Button Modeling on old Armchair

2Shae

Hi everyone, i am kinda new to 3D modeling, i am taking a course atm and i've run into a problem when trying to create a 3d model of an old armchair and i was hoping someone could possibly point out some tools in maya'12 that could be useful for me to create what i want.



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This is the armchair that i am trying to create in maya i got some modeling done already and i want to create the buttons that are all around the chair( not the ones pressing the leather cushion, the ones that you see on the front part of the armrest and around the top border edge).

Thanks in advance any kinda of help will be deeply apreciated !

Ark

Easiest way would be to create the buttons first, then use a curve to deform them into shape.

You can do it following this: http://www.polycount.com/forum/showpost.php?p=715419&postcount=2

2Shae

First thank you for your quick answer!

As i said i am a newbie with maya so i don't really know what to do with that code should i insert it in MEL someway or somewhere else ? Sorry for the noobness!

Thanks!

Ark

Sorry i should have elaborated a bit more.

Simply model out your "button" model, youll probably have to clone it quite a few times, then create a curve following the shape of the buttons. Then select button mesh, then shift select the curve and go to:

Animate > Motion Paths > Attach to Motion Path

This makes the object move along the spline.

Then:

Animate > Motion Paths > Flow Path Object

This will create a lattice around the object to deform it to the shape of the path.

All editable > animatable, so you can scale, tweak and reshape as needed.

Haven't used Maya in a while so that maybe a bit rusty.

2Shae

Thank you Ark that was really helpfull i was able to create all the buttons in the correct shape with "Create Animation Snapshot" option in maya and following your instructions !

Ive got them on place along a line i wonder if theres any kind of deformer that i can apply so the armrest deforms to the buttons shape so they look pressed against the couch like they are in reality !?

Thanks once again you've been very helpfull!