Flow

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Deformation Tools Transform	Transform Flow along Curve

Toolbar

Flow along Curve

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The Flow command re-aligns an object or group of objects from a base curve to a target curve.

Use the Flow command to map a flat, straight shape to a curved shape, since it can be easier to draw things when they are lined up than to draw a complex shape around a curve.

Steps

Select objects.
Select the base curve near one end.
Select the target curve near the matching end.

Command-line options

Copy

Specifies whether or not the objects are copied. A plus sign appears at the cursor when copy mode is on. The RememberCopyOptions command determines whether the selected option is used as the default.

Rigid

Decides if objects are only relocated, but not deformed, along the target curve.

Yes

No

RigidGroups

Decides using groups or individual objects to rigid. Only available when Rigid=Yes.

Flower groups as the input objects.

Yes

Rigids with groups.

No

Rigids with individual objects. Groups are ignored.

Line

Draw a line to be used as the base curve.

Local

Specify circles to define a "tube" of influence around the input curve. Everything inside the tube flows. Everything outside the tube is fixed. Inside the tube wall the flow dies off.

Stretch

Decides to stretch or compress objects in the curve direction so that the relationship to the target curve is the same as it is to the base curve.

Yes

No

PreserveStructure

Specifies whether the control-point structure of a curve or surface will be maintained after the deformation.

The PreserveStructure option does not apply to polysurfaces, and will not be displayed if polysurfaces are selected for editing.

Yes

No

Roadlike

Use if the target object is twisted while being created.

An axis is used for calculating the 3-D rotation for the cross-section, and a widget lets you show the normal direction of the beginning and ending frames.

Roadlike axis base point for target curve

Pick a point for the beginning of the normal direction for the cross-section plane.

Roadlike axis direction for target curve

Rotate the frame widget to show the direction of the frame and pick a second point to show the end point for the normal direction and rotation of the cross section plane.

Automatic

The construction plane z-axis is used for the axis base point and rotation.