ProType Paths - create a circle?

Tim Stannard wrote on 11/11/2007, 7:05 AM

I'm trying to create a path which follows a circle in ProType Titler.
I can create an approximation - the text enters, does a loop then exits. The "problem" is to make the "loop" a perfect circle (eventually I want it to circle around a graphic)
I suspect I am lacking some basic understanding of Bezier curves.
Suggestions anyone?

Comments

Grazie wrote on 11/11/2007, 9:10 AM

Tim, I've done a perfect circle with the Beziers within Pan/Crop MASK. I'll have a go in the next 24 hours using the same approach - yeah?

Grazie

TheHappyFriar wrote on 11/11/2007, 9:38 AM

you'd need four points to make a complete circle & have the last/first point at the same point. :)

I've found it easy to create the graphic in a image program & then use that as a "template".

Tim Stannard wrote on 11/11/2007, 9:58 AM

Thanks Guys,
THF - I'd figured that as a starting point. And agree with you about using an image as an underlay (can you do that in the PTT editor display though?) My "problem" is getting the two handles to be the same length - and hence able to get the curvature the same on both ends. It seems whenever I create a new node, the two Bezier handles are created different lengths. Then the madness begins!
Obviously I'm missing something.
BTW does anyone understand what "Linearize handle" (an option when you right click on a node) actually does?

Spot|DSE wrote on 11/11/2007, 11:00 AM

BTW does anyone understand what "Linearize handle" (an option when you right click on a node) actually does?
It creates a straight line between start and finish points of the curve, removing any additional ramping/smoothing that may be part of the curve's attributes.
Build a curve, then run the text over the curve in the different modes. You'll see the properties of the curve change.

Tim Stannard wrote on 11/11/2007, 12:54 PM

Thanks, Spot. I'd previously had a play but couldn't really figure out what was going on. And to be honest, my simple mind failed to make sense of your explanation as it talked about creating as straight line between the start and finish points of a curve. This didn't make sense to me as one applies "Linearize" to a node (ie one end of a curve only).

However, it gave me enough of a clue and to anyone else confused by this I suggest you do the following:

1. Create a curve
2. Linearize handles on any two consecutive nodes

The result will be a straight line between the two. The implications of applying Linearize handle to only one end of a curve then become much clearer.

Now, if I could just manage a circle.......