How to smooth an arrayed object so the breaks between objects are less obvious?

Question

I have this shape, made by arraying a single tentacle segment, using an empty scaled to 0.9 for the offset.

I want to smooth it out, so that instead of looking like a bunch of blocks laid on top of each other, it's a smooth shape, like this:

I tried using the Smooth modifier, but it only smoothed the individual segments, even after applying all modifiers.

Answer 1

Using an empty with a scale factor, you will also need to proportionally scale one end of your mesh so it matches the scale factor given to the empty.

You can instead try an array modifier with the fit curve option, and use a bezier curve to drive it. Then use a curve modifier afterwards and control the downscaling with the curve radius by entering Edit Mode in the curve and pressing Alt + S on the tip vertex.

Don't forget to delete the top faces of your tentacle segment mesh so there are no internal faces.

The downside of this technique is that it will always give some stretching effect caused by the radius not affecting curve length.

Answer 2

I think if you add a shape key at the top of your mesh to scale inward. Then you will be able to "slide to fit"!

Give me a little bit of time and I will circle back around to polish this answer.

I am still coming back around to polish up the steps involved, but here is the basic recipe:

1. Your Mesh.

2. A Lattice.

3. An Empty.

4. A Lattice Modifier on your Mesh.

5. An Array Modifier, set Object Offset to Empty.

6. Vertex Group on your mesh.

7. Vertex Group on your Lattice.

8. Two Shape Keys on your Lattice Object:

   • One for a Basis Shape

   • One for your Scaling

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