Problem Using Influence Objects

Maya
1

Maya supposedly allows an influence object (e.g. poly sphere) to be bound to a polygonal mesh (e.g. human body) , OR to a subset of vertices of that polygonal mesh. I would like the influence object to affect only a dozen or so vertices, and I dont want it to alter the weights of all the other vertices unnecessarily.

Unfortunately, I cannot get Maya to bind the influence object to a select subset of vertices of the mesh. I get an error when I attempt it. Has anyone been able to accomplish this?? I would love to know how to do so!

Thanks for any help.

For Reference, here are the instructions from Maya Help....

 To add an influence object

    1. Position the influence object.
    2. Select the skin, skin object(s) (for example, NURBS surfaces), or skin points (NURBS CVs or      polygonal vertices) that you want the object(s) to influence.
    3. Also select the influence object.
    4. Select Skin > Edit Smooth Skin > Add Influence > .

       The Add Influence Options window appears.

    5. Set the Add Influence options as desired.

       If you turn on the Use Geometry option (the default), Maya creates an influence object base node   (appears as influenceObjectBase in the Outliner). By default, this node is hidden so you won't see it in the scene.

    6. Do one of the following:
      * Click Add to add the influence object now.
      * Click Save to save add influence options without adding influence object(s) now.
      * Click Reset to reset to the default add influence options.
      * Click Close to close the Add Influence Options window without adding the influence object.
2

add it with 0 distance of influence, thiswat you can later easily affect it for the points you wish only.

Offcoourse its noyt realy hatrd to script this to work exactyly liek you want but for that you shoudl turn to your own TD.