It would be nice if this tool worked on Reference objects ? I have a hierarchy of objects that can bend with the null being the parent of all the "parts" but Instance on curve cannot bend objects around a curve ?

Hello Falam, sorry for my late reply .

What do you mean by reference objects ?
Currently you can add null object to the Samples group and all sub objects in your null hierarchy will be instanciate on the curve.
If you want instanciate individually all sub objects, just put them directly into your Samples group.

You can detail your question, I will answer quickly is promised !

Thanks for that tip
What I mean is, I have a object that has a hierarchy of objects, this object has 'joints' that can bend and I have imported it into the scene as a reference object, from my point of view, instance on curve won't accept reference objects ?

Going back to the first sentence , I would like the object to bend, to clearer understand what I'm talking about think 'chain' as in bicycle chain but not an exact 'bicycle chain' I would like the 'chain' in my case the parts to bend on the curve.

You can put a reference model with a hierarchy of objects on the "Sample" group and it will be instanciate with all sub objects.

Now, if you wan't bend a hierarchy of objects along the curve you can put all sub objects individually in your Samples group (see picture above).


Don't forget to uncheck the "Randomize Selection" parameter.

Otherwise, you can use the Derform By Curve operator.
Hope that help you !

My results are pretty good, although I have a suggestion. You mentioned if I want a hierarchy of objects along the curve to bend, I should place all object individually in the 'samples group'.

What if they are individual with a null being the parent (reference object) this is my scenario, and they are not bending ? To clarify, the null is the parent of all the individual parts, imported into the scene as a reference object, instance on curve is applied to the curve and the null with all it's individual pieces is packaged up as a 'group' and placed into the 'samples group' of the instance to curve tool, although the individual parts of the objects are not bending along the curve.

Yes, you must place all objects individually in your group (or select them with your curve before creation).
Because you may want to instanciate simples objects and model/null composed by a hierarchy of objects, together.

Also, if you want to preserve your hierarchy with the null, first generate instance with your curve and null selected and after remove manually your null from the group and put your childs objects into it.

All my objects are individual objects, the null is the parent for all those parts, below is what the result looks like. The parts are not bending along the curve, rather the object duplicates it's self (instance) along the curve.

You may place your pivot at the beginning or end of your objects and then use the next influence parameter (as in the photo below) .

What is missing is collision detection, or if it can work with, mesh paint, I think that was it where you can move objects around as if your painting!

Hello !

Here is an update of Instance On Curve now 1.2 with new functionalities :
- Expose "accuracy" parameter
- Adjust scale with real space in X,Y Or Z
- Delete Last Instance on open Curve
- Delete Neighbors with distance
- Random scale on X,Y,Z independently
- Offset scale on X,Y,Z independently

And new functions in the menu :
- Create from preset
- Save preset
- Randomize
- Update instances (workaround to a softimage bug : http://www.si-community.com/community/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=3009)


You can see an overview below



You can also play with the "delete neighbors" compound which is part of the main compound.