Subject: re: deformations...
Date: Wed, 18 May 94 13:24:58 EDT
From: jgoldman@acs.bu.edu (Jeffrey Goldman)

> 
> Tom,
>   I downloded a demo of Caligari's TrueSpace V1.0 and have been tinkering
> for a few days now.  TrueSpace uses a free-form deformation grid (I think
> thats what its called).  You make a 3d grid around the object with as many
> row/columns as you like, and you can then pull points and/or slices of the
> grid around to distort the object inside (all this in real time...you see
> the wire mesh distorting).   Its much more flexable then just picking a way
> to distort from a set list.  I'm sure Imagine will be moving to this
> sometime (I just hope its in one of the next quarterly releases).

	I hope so... One of the reasons I can't use the Deform Tool on
already complicated objects (or just to do complex deformations in
general) is because of its lack of real-time feedback. I have no clue
what part of the grid is attached to what, or what part of the grid
affects what... It's easier to use the standard deformation tools
(which are extremely cool and well implemented, BTW) or magnetism
(NewMode Perspective editing helps magnetism alot) to affect an
object. I've just had no luck with the Deform Tool as is...
	I use the Forms Editor all the time for complex organic
objects. The only reason I can do this effectively is because of the
real-time feedback. But, there are somethings that just can't be done
with the Forms editor that must be done in the Detail. I usually
create a form in Forms and clean it up in Detail. Having a real-time
Deform Tool ala Caligari's would be terrific...

								J.---->

E-Mail: jgoldman@acs.bu.edu


                           -=> RETURN TO CONTENTS!<=-