Taper

The Taper modifier produces a tapered contour by scaling one end of an objects geometry. You can control the amount and curve of the taper on two sets of axes. You can also limit the taper to a section of the geometry.

Examples of default tapers

The following procedure uses the default axis settings.

Reference

Setting Taper Axis and Symmetry

The Taper modifier provides two sets of axes and a symmetry setting in the Taper Axis area of the Parameters rollout. As with other modifiers, these axes refer to the Taper gizmo, not the object itself.

Primary: The central axis or spine of the taper, X, Y, or Z. Default=Z.

Effect:The axis, or pair of axes, indicating the direction of the taper from the primary axis. Determined by the choice of primary axis. The effect axis can be either of the two remaining axes, or their combination. If the primary axis is X, the effect axis can be Y, Z, or YZ. Default=XY.

Symmetry: When checked, produces a symmetrical taper around the primary axis. A taper is always symmetrical around the effect axis. Default=unchecked.

Primary axis                               Effect Axis

Effect of moving modifier center with limits set

How To

To taper an object:

1. Select an object and click Taper on the Modifiers rollout.
2. On the Parameters rollout, accept the defaults for Taper Axis.
3. Set the amount of the taper. The amount is a relative value with a maximum of 10. Positive amounts produce an outward taper, negative amounts an inward taper. Default=0.

The object tapers to this amount beginning at the lower limit, by default the location of the modifier’s center.

4. Set the curve of the taper. Positive values produce an outward curve along the tapered sides, negative values an inward curve. At 0, the sides are unchanged. Default=0.

The sides curve in or out.

To limit the taper:

1. Check Limit Effect in the Limits area. Default=unchecked.
2. Set values for the upper and lower limits. These are distances in current units above and below the modifier's center, which is at zero on the gizmo's Z axis. The upper limit can be zero or positive, the lower limit zero or negative. If the limits are equal, the result is the same as unchecking Limit Effect. Defaults=0.

The taper offset is applied between these limits. The surrounding geometry, while unaffected by the taper itself, is moved to keep the object intact.

3. At sub-object level, you can select and move the modifier's center.

The limit settings remain on either side of the center as you move it. This lets you relocate the taper area to another part of the object.