9.5.2

402 • CHAPTER 7
OBJECTS MENU • DEFORMERS • 403
Function
The function denes how loose or tight the bend at the joints should be. The bend function between
two bones in a hierarchy is determined by the function setting of the topmost bone in the hierarchy.
The function setting of the child bones has no effect.
The higher the power of 1/r, the greater the pull on the surrounding points, as shown in these
examples:
Function 1/r^2 Function 1/r^10
The bend becomes tighter in the joint region with increasing power for the radius setting. Lower
settings are more suited to tube-like objects such as snakes; higher settings are more suited to
anatomical joints such as elbows. The function must be dened in the bone at the top of the hierarchy
(topmost in the Object manager). This will dene the function for all the bones in the hierarchy,
regardless of the function value set in those bones.
Strength
This lets you specify the inuence that a bone exerts on a point in comparison to all other bones.
Scale Strength
If the length of a bone is animated, it can be useful to change its strength proportionately. If you
require this behavior, enable this option.
Limit Range, Minimum, Maximum
If Limit Range is disabled, the bone inuences all the object’s points. In order to prevent, say, the head
moving when you move the little toe, use Limit Range to restrict the inuence of bones. Minimum
denes the distances within which all points are transformed completely by the bone (1:1). Points
between the Minimum and Maximum distances are transformed softly, generating a smooth stretch.
If you set Minimum and Maximum to the same value, the points at the edge tear abruptly.