How To Make a 3D Model Or an Array of 3D Model Follow A Curve | Blender Tutorial

Curves and it’s various types like Bezier or Path Curves are extremely versatile in their use

and can help 3D Artists in making non destructive and fast iterations in their 3D Scenes.

They can be extremely useful in cases such as creating Railway Tracks or a Chained Fence,

where you just need to repeat the same reusable block which is our 3D Model

but in a way which is Organic and can also be Non Destructive.

In this Article, we will look at 4 Steps following which you will be able to

Make a 3D Model or an Array of 3D Models follow a Curve or Path Curve to be precise.

So, without further ado, let’s get started!

Step 1 – Make the 3D Model That You Want To Follow A Curve / Path Curve or Want To Duplicate Along it

Well Duh! Of course you will need to create a 3D Model first.

For this article, I’ll be using this simple interlocked chain link like 3D Model

which I basically made by extruding a Default Cube into a C Shape

and then using a Mirror Modifier with an empty axis as center.

I also added Subdivision Surface Modifier at level 3 and Smooth Shaded the 3D Model.

If you get weird Shading Issues like in the image below

You just need to select the 3D Model having the Shading issue

then go to Properties Panel -> Object Data -> Normals -> Auto Smooth

and Enable Auto Smooth with the default settings.

It is highly likely that just by doing this the shading issue will go away.

Step 2 – Add Array Modifier to 3D Model and Tweak The Settings

With the 3D Model ready, now as we want to create a chain with this 3D Model

we will need to add an Array Modifier to it in the Modifiers Pane / Tab in the Properties Panel.

After that, we will need to modify the settings to increase the Number of Duplicate 3D Models

and also change the Offset in the appropriate X, Y or Z Axis

so that it looks like the Duplicates 3D Models are interlocked.

Don’t Apply the Array Modifier as we want it to be Non Destructive

so that we are able to modify the amount of chain links and offset later if some issue arises.

Step 3 – Add A Curve / Path Curve To The Scene and Modify it however you want

With that done, we will now need to add a Path Curve.

You can add Bezier Curve, Circle Curve, Nurbs Curve, Nurbs Circle Curve

or basically Any Type of Curve that you want

as finally what we need is a Curve Object in our scene to follow.

You can do add the Path Curve by going to the Layout Tab

and then while hovering over the Viewport press Shift + A to open the Context Menu

In this Context Menu, go to Curves -> Path and click on it to add a Path Curve to the current scene.

If the Path Curve is too small in comparison to your 3D Model,

you can Scale it just like any 3D Model in Blender.

Now, with the new Path Curve in the scene, select it and then press Tab to enter Edit Mode.

Here, you will be able to see 5 control point already exists on the Path Curve

which by default is straight. How Ironic! :p

If you want to Add More Control Points for finer control,

you can do so by selecting 2 or more control points and then Subdividing it whenever you want.

With the control points there, you can select as many control point that you want

and then use the Blender Default G (Grab) key to move it freely within the Scene

to make your Path Curve look the way you want it to.

Mine looked like this when I was done.

Just an FYI, you won’t be able to add more control points to Bezier Curves or Circle Curves without some sort of Blender Addon.

Step 4 – Add Curve Modifier To The 3D Model and Tweak The Settings

With the Path that you want your 3D Model to follow constructed,

now we will need to go back to the 3D Model in my case the chain links

and then adding the Curve Modifier to the 3D Model in the Modifier Pane / Tab of the Properties Panel.

After that, finally we need to set the Curve Object to the Path Curve that we have created above and our job should be done!

You also need to make sure that the Array Modifier is Above the Curve Modifier

as otherwise the Duplicate 3D Models will not follow the Path Curve.

Now, if you do this and you still can’t get the 3D Models to follow the Path Curve

you will need to play around with the Deform Axis drop down in the Curve Modifier

just go through each of them, and one of them will definitely work.

And that all there’s to it!

You now have an 3D Model or Array of 3D Model following a Curve or a Path Curve in this case.

Conclusion

Well Folks! That does it for this article and I hope that you found this information useful.

May you have success in your career whatever it may be.

See you again in the upcoming articles!

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