| Properties | ||
 |
Origin | Defines the fixed side of the layer. It is the side opposite this which will move when the layer bends.
|
 |
Angle | The new angle for the side of the layer opposite the Origin. Range: -180º to 180º; Default: 0º |
 |
Start | The position within the layer at which the bend starts. For example, if this is set to 33%, the third of the layer nearest the origin will remained fixed, and the remaining two thirds will bend. Range: 0% to 100%; Default: 0% |
 |
Before Start | Controls how the part of the layer before Start is handled.
|
| Advanced | ||
|
Tune Head | Tune Head limits the bend at the end of the layer opposite the origin. Range: 0% to 100%; Default: 75% |
|
Tune Tail | Tune Head limits the bend at the origin. Range: 0% to 100%; Default: 25% |
Usage
Bend works best with long, thin layers.
To bend from one end, set Origin to the side that will remained fixed in place, then adjust Angle to achieve the desired amount of bend. To bend only part of the layer, adjust Start.
To bend from the middle, the process is the same, but set Start to a value other than 0% or 100% and change Before Start to an option other than Freeze.
Tuning Head and Tail
For some layer sizes, certain combinations of settings can result in a discontinuity where the layer curves back on itself too far, creating a "kink". This usually happens when Angle and Start are at extremes, especially for wider layers.
Normally, in cases such as this, you can just decrease Angle or Start to remove the discontinuity.
However, if you plan to use a fixed value for Angle and use keyframe animation with Start to gradually move the bend from one end of the layer to the other, it can become difficult to avoid these discontinuities. For such cases, limiting the maximum amount of bend that can be applied when Start is near an extreme can be helpful.
That's what Tune Head and Tune Tail do. Tune Head limits the amount of bend in the end of the layer opposite the origin, while Tune Tail limits the amount of bend at the origin. To use them, animate the layer as you want, ignoring any discontinuities. Then scroll the timeline until the discontinuities are at the most extreme, and adjust Tune Head or Tune Tail just enough to remove the discontinuity.
Use Cases
- Animating springy or elastic things (use with elastic easing)
- Modeling curved shapes like rainbows