Taper
Taper is a global transform: after all effects, it scales each horizontal cross-section by a factor that varies with height. Top Scale and Bottom Scale set the multipliers at the ends; Center Height marks where the cross-section keeps unit scale (1×), so you can build cones, flares, hourglasses, and smooth bulges without redoing the profile curve.
Preview
Effect Controls
Interactive preview is available in the interactive reader.
Parameters
Top Scale- Radius multiplier at the top of the form (0× to 3×). 1× = unchanged at the top; below 1× narrows; above 1× widens into a flare.
Bottom Scale- Radius multiplier at the bottom (0× to 3×). 1× = unchanged at the bottom; pair with Top Scale to taper toward a point or a wide base.
Center Height- Height where scale is exactly 1×, as a fraction of total height (0 to 1, shown as a percentage). The blend between top and bottom scales is interpolated through this pivot.
How It Works
Taper applies a height-dependent uniform scale in the horizontal plane (X and Y): each layer’s outline grows or shrinks while the stack order along Z is preserved. At Center Height, scaling is 1×; toward the top and bottom, scaling approaches Top Scale and Bottom Scale respectively, so the silhouette transitions smoothly.
With other global transforms enabled, each runs in list order together with Stretch, Twist, and Bend (add order under Transforms). Add or remove transforms to change that sequence and compare flared-then-twisted versus twisted-then-flared results. TransformUIPreview uses TransformType.TAPER, not a modulator preview.