Springs

[JohnD7810]

Ive been trying to figure out how to succesfully make a spring in maya i havent succeded in making one any help is appreciated

i am trying to make a spring like in the picture

[dougj7 · Accepted solution]

I don't know if I'm over simplifying this, but wouldn't Create>PolygonPrimitives>Helix work?

[Anifex09]

My favorite way to make a animatable spring is to use a tool found in Maya Bonus Tools - Create - Create Spiral Curve. Then just create a circle and extrude it along the spiral. You can then scale the spiral curve without deforming the spring.

[JohnD7810]

were do i find the bonus tools

[JohnD7810]

i did find the bonus tools but how do i extrude along the spiral

[Anifex09]

1. Create your spiral Curve
2. Goto Create - NURBS Primitives - Circle
3. Select the Circle then shift select the Spiral Curve
4. Goto Surface- Extrude [option box]
5. set style to [Tube] - Result position to [At path]
set Pivot to [Component] - and set orientation to [Profile normal] - if you are using polygons set the Output geometry to Polygons - set Type to Quads - Tessellation method to General - use 16 for the U and 200 for the V - apply

[JohnD7810]

Thank you Anifex09, your solution works for big springs, but i think i like dougj7's way better

thanks for the help i appreciate it much