8

Spline IK Control Modifier 821
Use the Spline IK Control modifier to prepare a
splineorNURBScurveforusewiththeSplineIK
Solver.
See also
Animating w ith the Spline IK Solver (page 2–455)
Inter face
Co ntrol Objects—When helpers are created, knot
numbers and their corresponding names appear
here. Knot #1 is placed at the
first vertex (p a ge
3–1035)
on the spline, and additional knots are
numbered in sequence.
Create H elper s—Places a helper at each k not, and
displays knot numbers and helper names in the
Cont rol Objects area. Helper display is based on
selections in the Helper Display group. Helpers are
linked upon creation if a linking option is selected
in the Link Types group.
Note: Click Create Helpers only once. Clicking this
option more than once will create extra helpers at
each knot, making it difficult to control the spline.
Link Types group
Theseoptionscausehelperstobelinkedupon
creation.
Link All in H ierarchy—Links each helper to its
immediately previous helper. For example, the
help er at knot #3 is linked to the helper at knot # 2,
while the helper at knot #2 is linked to the helper
at knot #1.
Link Al l to Root—Links each helper to the helper
at knot #1.
No Li nki ng—Helpers are not linked.
Helper Display
When Create Help ers is clicked, helper objects are
placed at each knot, making it easier to move and
animate the knots. More than one type of display
can be enabled.
Center Ma r k er —Displays a small X marker at each
knot.
Axis Tripod—Displays a tripod axis at e ach knot.
The axis remains visible when the helper is no
longer selected.
Cr o s s—Displays a cross at each k n ot.