3ds Max Modifier - Affect Region
Modifier : Affect Region
Works on: Meshes, Poly’s, and Patches
3ds Max Description : The Affect Region modifier is a surface modeling tool, primarily used with vertex sub-object selections while surface modeling. With Affect Region, transforming a selection of vertices can also transform vertices in the region that surrounds the selection. This can help you form a bubble or indentation in the surface of an object. The easiest way to see this modifier’s effect is with a shallow, flat box object with plenty of subdivisions. The Affect Region modifier has a two-part, arrow-shaped gizmo plus numeric controls.
My 2 Cents : I hardly ever use this modifier, but as a way to keep a parametric selection it seems like it would be useful. Paired with other modifiers like Slice or Noise, i think one could get interesting results. In the past (prior to looking into this modifier) i would apply an Edit Poly modifier, use soft selection and leave the selection active. Essentially, it is a parametric soft selection
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This modifier is handy for animation. Example, near the end of the Matrix film, agent Smith has these bumps running up his skin just before exploding. They used Houdini for that effect, but you can pull it off with this tool. For architecture… I can’t think of any applications.
Of course, trying to animate that effect with this modifier would probably be inefficient.
If you could have the points travel along a spline path, then you’d have an interesting method.