2009

FFD Soft Bodies
reactor provides two different types of soft body: mesh-based soft bodies,
where the underlying mesh is directly deformed, and Freeform Deformation
(FFD) bodies. With an FFD body, reactor encases the original shape in a simpler
FFD lattice. Then the simulation uses the lattice, rather than the object itself,
as the soft body's shape. As the lattice deforms, it updates the original shape
so that it, too, appears to deform.
FFD bodies are less accurately modeled than mesh-based soft bodies, but also
less computationally expensive to simulate. Because of this, it's generally
advisable to use an FFD-based soft body when deforming a complex mesh. As
a general rule of thumb, if a mesh has more than 200 triangles, it's probably
a good idea to use an FFD-based soft body.
NOTE When you view an FFD soft body in the Preview Window, you will see the
FFD rather than the underlying shape. This should still give you some idea as to
how the body will behave in your final animation.
Soft Bodies | 4043