Zipper trick!

Here is a nifty little trick I’ve found to attach a zipper to a model. I’ll assume that you have a zipper assembly already modeled with tape included. This is relatively easy to do with an array. Now that you have a straight zipper, the question is how to conform it’s shape to the jacket or, in my case, a boot?

Begin by deleting out quads where the zipper belongs. Then select the edge loop you’ve left behind. Duplicate the edge and separate.

Now merge corresponding vertex to center such that you have an edge running down the center of the hole. You can then convert this to a path, reverse direction if needed and use it as a curve modifier target for your zipper assembly.

Now it’s just a matter of extruding the hole to naturally fit the zipper tape.

Interesting tip.