Cineversity

I have looked all around for a tutorial for help on this project I am experimenting on.
I have a curved partial tube shape that I would like to be able to control the taper of from its top surface. I would also like to maintain the non-destructiveness of allowing me to continue to control the height of the object. There is 3D text that sits on the top of the curved partial tube. I used a small bit of Xpresso to keep this relationship pretty well but the tapering that I want to do is throwing me off.
I am including a project file that has three curved tubes to show my point. The first is my end result. The second shows what I would like to do with the tapering. The last is just demonstrating that this can grow upwards.
I tried the mesh deformer and did build a cage, but the control of the points was not very smooth since I was doing it point by point and if the tube shape grows in height beyond the bounds of the cage then I have other problems. I would like to control this with an effector somehow but I feel I’m just pounding sand.
If anyone can help, it is much appreciated.

Hi Edgepark,

I have attached two sketches here. The FFD as well the Cage Deformer can use Point selection, to store previous selected points. So the handling is not that complicated.

The other example uses a Shader Effector as Deformer and a Gradient to get this animation done. Have a look in to the file.

The second file contains my favorite, as it is perhaps simpler than the ones before.

The idea was to use the Falloff to limit the influence and to use the Gradient to adjust the effect. You can animate the gradient with the red or green Null, or move both with “their” parent. Of course the Gradient by itself can be animated or adjusted to your liking.

All the best

Sassi

Thanks again Dr. Sassi. It seems like I over think things and get myself in trouble. I really appreciate your help.

You’re welcome, Edgepark!

Let me know if there is anything else.

Speaking of “complex”, I have attached a simple, but somehow complex set up for this: Spline Rail combined with a PoseMorph. Just to give more options. ;o)

Have a great day.

P.S.:  Just for the fun of it, here is another option, it has some nice options—I sketched two of them.