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534 Chapter 8: Modifiers
Looking at the axis tripo d for the extruded text
object, you can see that its Z axis runs from
back to front relative to world space.
5. Apply a PathDeform (page 1–748) object-space
modifier to the text object. Click the Pick Path
button, and then select the circle.
A circular gizmo appears. The circle runs
through the local Z axis of the text object.
Because of its orientation, its effect is minimal,
but you can see a slig ht wedge-shaped
deformation from the top view.
6. InthePathDeformAxisgroup,choosetheY
option, and then the X option.
The circle gizmo rotates to run through the
specified axes, deforming the text object
differentlywitheachchange.
7. Adjust the Percent spinner to view its effect, and
thensetittozero. TrythesamewithStretch,
Rotation, and Twist, and then restore them to
their original values.
Tip: Use the CTRL key with T wist to amplify
the effect.
8. Turn on Flip to switch the direction of the path,
and then turn it off.
9. Go to the Gizmo sub-object level, and move
the gizmo path around.
The text object is f urther deformed by its
relative position to the gizmo.
10. Selecttheoriginalcircleshape,andchangeits
radius.
The deformation of the text object alters
because its gizmo is an instance of the shape
object.
Example: To use the PathDeform world space
modif ier :
This procedure continues from the previous one.
1. Select the text object, and then remove the Path
Deform modifier f rom the stack.
2. Apply a Path Deform (WSM) modifier .
3. Click Pick Path, and select the circle.
Thetextobjectflipsaroundandmovesin
world space. Note that its orientation and
deformation are difficult to analyze because
there’s an offset distance b e tween the path and
the object.
4. Click Move to Pat h.
Thetextobjectistransformedsothatitslocal
Z axis is aligned w ith the path and its position
isatthefirstvertexofthepath.
In the following steps, you’ll use various
controls to re-orient the text object so that it’s
atthefrontofthecircleandreadablefromthe
Fron t viewport.
5. Choose the X option in the Path Deform Axis
group to place the length of the text object
along the path.
6. Adjust the Percent spinner to -25 to move the
text to the front of the circle.
7. Adjust the Rotation spinner to -90 to rotate the
text so it faces the Front viewport.
8. Tu rn on Auto Key, go to frame 100,
and set Percent to -125.
9. Play the animation to watch the text run around
the circle.