MAXON Computer Cinema 4D Tutorials: Fun with Spline Deformer

Tips & Techniques - Modeling

Modeling:
Fun with Spline Deformer

Works with:
R8 Requires:
Version 8+

Using the new Spline Deformer can be easy once you know how it works, but the settings in the Attributes Manager can seem very odd as this does function quite differently from all the Deformers you currently know.

Step 1: First thing you need is something to deform. Start off with a Plane (Objects=>Primitive=>Plane).

Step 2: Create a Spline Deformer (Objects=>Deformation=>Spline Deformer) and drag and drop it on the plane so that it will become a child of the plane. This is the same way that all deformers are used.

Step 3: The deformer needs two splines to deform. Create two splines and shape them however you want (Objects=>Create Spline). Rename the first one 'Initial' and the second one 'Modify'.

Step 4: Select the Spline Deformer in the Object Manager. In the Attributes Manager, drag Initial into the Original Spline box, and then drag Modify into the Modifying Spline box.

Step 5: Now you should see some sort of result. It should look pretty smooth, but you probably want to add some shape to it. In the Attributes Manager, you'll see a number of settings to play around with.

The B-Spline Approximation controls how accurate the deformation from the B-Spline is, but it only applies when you are using B-Splines for your deformation. The higher the setting is, the more accurate and less bumpy the mesh is.

The Radius setting changes the radial influence the spline has over the surface.

Use Length uses the full length of each spline and usually makes the results more extreme but sometimes less smooth.

Full Polygons stretches some of the polygons and creates more jagged and flatter surfaces but less distorted polygons.

The Shape graph controls the shape of the deformed polygons. If you click on the arrow on the left of the graph, you’ll see some more settings.

The X and Y settings give more control allowing you to be more accurate when shaping the deformed polygons, but you won't be able to change the settings until you add some points to the graph. Click twice on the graph and two points will appear on the MinX and MaxX sides of the graph. When selected, the points will appear orange. You can add more points by clicking on the graph or remove points by selecting the point you want removed and dragging it off the graph.

Tension controls the smoothness of the shape. The lower the tension is, the smoother the shape is.

If you click the arrow to the left of the graph, you'll see settings for X and Y coordinates that will allow you to be more accurate and Tension that works similarly to the weighting system for HyperNURBS. Lowering Tension smoothes out the shape.

This is a great tool for creating and manipulating landscapes.

-Special thanks to Kai Pedersen.