3D & SimulationSurface Operators
Inflate
Pushes vertices along their normals.
The Inflate deformer fattens or shrinks the mesh.
- Found in the node graph under Surfaces → Deformers
The image on the right is the example patch itself. Drag and drop it onto the app, or load it with File → Load, to open the full graph. A subdivided sphere with the deformer at its defaults, under a Light.
Inputs and outputs
| Port | Type | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Surface | Surface | The mesh to deform. |
| Field Image | Texture | A texture read by the Image field shape. |
| Origin Object | Surface | A Null to parent to. |
| Surface | Surface | The deformed mesh. |
Parameters
- Inflate (−2 to 2, default 0.2).
Field
- Field (default off) — limits the deformer to a region. Field Shape (Sphere, Box, Plane, Image), Field Size, Falloff, Inner Radius, Invert Field, Field Follows Mouse, Image Channel, and the Field Position / Heading / Pitch / Roll / Scale block.
- Position X / Y / Z, Rotate Heading / Pitch / Roll, Scale X / Y / Z, Uniform Scale — the deformer's own frame, which sets its axis.
Every slider has a per-parameter animation bar, so it can be animated, audio driven, or MIDI mapped.
Examples
Shrink-wrap — Inflate −0.2 with a field.
Troubleshooting
It does nothing — the wire must land on the main Surface input, not a side port, and the mesh needs enough vertices. Raise the Primitive's Subdivision.