Non-linear bend in Maya

Joopson

Hey guys,
So, while using the bend tool in Maya I realized something entirely stupid. You can't set the start angle and end angle. So if I want the model to bend 90 degrees, do I just have to eyeball it? Or is there any more accurate way to use the bend modifier? For Modular pieces it seems reckless to not be able to make it exact.
Any ideas?
Thanks!

m4dcow

The Bend tool uses radians, so it depends on if you're using high or low bounds but 1/2*pi bends 90deg, pi bends 180deg etc...

It is a pain in the ass, I think they should have an option to use degrees because 90degrees is far more accurate than 3.14159265 (pi) which gets cut off at 3.141.

Joopson

Oh, thanks! Yeah, seems a bit haphazard. But, I suppose it works. Better than eyeballing, no doubt.

kodde

Cool. Did not know.
I did a google search and there's an expression unit conversion command called deg_to_radians().

In other words, you can quickly just add an expression to your curvature attribute like so:
bend1.curvature = deg_to_rad(45); <- This is for a 90 degree bend using low bound 0 and high bound 2 with manipulator at the base of the object.

Not sure, but I'm guessing this might handle more accurately internally. It shows up as 0.785 in my channel box.

EDIT:
Actually, this probably has the same accuracy. At least judging by the help info.
http://download.autodesk.com/global/docs/maya2012/en_us/files/Useful_functions_deg_to_rad.htm