How to create a Helix along path

# 1 03-11-2013 , 06:45 PM

Subscriber
Join Date: Mar 2011

Posts: 41

Hello,
I'am doing an old dial phone.How can i create a Helix along a curve path?
I've tried to bend the Helix,which was created with polygon prmitives,with the bend deformer but this is not working well.

Attached Thumbnails

Click image for larger version

Name: Unbenannt.JPG
Views: 1002
Size: 40.0 KB
ID: 54847

Last edited by ssd160; 03-11-2013 at 06:48 PM.

Quote

# 2 03-11-2013 , 06:59 PM

Bored but busy
Join Date: Mar 2011

Location: Cleveland

Posts: 76

You Tube spiral along a curve in maya. That tutorial is concise.

Quote

# 3 03-11-2013 , 07:18 PM

Subscriber
Join Date: Mar 2011

Posts: 41

I've tried that Tut..Yes, I even downloaded it in 1080p.But somehow that won't work for me.Maybe because my curve goes in all 3 directions.His cuvre is only x and z.

Quote

# 4 04-11-2013 , 06:28 AM

Subscriber
Join Date: Sep 2002

Location: Northampton

Posts: 249

Best way to manipulate it would be to skin it to some joints.

It is by my will alone I set my mind in motion

Quote

# 5 05-11-2013 , 01:05 PM

Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Michigan, USA

Posts: 2,998

I have a twisted wire video tut someplace on the sight. I am running out the door at the moment, so I can't search for it. If you can't find it I'll be back later and will post a link.

But the main idea is start with a cube and a path. Extrude the cube along the path. Modify the twist parameter of the extrude node. Extract one of the edges and you have your helix along a path and best of all its history is still attached to the original curve so you can move it around.

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Isaac Newton, 1675

Last edited by ctbram; 05-11-2013 at 09:00 PM.

Quote

# 6 05-11-2013 , 02:46 PM

Subscriber
Join Date: Mar 2011

Posts: 41

Hi ct,
That sounds good,better then try to rig it. I will try it out,but could you post the tut anyway please?? I think I don't know how to extract edges.
TnX for the Support man!!

Last edited by ssd160; 05-11-2013 at 02:48 PM.

Quote

# 7 05-11-2013 , 08:56 PM

Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Michigan, USA

Posts: 2,998

I think a variation on this method would get you what you need.

I am still not sure why some of my links show an image and some only show a hyperlink???

Here are a couple links....Sorry about the length, I tend to ramble on a lot.

https://simplymaya.com/forum/showthre...t=twisted+wire

and

howto - model a twisted wire that follows a path.mp4 - YouTube

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Isaac Newton, 1675

Last edited by ctbram; 05-11-2013 at 09:01 PM.

Quote

# 8 06-11-2013 , 08:51 PM

Moderator
Join Date: Jan 2004

Location: Michigan, USA

Posts: 2,998

I found this while looking for some other stuff and it uses nHair to create the helix and dynamic control curve. His accent is a bit hard to take but it seems this would be the perfect approach.

Phone cord Maya tutorial pt 2 - YouTube

Maybe Dave would have a chance to watch it and then remake something that is more understandable as he is the MAC-DADDY of the nSystem stuff!!! (smile)

"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Isaac Newton, 1675

Quote