Problem - Manipulating a flat object to wrap round a cylinder

[Anonymous]

I have encountered a problem in 3DS max design, where I need to wrap a flat object round a cylinder with a degree of control so that the object does not go through the cylinder.

The prinicple is similar to where a belt would be wound round a cylinder and would start to make layers over itself.

I have tried to do this with the "bones" and "skin" modifier all linked together but it warps the belt terribly.

It looks like that the "belt" is not picking up the bones in the middle and just utilising the bones at the ends of the chain.

Does any one know how to do this or have done anything similar before?

Please help me!!

[blakestone]

Here is a method I often use... take the object (in your scenario the cylinder) you want to wrap your other object and create a spline using the Create Spline From Selection option. Once you have the spline you want then you can use the PathDeform Modifier. See attachment.

I also demonstrate this in a YouTube video here: http://youtu.be/cQLDK8gz6Dw

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the reply

I tried what you recommended in your video but I was unable to generate the effect what I require. In addition I also tried the path deform tool on with a spline I had drawn freehand and that did'nt work either 😞

I've attached a video of what I am fully trying to acheive, with the white piece of paper being the "belt" and the pens being the cylinders.

Also attached is the 3ds project file encase  you can figure it out.

[Anonymous]

and here is the 3ds max design file

[ekahennequet · Accepted solution]

Hi. It looks like you don't have any segment on your box object. Increase your Width Segs (Length or Height, depending on your box's orientation) to as many as blakestone used in his screenshot. Your Box will not deform or bend if there are not enough segments (edges). Also, in PathDeform settings, change the Path Deform Axis if necessary if the orientation of your box seems distorted. You will need to animate the "Percent" value in order for your box to move through your path. Click-and-drag on the spinner to see the effect in Viewport.

Attached is a crude example.

Also attached the sample scene file:

[Anonymous]

Thank you very much ekah, this is exactly what I need as it allows me to manipulate the belt object with the spline. Much appreciated.

However, I have tried to do it with the product that I have designed and I am unable to split it into "segments" since it is not a box.

Since it is made from polygons, is there another modifier I can use to segment it? 

The product is currently a group. Do I need to merge it before I can segment it?

here is the pictures and the file.

[Steve_Curley]

Yes, you'll probably have to "merge" it all together.
Probably the easiest way after merging would be to download Populate:- Terrain and use that to create a subdivided version. That will create a single side of the object though, so you'll have to reconstruct the other side, and the edges, from that. Easy enough to do though - just shout if you get stuck.

[Anonymous · Accepted solution]

You could collapse the object into one single mesh/poly object and try subdivide (object-space) modifier, I did something similar once in the past. It is a bit tricky but maybe could help.

ivan