Curve Node

The Curve node is one of the main nodes for building a deformation rig. You can chaining Curve nodes to create a Bezier handles skeleton. The Rigging tool can be used to create and connect the nodes automatically—see About Creating Deformations.

Properties

Parameter Description
Enable/Disable

Allows you to enable or disable the node. When disabled, a node has no visible effect on the rendered image, nor on the preview in the Camera, Perspective, Side and Top views.

Colour Swatch

Sets the colour of the layer in the Timeline view and of the node in the Node view.

Name The name of the node as it appears in the Node View and the Timeline view. Each node must have a name that is unique to its containing group.
Resting Parameters Resting Offset
(x) Axis This is the curve x-axis (horizontal) coordinates for the resting position.
(y) Axis This is the curve y-axis (vertical) coordinates for the resting position.
Resting Orientation 0 This is the orientation for the first Bezier handle for the resting position.
Rest Length 0 This is the length for the first Bezier handle for the resting position.
Resting Orientation 1 This is the orientation for the second Bezier handle for the resting position.
Rest Length 1 This is the length for the second Bezier handle for the resting position.
Deform Parameters Offset
2D Path When this option is enabled, the X and Y-axis parameters are controlled by the same 2D path function.
Separate When this option is enabled, the X and Y-axis parameters are individual one from another.
(x) Axis This is the curve X-axis (horizontal) coordinates for the animation position.
(y) Axis This is the curve Y-axis (vertical) coordinates for the animation position.
Orientation 0 This is the orientation for the first Bezier handle for the animation position.
Length 0 This is the length for the first Bezier handle for the animation position.
Orientation 1 This is the orientation for the second Bezier handle for the animation position.
Length 1 This is the length for the second Bezier handle for the animation position.
Envelope Parameters
Apply Parent Modifier's Transformation When this option is disabled, the deformation from the parent curves are no longer affecting the current curve. Interesting effects can be achieved when disabling this effect on the last child curve and rotating the Offset point. The curve tail end will remain pinned on the spot while the rest of the curves deforms.
Close Contour When this option is enabled, the extrimity of the curve is snapped to the initial chain's Offset point. This creates an Envelope deformation. More than one curve can be linked to the Offset point.

Region of Influence

Influence Fade Radius This defines the size of the fade area around the actual region of influence's boundaries—see Curve Node.
Transversal Influence Radius Left

When the Symmetric Ellipse of Influence option is enabled, this field controls the Left and Right transversal radius values. When disabled, it controls the size of the left transversal radius. By default, this value is set to 2.
Transversal Influence Radius Right

When the Symmetric Ellipse of Influence option is enabled, this field becomes inactive. The Left Transversal radius value is automatically applied to the Right Transversal. When the Symmetric Ellipse of Influence option is disabled, it controls the size of the Right Transversal radius. By default, this value is set to 2.
Longitudinal Influence Radius Begin

When the Symmetric Ellipse of Influence option is enabled, this field becomes inactive. The End Longitudinal value is automatically applied to the Begin Longitudinal value. When the Symmetric Ellipse of Influence option is disabled, it controls the size of the Begin Longitudinal radius. By default, this value is set to 0.25.
Longitudinal Influence Radius End

When the Symmetric Ellipse of Influence option is enabled, this field controls both the Begin and End Longitudinal radius values. When this option is disabled, it controls the size of the End Longitudinal radius. By default, this value is set to 0.25.
Symmetric Ellipse Influence

Enabled by default. The shape of the ellipse will be symmetrical on both the transversal and longitudinal radii. In this case, use the Transversal Influence Radius Left field to set the transversal radius value and use the Longitudinal Influence Radius End field to set the longitudinal radius value. The two other fields will remain unused unless you disable the Symmetric Ellipse Influence option. In that case, you can set up different radius sizes for the four radii directions.