Unfortunately not. Meshwarp has one keyframe property for the entire mesh (sort of the same way masks behave). Honestly I can't think of any way to do such an effect outside of a 3D app. I really wish AE would develop some true deformer tools.

On Tue, Jan 15, 2013 at 8:06 AM, John Morgan <John.Morgan@slcc.edu> wrote:

 

16 years ago I messed a bit with Softimage 3D. Animating objects to path and having their orientation follow the path was pretty easy. Applying a lattice so the object could bend and flex as it follows the path was not too difficult either.

 

Now in Ae I’m trying to relearn that technique. I have a solid layer (a rectangle box) following a path with ‘auto-orient’ turned on, so the path animation is done.  What is the trick to making the layer flex as it rounds the corners? The path is an s-curve shape where the S elongates on Z axis.  Can Mesh Warp be applied in a way that it will interact with the curves in a path?

 

Trying to expand my knowledge. Any links to tutorials are appreciated.