Is it possible to animate a deformer?

XoechZ

Hello!

Sometimes deformers are very handy to "morph" objects or figures. Especially with animation. But if I add a deformer on a prop at keyframe 1, then move it in at keyframe 12 and move it out again at keyframe 24, it does not work. The deformer always stays at its position when playing the animation. It seems that the deformer is not "seen" as an animated parameter (or whatever there is working in the background).

 

So, is there a special trick, or how can I get a deformer to work in an animation?

Linwelly

Did you safe the deformer and load to the prop you try to deform so that is a dial in parameters? Im not much of an animator so i hope someone else can help you better

XoechZ

No, I did not. I have just the prop and the deformer applied to it. How is that done to get a dial parameter for a deformer morph?

RGcincy

I just tried to animate a deformer on a primitive plane using Keymate and Timeline and both work fine. Not sure why you aren't able to do so.

XoechZ

RGcincy said:

I just tried to animate a deformer on a primitive plane using Keymate and Timeline and both work fine. Not sure why you aren't able to do so.

Ok, good to know. Then I have to try it again. Maybe I did something wrong. Thanks for testing.

grinch2901

You can convert the d-form into a morph. You apply the d-form and shape to your liking. Then you open the D-Form tab  and - with the mesh selected, not the d-form - select spawn morph. The morph is now in the mesh but the d-form is still there. Dial up the morph, delete the d-form and you're done.

XoechZ

grinch2901 said:

You can convert the d-form into a morph. You apply the d-form and shape to your liking. Then you open the D-Form tab  and - with the mesh selected, not the d-form - select spawn morph. The morph is now in the mesh but the d-form is still there. Dial up the morph, delete the d-form and you're done.

I will try that. Thank you very much!