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I'm trying to add a 'distorted' effect to a model. Are there any tools that can make this a more easy process? Pictures with the effect I'm going for below.

distorted 1

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    $\begingroup$ Use a displace modifier driven by a cloud noise texture. Are both images what you are looking for, or are they a before and after? $\endgroup$
    – PGmath
    Nov 23, 2015 at 23:17
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    $\begingroup$ Welcome to the site! Just so you know, this isn't really the place to be offering/taking jobs. For that I'd go someplace like BlenderArtists.org. But luckiliy, I don't think you'll need someone to do it for you. I'm sure someone here will answer this. I personally would play with the displacement modifier, and maybe shape keys. $\endgroup$
    – TARDIS Maker
    Nov 23, 2015 at 23:18
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    $\begingroup$ @AXLC I'm working on an answer with some more details. But I'd use normal displacement for the first image and RGB to XYZ displacement for the second. $\endgroup$
    – PGmath
    Nov 23, 2015 at 23:22
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    $\begingroup$ @AXLC, can you state if a post effect on the image would also be acceptable? or does this have to happen in 3D-space? if so why? $\endgroup$
    – ideasman42
    Nov 24, 2015 at 1:19
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    $\begingroup$ @DalekMaker ...also, thanks for pointing me to BlenderArtists.org ...I'm looking for a few freelancers for regular work throughout the year and it looks like there is plenty of help in that forum. $\endgroup$
    – AXLC
    Nov 24, 2015 at 15:18

2 Answers 2

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I would use a series of displacement modifiers to achieve this effect. The displace modifier moves the vertices of a mesh around based on a texture.

To get a similar result to your reference image I have stacked two displacement modifiers. Here is a render with three examples, from left to right: no displacement, first displacement modifier, both displacement modifiers.

enter image description here

They are both driven by clouds noise textures. The first displacement modifier is left at the default normal displacement direction, this moves each vertex along its normal. The second displacement modifier uses a slightly larger clouds texture and XYZ to RGB displacement, this converts the red, green, and blue channels in the texture to displacement in the X, Y, and Z directions. The texture driving this displacement modifier uses a multicolored color ramp to generate different red green and blue channels.

enter image description here

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  • $\begingroup$ ...awesome...I'll try this. $\endgroup$
    – AXLC
    Nov 24, 2015 at 1:48
  • $\begingroup$ @AXLC Great, glad I could help! If it ends up working you can hit the green check mark next to the answer to mark it as accepted. $\endgroup$
    – PGmath
    Nov 24, 2015 at 1:50
  • $\begingroup$ ...I ended up using the 'magic' noise texture...but all the other settings were a huge help in getting me there. Thanks again! $\endgroup$
    – AXLC
    Nov 24, 2015 at 2:18
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I'll demonstrate you some mesh deformation methods using poor Suzanne ;).

  • USING PROPORTIONAL EDITING WITH RANDOM FALLOFF TYPE

enter image description here

The simplest way you can do I think is to go to Edit Mode and click Select-->Random, while vertex selection mode is enabled. Now you can enable the proportional editing with Random falloff type, then grab, rotate and scale some vertices to make deformations. enter image description here

Remember, that you can set deformed vertices' transformations as a shape key to not destruct your base mesh.
enter image description here

  • USING LATTICE MODIFIER

    enter image description here

Being in Object Mode add a Lattice (Add-->Lattice). Subdivide it using options in Object Data header, and place your object inside it. Give your object a Lattice Modifier and set everything as pictured below. Select your Lattice, enter Edit Mode, select some random Lattice vertices, then grab, rotate and scale them (also using Random falloff of the proportional editing). enter image description here

  • USING MESH DEFORM MODIFIER (for a better control over deformations)

enter image description here

Create a low poly representation of your object and name it for example 'cage'. Place your object inside it. Give it a Mesh Deform Modifier and set everything as pictured below. Give the Precision factor a low value (the bigger the value, the more possibility, that your computer'll cry ;)). Next click the Bind button to bind your object to a low poly 'cage' mesh. Now, when you deform vertices of the 'cage' your object's vertices will be deformed as well. enter image description here

Try to mix these for better result.

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  • $\begingroup$ I'd mix in the displacement also $\endgroup$
    – TARDIS Maker
    Nov 24, 2015 at 1:57
  • $\begingroup$ Hehe, good idea. This may be an explosive mix :). I know one more method. Give me some time and I'll update my answer. $\endgroup$
    – Paul Gonet
    Nov 24, 2015 at 2:03
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    $\begingroup$ @Gonzou ...wow...awesome advice. I'll play with these techniques for sure. $\endgroup$
    – AXLC
    Nov 24, 2015 at 2:36
  • $\begingroup$ @Gonzou good going with the lattice, nobody uses that awesome tool. I must say I was surprised to see it already here. UVed $\endgroup$
    – David
    Nov 24, 2015 at 3:16
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    $\begingroup$ @David thanks for the kind words :). You're right, lattice is a powerful tool. Though since I discovered Mesh Deform modifier I fell in love with it even more, as it allows you to deform strictly defined parts of the mesh with a great precision. I think using it is a good alternative for a Lattice modifier. $\endgroup$
    – Paul Gonet
    Nov 24, 2015 at 12:41

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