Movement patterns are defined by motion points, which are placed around the canvas to indicate the order of the motion path. Any Object—or even the entire Scene—can be automated to move in a Space. Motion is also hierarchical for parent Objects and their children.
Point “1” will always be the Object’s set location. There is no path without adding a second or multiple points.
In This Article:
Motion Points and Paths
Motion Type - Defines how the Object follows the motion points.
- Linear - An Object will move in a straight line.
- Curve - The path of the Object rounds itself to flow through the motion points with a smooth curvature, averaging its movement.
- Note: Motion paths can also be scripted meaning the motions follows a Lua Script.
Impulse Type - Defines what rate and time the Object follows the motion points.
- Duration - Length of time from one motion point coordinate to the next.
- Velocity - Speed between one motion point coordinate to the next.
Loop Type - Defines how a motion path will loop.
- Loop - The motion path will continually repeat its course until a certain condition is reached.
- Ping Pong - Completes one course of the motion path, then reverses course and continues looping infinitely.
- One Shot - Completes one course of the motion path.
Randomness
Motion points have the ability to deviate from their exact coordinates within a boundary at random. The values entered are relative to the units of the Object they’re affecting. For example, when an Object is working in meters, and you change Randomness from '0, 0, 0' to '1, 1, 1' - when the Object reaches that motion point it will differ up to one cubic meter in any direction. The functionality is using a random number generator within the platform.
Motion Path List
This displays the different motion points, start times, durations and coordinates.
Motion Path Timing
The motion path timing can be easily edited in the lower timeline, or with millisecond accuracy using the inspector. Put an Object with a motion path into focus by double-clicking it and it will appear in the lower timeline with the motion points shown as numbers at their respective start times. You can drag any motion point (except the first) to change its timing without affecting the start time of the other motion points. Hold the option key while dragging to also change the timing of all subsequent motion points.
Adding a Motion Path
There are two main ways to create a motion path by adding a motion point to an Object.
From the Object List or Canvas
When an Object is selected on the canvas, right click the Object to display a menu.
Select Add Motion Point.
Note: Be sure to enable Motion Paths from the canvas display options.
Selecting the motion point in the canvas brings up its movement functions. Right clicking it displays a menu to add other motion points to a default position before or after the selected point. You can also delete the motion point.
Using the Property Inspector
An Object’s properties are visible in the property inspector by selecting that Object from the canvas or the Object list.
Navigate to the motion path section to view the current path. The first point of the motion path will always match the coordinates of the Object in the Scene.
Click the + icon to add a motion point and the - icon to delete a selected Motion point.
Editing a Motion Path
Motion paths can be edited visually in the canvas or by using their options in the property inspector. Editing their position in real-time is done by using the motion path section of the property inspector or by adjusting their timing in the Lower Toolbar.
Using the Canvas
Their locations can be changed by clicking on a point and dragging to the desired location.
Note: Be sure to enable Motion Paths from the canvas display options.
Using the Inspector
In the motion path section of the inspector, the motion points are displayed in sequential order. By clicking on the various elements, such as X coordinate or duration length, they can be edited by typing the desired value. The duration of a motion point is the time which the Object takes to move from the previous point to the coordinates of the selected point.