How do I prevent object distortion when applying a curve modifier?

Question

This is the profile of the object I'd like to wrap...

Object to wrap.

Here is the object's profile after being wrapped...

Object profile after wrapped to curve.

Is it possible to prevent the distortion? The following post here: http://blenderartists.org/forum/showthread.php?293735-Dublicating-an-object-along-a-curve-without-distortion-Array-or-DubliFrames did not affect my object. It seemed very promising, maybe I'm missing something?

Note: I have applied the scale to both my object and curve.

Related: http://blender.stackexchange.com/questions/510/how-can-i-duplicate-a-mesh-along-a-curve?lq=1 — gandalf3, Jun 23 '15 at 11:35
I guess the only way is to add armature- then parenting objects with them. And - finally adding Ik solver and spline IK to armature so it will slide along curve. — qnaman, Mar 07 '17 at 20:32

score 32 · Answer 1 · edited Jun 10 '20 at 12:57

32

You can use a proxy mesh as the curve object, then use Dupli faces to place an object at each face. This has the added advantage of using instances, which are more memory efficient than the array modifier.

Add a plane and set it up with the curve and array modifiers:
Parent the actual object to the plane (CtrlP).
With the plane selected, enable Faces in Properties > Object > Duplication > Faces.

edited Jun 10 '20 at 12:57

Community

1

answered Apr 02 '14 at 08:05

gandalf3

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What do you mean by 'the actual object'? – jik bik Nov 25 '15 at 15:40
@jikbik The object you intend to duplicate – gandalf3 Nov 25 '15 at 21:38
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In 2.8 the step 3 is under Object > Instancing > Faces, then you'd also like to uncheck both "Display / Render Instancer" checkboxes. – Parziphal Sep 09 '19 at 19:09
Is there a way to stop the blocks from intersecting? – crxyz Jun 10 '20 at 13:31

score 12 · Answer 2 · answered Dec 31 '13 at 12:12

The Curve modifier will always distort the object according the curve's curvature.

If you want the object to follow the curve (using the curve as a path to move the object along it), you can add a bone, parent the object to this bone and add the Follow Path bone constraint:

Go to Add menu (Shift A) > Armature > Single Bone
Place it at your object's center position
Ctrl Tab to Pose Mode
Select your object, then Shift select the bone (in this order)
Parent the object to the bone: hit Ctrl P and choose Bone
Select the bone, and go to Bone constraints tab in the properties panel
Add a Follow Path constraint (right-hand list, titled "relationship")
Choose your Curve object in the Target input
Check the Fixed position box, and use the offset slider to move the object along the curve:

enter image description here

How do I repeat along the curve? I tried adding an array modifier to the object -- makes sense to someone as educated as me, but probably doesn't make sense to a blender pro. — chrisp, Dec 31 '13 at 22:02

Leon Cheung · Answer 3 · 2015-09-16T14:02:20.197

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Here is a solution supposed the arrayed objects are relatively simple and regular:

enter image description here

Demo file is here.

I have to admit that such solution is very limited, but if it's enough to serve your particular case, then try it. :)

edited Sep 16 '15 at 14:02

answered Jan 04 '14 at 04:36

Leon Cheung

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Fast and easy solution - the Solidify and Bevel modifiers are superfluous. – squarespiral Oct 07 '17 at 18:58

score 0 · Answer 4 · answered Jan 03 '14 at 16:38

Judging from your comment on Polosson's answer, you may want to convert the curve to a mesh (AltC, then Mesh from Curve/Text), set it as the parent to the object you want along the curve (select the object, then the curve, then CtrlP), and then enable duplication (in the object panel for the curve, in duplication, activate "Verts").

Play with the curve's resolution before converting it (in the Curve panel) to tweak the density.

How do I prevent object distortion when applying a curve modifier?

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