9

Twist Modifier 877
Note:
When you apply the Twist modifier, the Twist
gizmo’scenterisplacedattheobject’spivotpoint,
and the gizmo lines up with the object’s local axis.
Left: Original model
Middle: A moderate twist
Right: An extreme t wist
Pr ocedur es
To twist an object:
1.
Select an object and apply Twist.
2. On the Parameters rollout, set Twist Axis to
X, Y, or Z. This refers to the axis of the Twist
gizmo, not the axis of the selected object.
You can switch between axes at any time,
but only one axis setting is car ried with the
modifier.
3. Set the angle of the twist. Positive values
produceaclockwisetwist,negativevalues
acounterclockwisetwist. Anangleof360
produces a complete revolution.
Theobjecttwiststothisamountbeginningat
the lower limit (by default, the location of the
modifier’s center).
4. Set the bias of the twist.
A posit ive value compresses the twist at the
end away from the pivot point, a negative value
toward the pivot point.
To limit the twist:
1.
Turn on Limits group > Limit Effect.
2. Set values for the upper and lower limits. These
are distances in current units above and below
the modifier’s center, which is at zero on the
gizmo’s Z axis. The upper limit can be zero or
positive, the lower limit zero or negative. If the
limits are equal, the result is the same as turning
off Limit Effect.
The twist offset is applied between these limits.
The surrounding geometry, while unaffected
by the twist itself, is moved to keep t he object
intact.
3. At the sub-object level, you can select and move
the modifier’s center.
The limit settings remain on either s ide of the
center as you move it. This lets you relocate the
tw ist area to another p art of the object.
Interfa ce
Modifier Stack
Gizmo—You can transform and animate the
gizmo like any other object at this sub-object
level, altering the effect of the Twist modifier.
Translating the gizmo translates its center an equal
distance. Rotating and scaling the gizmo takes
place with respect to its center.
Center—You can translate and animate the center
at this sub-object level, altering the Twist gizmo’s
shape, and thus the shape of the twisted object.
For more information on the stack display, see
Modifier Stack (page 3–760).