User Manual

Complete documentation for FriskyCage lattice deformation plugin for LightWave 3D.

Installation

  1. Copy the plugin file to your LightWave plugins folder
  2. In Layout, go to Utilities > Add Plugins
  3. Select the FriskyCage plugin file
  4. Restart LightWave Layout

Plugin Types

After installation, three plugins are available:

  • FriskyCage - Displacement handler for deforming meshes
  • FriskyCage_Draw - Custom object handler for viewport visualization
  • FriskyCageWeight - Motion modifier for per-null weight maps

System Requirements

Requirement Details
LightWave Version 2019.1.5 or later
Operating System Windows 64-bit
Mode Layout only (not Modeler)
Network Required for license verification

Quick Start

1

Select Your Object

Select a mesh object in Layout.

2

Apply FriskyCage

Go to Object Properties > Deform > Add Displacement and select FriskyCage.

3

Generate a Cage

Click "Auto Cage (Grid)" to create control nulls around your mesh.

4

Deform

Move the FC_Cage_XXX nulls to deform your mesh.

First Time Setup

Click the "License..." button and enter your Gumroad license key to activate.

Auto Cage (Grid)

Creates a voxel-based lattice around your mesh. Best for structured, grid-like control.

Parameters

Cage Density
Integer (4-200, default: 20)
Target number of control points. More points = finer control but more nulls to manage.
Offset %
Integer (0-100, default: 10)
Pushes cage points outward from the mesh. Higher values give more room to work before deformation begins.
Symmetry
None / X / Y / Z
Mirrors the cage across the selected axis for symmetrical deformation.

Auto Cage (Wrap)

Creates a convex hull around your mesh that follows its shape. Best for organic models like characters.

Grid vs Wrap

Grid Wrap
Voxel-based, structured Hull-based, organic
Evenly spaced points Points follow mesh contours
Best for props, mechanical Best for characters, curved shapes

Custom LWO Cage

Use any LightWave object as a custom cage for full control over point placement.

Setup

  1. In Modeler, create a low-poly mesh surrounding your target object
  2. Save as LWO
  3. In Layout, apply FriskyCage displacement to the target
  4. Click "Add Cage (LWO)" and select your file

Supported Formats

LWO2, LWO3, and LWOB files are supported.

Benefits

  • Full control over point placement and topology
  • Show LWO Geo option displays filled polygons
  • Backface culling for cleaner viewport display

Child Object Deformation

Deform child objects (parented items) along with the parent. Perfect for clothing and accessories on characters.

Setup

When generating a cage, FriskyCage detects child objects and prompts to include them. Say yes to apply the same cage to all children.

Example

A hat parented to a character's head deforms naturally when head cage points move.

Removal

Remove Cage - removes from current object only.
Remove All - removes from current object and all children sharing the same cage nulls.

Weight Maps

Two weight mapping options for controlling deformation:

Global Weight Map

Masks the entire FriskyCage deformation. Weight 0 = no effect, weight 1 = full effect.

Weight Map
Popup
Select a weight map on the object to globally mask deformation.

Per-Null Weight Maps

Use the FriskyCageWeight motion modifier to restrict individual cage nulls to specific areas.

Setup

  1. Select a cage null (e.g., FC_Cage_001)
  2. Open Motion Options (press m)
  3. Add modifier FriskyCageWeight
  4. Choose the weight map for this null's influence area

Example: Limb Isolation

Paint weight maps for each body part. Apply FriskyCageWeight motion modifier to cage nulls with matching maps for surgical control.

Symmetry

Mirrors the cage across X, Y, or Z axis for bilateral deformation.

Axis Options

Axis Use Case
X Characters facing +Z
Y Symmetrical props
Z Side-view characters

Note

Wireframe visualization may show gaps at symmetry boundaries, but deformation works correctly.

Main Panel

Access via Object Properties > Deform when FriskyCage displacement is applied.

