FOLDING ANIMATION

[comfort-sense]

Hi,

I am trying to get a circle shape fold into a perfect triangle. But how to create the illusion of the circle folding forming a trainagle like a play button icon ?

Link to the animatuion reference
https://youtu.be/WCLyjiJ7j18

And here is my fold usin a bend deformer

sa1.c4d

[Dr. Sassi]

Hi comfort-sense,

Thanks for the file.

Please have a look here
CV4_2025_drs_25_ANct_01.c4d

Around a triangle, I created a 120º Spline Circle Sector element, and the Spline mask produced the Polygons.

The Spline Mask Object was set to the Triangle's edge location to be used later on and animated for the folding.

This was placed under a Null and then CMD+dragged (copied) twice. This (Sub Group) Null, being at Position 0, 0, 0, allows for rotating so the three sectors create a circle (120º and -120º).

When you look for animated parameters, you will find how easily this can be folded over time.

I also used the Spline Mask-Circle Sector's (Sub Group) Null to shift those three slightly in P.Z. so they do not occupy the same space. If a texture is applied, that prevents problems.

Let me know how that works for you.

All the best

[Dr. Sassi]

P.S.: Above is a quick version. If you like to have the round on the right of the Play button, the animation will get a little more advanced.

CV4_2025_drs_25_ANct_02.c4d

[comfort-sense]

wow Dr Sassi!

this is so coool ! I never though of using Spline mask at all, there are so many tools I dont use ! Thank you so much, let me go through your setup and try to understand step by step !

You are a lifesaver thank you again !

[Dr. Sassi]

Thank you very much for the reply, comfort-sense.

I shared the more straightforward version first to communicate the core setup.

However, I knew that the example video had some "tricks" in it, but that would not have explained the core well, with all the little detailed animations.

If you go through files 01 and 02, it might be easier to see the workflow.

Please do not hesitate to ask if anything is not clear.

It was fun to create the two scenes for you.

Have a great evening.

[comfort-sense]

Hi Dr Sassi,

Good morning ! I had one follow up question. I tried adding thickness, by the new Thickness deformer, whoch is causing the polygons to break, Cloth is working, but i have crank up subd to really hugh level to get smooth poly, but is making it very heavy...what is the best wayto maintain procedural thickness adjustability on the shapes ?

Thank u !

[Dr. Sassi]

Hi Comfort-sense,

I left the Spline-Mask in the files, as it holds the animation, but set it to be inactive, so it works like a Null only.
The Extrude might be the way to go.

CV4_2025_drs_25_ANct_11.c4d
CV4_2025_drs_25_ANct_12.c4d

Let me know if that works for you.

All the best

[Dr. Sassi]

P.S. I have no idea if that works with your target aesthetic, but I wanted to share it anyway.

CV4_2025_drs_25_ANct_22.c4d

[comfort-sense]

definitely an interesting approach ! i didnt think Volume But actually I am looking at clean hard surface look ! Thank you for sending me your test. Let me play around a bit !

[Dr. Sassi]

Thanks for the kind feedback, comfort-sense.

I hope you find the exact setup and enjoy the exploration

My best wishes for your project