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I'm trying to bend a simple snake-like model (see the figures) using a curve in order to tune the shape for my needs. I first tried to use the curve modifier, but since I'm already given a mesh with deformed axis it didn't work as expected. I next thought of using the lattice modifier, deformed itself by the curve I set, i.e. I first bend the lattice to match the form of my mesh (using a Bezier curve) and then apply it as a modifier to my mesh.

enter image description here

Unfortunately, it didn't work either: the lattice twists and squeezes the shape the way I don't want (see the figure).

What am I doing wrong? How to make the mesh deformation follow the curve I specify?

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ Probably you haven't applied transforms on some of your objects. With curve specified lattice will follow its deformation, and the cube will follow the lattice. $\endgroup$
    – Mr Zak
    Commented Sep 8, 2015 at 18:33
  • $\begingroup$ Thanks @Mr Zak for suggestion, but in my case, the lattice follows the curve, though the mesh doesn't. Which transforms did you mean? The gif looks encouraging! $\endgroup$
    – neek
    Commented Sep 8, 2015 at 19:26
  • $\begingroup$ The problem is already visible when I'm trying to "align" my mesh: I need to keep it's volume, but however I move it, it gets squeezed in the best case $\endgroup$
    – neek
    Commented Sep 8, 2015 at 19:39
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    $\begingroup$ I meant applying scaling and rotation made in Object mode. It can influnce on the modifiers' result, rather drastically sometimes. Still, in your case the mesh does follow the lattice as I saw, it simply gets transformed not in desired way. "Aligning" mesh may be tricky, but you can start with grabbing yours by Z axis (or start tweaking objects' origins etc). $\endgroup$
    – Mr Zak
    Commented Sep 8, 2015 at 19:49
  • $\begingroup$ In the reference they mention that the lattice should fit around the object, but nothing is mentioned about the origin. Should the origin of the mesh and the lattice match? I tried moving the mesh around, but I still can't get an expected deformation. $\endgroup$
    – neek
    Commented Sep 8, 2015 at 20:38

1 Answer 1

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In case of mesh already bent, whose volume should be preserved, it can be too complicated to use Lattice modifier. Lattice can be edited with using Curve Modifier, but the last one may not be applied to it. And the results in this case will be rather unpredictable and bad looking (for example).

You could edit Lattice by yourself in Edit mode, but why ? A good reason not to do that is that you won't be able to use provided curve as a desired shape.

A workaround is to create rig for the mesh.
You add armature, extrude it (I began from right to left). Then you parent mesh to armature (with Automatic weights will suit your needs) and grab / rotate bones as you'd like:

enter image description here

I used curve as a reference according to which I edited the bones:

enter image description here

Download file here.

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