Why the 'Simple Deform' modifier bending my object on the wrong axis?

Question

I'm trying to bend this simple object, a cube and I was following a Youtube tutorial on how to do it and I performed each and every step and it doesn't seem to work for me. I don't seem to understand what I'm doing wrong. Can anyone help please?

Steps.

1. Create a cube
2. Scale it along Y-axis
3. Added several loop cuts
4. Created an Empty
5. Added the Simple Deform modifier to the cube
6. Selected Bend
7. Set the Axis, Origin to empty

enter image description here

Answer 1

By default, with the Simple Deform modifier, in Bend mode, the object will bend on its Z axis. So if your object bends in a unexpected way, it must be because you have rotated it in Object mode, and its Z axis is not aligned with the global Z axis anymore. In that case you may want to apply the rotation with a ctrlA.

If you give the Simple Deform another Axis Origin, like for example an Empty, the object will bend according to this second object's Z axis. So same thing, if your object bends in a unexpected way, rotate your empty the way you want.

Answer 2

In 2.79, simple deform modifier will bend around Z axis and with a bending center on the Y axis.

We can see it here:

• On left, the way the mesh is subdivided
• Center: the center is on the y axis and the modifier try to bend around Z but this is not where the mesh has enough geometry (and is expected) to bend.
• Right: the empty is rotated indicating the Y axis is on the right

The center is at 'mesh width divided by the angle in radians'.

Using 2.80 the axis which has the role of the Z axis in 2.79 can be changed using the modifier parameters panel.