Stretching a "slave" object using a "master" object.

[Anonymous]

Hi to everybody, I'm a new 3DSMAX user.

I'm trying to make a simple animation with 3 cubes. Cube A si the "master" cube with static dimensions and is in the central position. Cube "B" and "C" are "slave" before and after the "A" cube. I would like to stretch them if cube "A" moves... leaving the start point of the Cube B and Final point of Cube C fixed.

Please take a look at the image attached. As you can see the first "row" is the initial state, then in the second row A moves to left, in the third row A moves to right. My animation needs to have B and C stretching to adapt to A movement. Is there any way to achieve this ?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[bobweb · Accepted solution]

Hi, I would suggest the following:

- Put a Poly-Select-Modifier on box B

- Select all vertices on the side that faces box A

- With the selection still active, put a Linked XForm modifier on top and pick box A as control object

- Repeat with box C

- This way the selected vertices are linked to box A, see attached example.

As it is often the case, there are several ways to create something. One could also think of a stretchy bone, that drives the box via skin modifier. Or a script/wiring that changes the box width dependent on the position of box A etc. I guess it depends on your final need...

[Anonymous]

Thank you so much for your reply. It simply... works ! 🙂