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1. Open the Pond ripple.max file from the Chap 42 directory on the CD.

This file includes a background image of a bridge matched to a patch grid where the pond is located with a reflective material assigned to it.

Tip

If you're having trouble locating the patch grid, press F3 to switch to Wireframe mode. •

2. Select the Create⇒Space Warps⇒Geometric/Deformable⇒Ripple menu command. Drag in the Perspective view to create a Space Warp object. In the Parameters rollout, set the Amplitudes to 2 and the Wave Length to 30.

3. Click the Bind to Space Warp button, and drag from the patch object to the Space Warp.

Figure 42.14 shows the resulting image.

FIGURE 42.14

A ripple in a pond produced using the Ripple Space Warp

Conform

The Conform Space Warp pushes all object vertices until they hit another target object called the Wrap To Object, or until they've moved a preset amount. The Conform Parameters rollout includes a Pick Object button that lets you pick the Wrap To Object. The object vertices move no farther than this Wrap To Object.

You can also specify a Default Projection Distance and a Standoff Distance. The Default Projection Distance is the maximum distance that the vertices move if they don't intersect with the Wrap To Object. The Standoff Distance is the separation amount maintained between the Wrap To Object and the moved vertices. Another option, Use Selected Vertices, moves only a subobject selection.

Cross-Reference

The Conform Space Warp is similar in function to the Conform compound object that is covered in Chapter 27, “Working with Compound Objects.” •

Figure 42.15 shows some text being deformed with the Conform Space Warp. A warped quad patch has been selected as the Wrap To object.

FIGURE 42.15

The Conform Space Warp wraps the surface of one object around another object.

Bomb

The Bomb Space Warp causes an object to explode from its individual faces. The Strength value is the power of the bomb and determines how far objects travel when exploded. The Spin value is the rate at which the individual pieces rotate. The Falloff value defines the boundaries of faces affected by the bomb. Object faces beyond this distance remain unaffected. You must select Falloff On for the Falloff value to work.

The Min and Max Fragment Size values set the minimum and maximum number of faces caused by the explosion.

The Gravity value determines the strength of gravity and can be positive or negative. Gravity always points toward the world's Z-axis. The Chaos value can range between 0 and 10 to add variety to the explosion. The Detonation value is the number of the frame where the explosion should take place, and the Seed value alters the randomness of the event. Figure 42.16 shows a frame of an explosion produced by the Bomb Space Warp.

FIGURE 42.16

The Bomb Space Warp causes an object to explode.

Note

The Bomb Space Warp is seen over time. At frame 0, the object shows no effect. •

Tutorial: Blowing a dandelion puff

You can use Space Warps with other types of objects besides particle systems. The Scatter object, for example, can quickly create many unique objects that can be controlled by a Space Warp. In this tutorial, you create a simple dandelion puff that can blow away in the wind.

To create and blow away a dandelion puff, follow these steps:

1. Open the Dandelion puff.max file from the Chap 42 directory on the CD.

This file includes a sphere covered with a Scatter compound object representing the seeds of a dandelion.

2. Select the Create⇒Space Warps⇒Geometric/Deformable⇒Bomb menu command. Click in the Front viewport, and position the Bomb icon to the left and slightly below the dandelion object. In the Bomb Parameters rollout, set the Strength to 10, the Spin to 0.5, the Min and Max Fragment Size values to 24, the Gravity to 0.2, and the Chaos to 2.0.

This is the total number of faces included in the dandelion object.

3. Click the Bind to Space Warp button on the main toolbar, and drag from the dandelion object to the Space Warp. Then press