<< is this something possible to do with 3d?

Yes you can! :)
It's the Flow function as you find! The more interesting function of Moi! :)
Menu Transform / Deform / Flow
You must have 2 objects: Source - Target
And a Line / Curve / Surface as Transfert (here the rectangle)


Any Rotate - Size - Move of any Source, Target, Transfert depending of what result you want!

Have fun!



PS 2 videos (Sorry in French, but very Visual! :)
http://moiscript.weebly.com/enrobage-dobjet-v3.html
http://moiscript.weebly.com/enrobage-dun-tore-v3.html