformers category of modifiers causes a lattice to appear around an object. This lattice is bound to the object, and you can alter the object's surface by moving the lattice control points. Modifiers include FFD (Free Form Deformation) and FFD (Box/Cyl).

FFD (Free Form Deformation) modifier

The Free Form Deformation modifiers create a lattice of control points around the object. The object's surface can deform the object when you move the control points. The object is deformed only if it is within the volume of the FFD lattice. The three different resolutions of FFDs are 2 × 2, 3 × 3, and 4 × 4.

You can also select to display the lattice or the source volume, or both. If the Lattice option is disabled, only the control points are visible. The Source Volume option shows the original lattice before any vertices were moved.

The two deform options are Only In Volume and All Vertices. The Only In Volume option limits the vertices that