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I added a shrinkwrap modifier to a path to wrap it around three joined cylinders. How can I make the path follow closer the outer surface? (cf. screenshot) enter image description here

Thanks.

Wilbur
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1 Answers1

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What you can do is temporary extruding the path vertices (as it is a mesh if I see well), then apply the shrinkwrap modifier and delete the previously created vertices.

Make so just add surfaces so that the modifier can do a projection (mode 'project/on surface' and 'back'):

enter image description here

Projection wll be done along the normals, so I think here you need to extrude along Z. If not the path won't stay horizontal.

Edit (if that matters...): I previously misunderstood the question, thinking you wanted to tangent the path around the cylinders. This is not the case, but, eventually, this approach can interest someone:

Transform the cylinders into a convex hull:

enter image description here

lemon
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  • Thanks, the problem is that my path is generated from a vertex point to which I added and applied a screw modifier, so it's a helix going round the three cylinders. I tried your method with extrusion, but the projection option in the modifier does not give the result I want. I does actually nothing. – Wilbur Aug 08 '19 at 12:04
  • @Wilbur, helix should work too. Have you tried? Just care about extruding along Z. If that is not working, can you upload your blend file? – lemon Aug 08 '19 at 12:07
  • @Wilbur possibly also, depending on the orientation of the extrusion, switch the projection parameters in the modifier (front/back and negative/positive) – lemon Aug 08 '19 at 12:13
  • – Wilbur Aug 08 '19 at 12:17
  • I tried several parameters, but I does not work for me. – Wilbur Aug 08 '19 at 12:18
  • Uncheck Z (no axis checked), direction: negative, cull face: back. And of course the cylinders should be a bit more height. – lemon Aug 08 '19 at 12:19
  • That does it if I rescale the helix a bit, thank you very much. One more question: Is it possible to add a modifier to this helix path going round my three cylinders which regulates the amount it penetrates the convex space between the cylinders? – Wilbur Aug 08 '19 at 12:23