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Home: Autodesk Maya Online Help
Edit Curves > Modify Curves
Edit Curves > Modify Curves
Edit Curves > Modify Curves > Unlock Length
Edit Curves > Modify Curves > Lock
Length
When you select
Edit Curves > Modify Curves > Lock Length,
the selected curve (or selected CVs) will maintain a constant hull
length. If you then modify the curve, for example, by moving a CV,
the shape of the curve will adjust so that it maintains a constant
hull length (that is, CVs other than the one you move will also
move).
When you select
Edit Curves > Modify Curves > Lock Length,
a Lock Length attribute is added
to the curveShape node.
Notes
- You
can use the l (lower-case L) key as a momentary hotkey. Press and
hold down the l key to lock the length of the selected curve. Release
the l key to unlock the length of the curve.
- Lock
Length is useful for modeling purposes. Because modifying
a curve with Lock Length turned on behaves
similar to a dynamic simulation, animating a curve in this way (with
keyframes) may produce unexpected results.
- If
you turn on Lock Length, move a CV and
then select Undo, only the CV you moved
will return to its original position.
- If
you turn on Lock Length and modify the
curve, the curve’s first CV will not move (unless you explicitly
move the first CV). For example, if you move the curve’s first CV,
the curve will respond differently than if you move the curve’s
last CV.