Deformer priority issue?

#1

I’d appreciate any advice on this:

I’m using the spline deformer on an object. The basic set up is working fine: I have an ‘original spline’ and a ‘modifying spline’ and the spline deformer set up underneath my object.

The issue is: I want to further animate the ‘modifying spline’ with an FFD.

I’m failing to find any object manager hierachy set up in which the spline deformer will read the ‘FFD distorted modifying spline’ - the FFD is ignored.

Can anyone suggst a suitable set up / work around?

#2

I don’t think that would be a priority issue, it will be more that once the FFD deforms the spline, Cinema 4D no longer acknowledges the FFD altered version as the finished spline.

I can’t test the following for you at the moment, but a few thoughts:

  1. Add a Spline Mask to the top of the spline/FFD. That may force it to see the group as a spline again

  2. Add a Tracer object and add the spline/FFD (without Spline Mask) as the Trace Link or test using the Spline Mask added as above as the Trace Link. This Tracer setup may require a frame refresh, so keep that in mind as you test this. This would automatically occur with animation of the FFD anyway.

Alternative suggestion:
As you haven’t uploaded a test file or screenshot I’m not exactly sure what you’ve set up, but an alternative might be to use Loft instead with two splines and animate the second spline with an FFD. I have used this and know it works.

#3

I have some hazy memory that the Spline deformer doesn’t like procedurally created or manipulated Splines e.g. splines created by the the Tracer or with deformers.

I don’t think it’s the FFD it’s any deformer.

I could be wrong and have no way of testing it myself. It just rings a bell of something I’ve come up against before.

You could try making of copy of the Maniplating spline, add your FFD to it then use Xpresso to update the spline points on the real Modifying spline.

I have a gut feeling this will be a waste of time and will fail for similar reasons to the above. and you should look at another way of tackling the problem.

Can the Spline deformer + FFD not be replaced by Fields?

#4

Guys - thanks for your suggestions. Yes. It turns out to be an issue with any deformer on this situation. I’ll look at your suggestions and other approaches. I appreciate the info and advice.