Modifying Objects Using a Distortion Function

The RadialDistort node is a non-linear transformation of the vertices along directions from the object center, giving either a barrel or pin-cushion distortion. In the following image, two cylinders have been distorted using the RadialDistort node.

Barrel and pin-cushion distortions.

To Modify Objects Using a Distortion Function

1.

Select 3D > Modify > Radial Distort to insert a RadialDistort node anywhere after the 3D object you want to modify.

2.

Attach a Viewer to the node to see your changes.

3.

In the node’s controls, use the display dropdown menu to select how you want to view your object in the Viewer while making changes to it.

4.

To select whether the distortion is a barrel or pin-cushion, adjust the distortion slider. Values below 0 produce a barrel distortion, whereas values above 0 produce a pin-cushion distortion. If you set the value to 0, the 3D object is not distorted.

5.

To control the magnitude of the distortion, adjust the power bias slider. The higher the value, the more distorted the object becomes.

6.

To move the center point of the distortion, enter new coordinates in the rotation center fields.

7.

To control the amount of distortion in each of the x, y, or z directions, adjust the values in the scale fields.

8.

To keep the object’s center in its original place in the 3D space, check preserve center.