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1130 Chapter 14: character studio
sub-object controls adjust the way link
movement affects the mesh.
• Bulge (page 2–1141)
Bulge controls are for creating flexing muscles.
• Tendons (page 2–1147)
Ten dons p r ov i d e a w ay for mult iple l i n k s t o
affect an area of the mesh.
• Vertex (page 2–1150)
For Physique, Vertex controls let you fine-tune
the influence of envelopes.
Physique Selection Status R ollout
This rollout appears for all of the Physique
sub-object levels. For all levels except Vertex, it
shows the name of the hierarchy object associated
withtheactivelink. FortheVertexsub-object
level, it prompts you to “Select Vertices” unless
Select By Link or Assign To Link is act ive, in which
case it displays the name of the hierarchy object
associatedwiththeactivelink,asitdoesatother
sub-object levels.
Envelope S ub-Obj ect
Select an objec t that has the Physique modifier applied
to it. > Modify panel > Bulge sub-object level
Use Envelope sub-objects to adjust the way skin
behaves. E ach lin k has an e nvelope, and the shape
of the envelope determines which vertices are
affected by the link’s movement. An envelope
hasaninnerandanouterbound:outsidethese
bounds, vert ices are not effected. Inside these
bounds, the envelope’s influence is strongest at the
inner bound. A Falloff setting lets you control how
quicklyinfluencefallsasitapproachestheouter
bound.
Envelopes also control blending: they provide
smooth deformation of the skin across joints.
Vertices that fall b etween overlapping envelopes
receive influence from each, thus creating a
smoothly blended transition. The outer bounds
of the envelopes of adjacent links should overlap
enough to provide a smo oth blend at the joints.
Youcanadjusttherelativestrengthofenvelopes,
givingonelink’senvelopemoreinfluencethan
another.
At the Envelope sub-object level, in addition to
the settings already mentioned, you can adjust
an envelope’s Radial Scale. This is useful for
makingsuretheenvelopeenclosesverticesalong
the lengt h of the link. The settings for Strength,
Falloff, Radial Scale, and Overlap are grouped
under Envelope Parameters (page 2–1133).
Envelopes have c ross sections. You can add cross
sections to refine the shape of an envelope, and you
can move or scale a cross section’s cont rol points
to change the cross section’s shape. (Cross sections
arealsousedtocreatebulges (page 2–1141).)
Tip: You can also use tools on the Main toolbar
to adjust envelopes. For example, you can use
N on-Uniform Scale on en velopes and cross
sections, or use Select And Move to move
envelopes, cross sections, or control points on
cross sections.
Wo rkflow
The goal is to mo dify the envelopes s o each vertex
in the mesh is encompassed by at least one link’s
envelope.
Usually the first adjustment is to assi gn a rigid
envelope to the character’s head . A rigid envelope
blends with other envelopes but retains the shape
of the mesh. The head should not deform with the
deformation spline.