Go to: Synopsis. Return value. Flags. MEL examples.
flow [-divisions uint uint uint] [-localCompute boolean] [-localDivisions uint uint uint]
[-objectCentered boolean]
objects
flow is undoable, queryable, and editable.
The flow command creates a deformation lattice to `bend' the object
that is animated along a curve of a motion path animation. The
motion path animation has to have the follow option set to be on.
| string[] |
The names of the created flow node and associated lattice
nodes. |
In query mode, return type is based on queried flag.
divisions, localCompute, localDivisions, objectCentered
| Long name (short name) |
Argument types |
Properties |
-divisions(-dv) |
uint uint uint |
 |
|
This flag specifies the number of lattice slices in
x,y,z.
The default values are 2 5 2.
When queried, it returns the TuInt32 TuInt32 TuInt32 |
|
-localCompute(-lc) |
boolean |
|
|
This flag specifies whether or not to have local control over
the object deformation.
Default value: is on when the lattice is around the curve, and is
off when the lattice is around the object.
When queried, it returns a boolean |
|
-localDivisions(-ld) |
uint uint uint |
|
|
This flag specifies the extent of the region of effect.
Default values are 2 2 2.
When queried, it returns the TuInt32 TuInt32 TuInt32 |
|
-objectCentered(-oc) |
boolean |
|
|
This flag specifies whether to create the lattice around the
selected object at its center, or to create the lattice around the
curve.
Default value is true.
When queried, it returns a boolean |
|
 Flag can appear in Create mode of
command |
 Flag can appear in Edit mode of command |
| Flag can appear in Query mode of command |
 Flag can be used more than once in a
command. |
// Create a simple motion path animation
// create a path, e,g, a curve
string $path = `curve -d 3 -p -10 0 0 -p -6 0 10 -p -3 0 -10 -p 10 0 0 -k 0 -k 0 -k 0 -k 1 -k 1 -k 1`;
// create an object, e.g. a sphere
string $object[] = `sphere -ch off -axis 0 1 0`;
scale 0.5 2.0 0.2;
// animate the object using a motion path with follow on for 30 frames
pathAnimation -f 1 -stu 0 -etu 30 -c $path $object[0];
// select only the animated object
select -r $object[0];
// Create flow deformation on the selected object with default values:
flow;
// Create flow deformation on the selected object with
// the lattice around the path, and lattice division of 3,20,2:
flow -oc off -dv 3 20 2;
// Create flow deformation on the selected object with
// lattice subdivisions 4, 7, and 3:
flow -dv 4 7 3;
// When the object is not currently selected, the name of the object
// has to be specified in the command line (note: $object[0] has to
// have a motion path animation):
flow -dv 4 7 3 $object[0];