OT: Question for Boris Red users

flippin wrote on 1/12/2005, 8:50 AM

Is there a convenient, visual way to set the path that you want a spline object to follow?

I've been doing this with keyframes, manually setting the x, y, and z position controls in the control window for each separate keyframe. But it's a bit clunky (more accurately, I am a bit clunky...).

It seems like the following convenience might be very possible: In 2D, x and y dimensions,use some tool to draw out a path that you want an object to follow. Then go back along that path, establish keyframes and set the z values (and the x,y,z tumble, spin, rotate values) as desired.

I'm having trouble juggling all of the controls at once to produce good movement of objects--reminds me of watching my son when he was first learning to walk.

Anyone have some insights into this?

Thanks, and best regards,

Lee

Comments

mjroddy wrote on 1/12/2005, 12:39 PM

I can't help you much, since I don't know if you can use 2D to draw a spline path. Maybe.
But I know that when I have a complicated path, I occasionaly have trouble with the object's flow over that path as it moves through the key frames.
To smooth this out, I spiral the tools down to find Transformations, then spiral down the Positions. This opens up a great way to control the spine curves.
So far, I'm still stumped as to how to affect the SPEED of the object so it's not stopping as it moves through they keyframes. But I just haven't played with it that much.
Hope this helps in some small way.

flippin wrote on 1/12/2005, 2:03 PM

Thanks, mjroddy, your comments are helpful.

I'm sure you've seen the drop-down menu that includes "types" of motion, i.e., linear, ease in/ease out, accelerate, etc.

As far as I can tell the only obvious way to control speed of an object from point A to point B is by choosing an appropriate duration for the overall timeline, then spacing your keyframes appropriately to make a movement between positions, A --> B , occur in the correct amount of time. Speed = distance divided by time.

Best regards,

Lee