Controls

Control Function
Enable Toggle deformation on/off
Weight Map Global weight map mask
Cage Density Target control points (4-200)
Offset % Cage distance from surface (0-100)
Symmetry Mirror across X, Y, or Z
Auto Cage (Grid) Generate voxel cage
Auto Cage (Wrap) Generate hull cage
Add Cage (LWO) Load custom cage file
Remove Cage Remove from this object
Cage File/Info Show filename and point count
License... Enter license key

Draw Options

FriskyCage_Draw is a custom object handler for viewport visualization. Add it to your object to see the cage wireframe.

Controls

Control Function
Edge Color Wireframe line color
Point Color Control point color
Opacity % Overall transparency (0-100)
Show LWO Geo Display filled polygons (LWO cages only)
Geo Color/Opacity Fill appearance

FCWeight Panel

FriskyCageWeight is a motion modifier for restricting cage null influence to weight map areas.

Access

Select a cage null, open Motion Options, add modifier FriskyCageWeight.

Controls

Control Function
Weight Map Defines this null's influence area

Character Setup

1

Prepare

Ensure character parts are properly parented. Paint weight maps for body parts if desired.

2

Apply Cage

Select the body mesh, add FriskyCage displacement. Click "Auto Cage (Wrap)" with ~40 points.

3

Include Children

Accept the prompt to include child objects (head, hands, accessories).

4

Add Weights (Optional)

Apply FriskyCageWeight motion modifier to cage nulls for per-body-part control.

5

Animate

Move FC_Cage_XXX nulls to deform. Keyframe positions for animation.

Prop Deformation

Mechanical Props

Use Auto Cage (Grid) for boxy shapes. The structured grid gives predictable deformation.

Organic Props

Use Auto Cage (Wrap) for curved shapes like cushions or soft objects.

Grouped Props

Parent multiple props to one null, apply FriskyCage to the parent with children included. All deform together.

Animation Tips

Keyframe the Cage Nulls

The FC_Cage_XXX nulls are standard LightWave items. You can:

  • Keyframe their position for animated deformation
  • Use motion modifiers on the nulls
  • Parent nulls to other animated items
  • Use expressions to drive null positions

Scale for Falloff Control

Scale a cage null to control its influence radius:

  • Scale > 1: Influence reaches further
  • Scale = 1: Default influence
  • Scale < 1: More localized influence
  • Scale <= 0: No influence (disabled)

Coordinate Space

Cage nulls are parented to the deformed object. Move them in the object's local space for intuitive deformation. For world-space deformation, unparent the nulls (not recommended for animated objects).

IDW Algorithm

FriskyCage uses Inverse Distance Weighting (IDW) to blend cage point displacements.

Formula

weight = 1 / (distance^2)
displacement = sum(weight * cage_movement) / sum(weights)

Null scale extends or reduces influence reach. Weight maps mask the effect.

Performance

IDW runs per-vertex per-frame. For heavy scenes, use a proxy mesh for animation.

Licensing

Activation

  1. Click the "License..." button in the FriskyCage panel
  2. Enter your Gumroad license key
  3. Verify online (internet required)

Offline Work

Verify once online. The license remains valid for the session and is saved in the scene file.

Terms

License keys are per-user. Sharing violates terms and may deactivate your key.

Troubleshooting

No Deformation

  • Check Enable is on in the panel
  • Verify license is active
  • Ensure cage nulls have moved from rest positions

No Cage Nulls

  • Target must be a mesh object (not null/light)
  • Check Command Interface is available

Wrong Deformation

  • Check parenting hierarchy for children
  • Verify weight maps aren't masking unexpectedly
  • Increase Offset % for more deformation room

Performance

  • Reduce Cage Density
  • Use proxy mesh for animation
  • Lower cage opacity in viewport

License

  • Internet required for first activation
  • Enter key exactly as provided

Scene Sharing

Recipients need FriskyCage installed with their own license. Cage nulls recreate automatically on load.