#Path question
3 messages in this thread
I have some questions about using paths.
If I want to use one path for an object in a given segment of frames and then
use another path in a following segment, how do I do that?
For instance, I have a box object and I create a circular path in the lofter.
In the keyframer, I define the total length to be 100 frames. I then set the
current segment to frames 0 – 30 and get the path from the lofter and assign it
to the box. Then I tell the box to follow the path. I then go to the key info
dialog for key 0 and set the keys to be SINGLE so the movement does not
continue into the next segment. Now, I set the segment to all of the frames.
Dragging the frame slider, I see the box move around the circle between frames
0 and 30 and stop for the rest of the frames. Now, I set the segment to be
frames 31 – 100, define a helix path in the lofter and get the path and apply
it to the box at frame 31 and make it follow the path. This works great and
the box now follows the helix between frames 31 and 100. Setting the segment
back to 0 – 100 and dragging the slider shows that my circle movement in frames
0 – 30 is gone!
Is there a limit of only applying one path to an object in the keyframer or is
there something that I am missing?
There is no way to combine various paths directly in the Keyframer, but you may
want to try this:
1) Set the total frames to 30. Create the circular path then assign it to the
box, frames 0-30.
2) Save this file. TEMP.3DS
3) Set the total frames to 70. Create the helix path then assign it to the box,
frames 0-70.
4) Go to frame 0, then use Object/Tracks/File Insert, using TEMP.3DS then
select the original box.
5) Use Relative and Source Frames: 0-30.
This will insert the circular path before the helix path as you wanted.
Sligthly convoluted but it works.
DaviD "planning the strategy" GouID
Dave
Another method to David Gould's might be to create an instance of the box,
assign the new path, use the hide keys to switch boxes at the appropriate time.
-Ted Boardman