PathTools for workspace

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stan
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PathTools for workspace

Post by stan »

This is a path system base on the original work of Clinton's in his nurbs cuve script. Thanks!

It brings path animation to workspace.

There is a draw new path feature, activate the draw widget and create a new path.
Open the Paths panel to link object to the path you created and animate..
The two main icons shown access them.

The panel is the main place for animating of objects on a selected path. There is manual and timer methods.A clips aspect and easing aspect.

There are secondary controls on each path node are for hiding path points and handles, matrix / ownermatrix toggle, segments between handles, upvectors and toggle parallel transport.

I hope Draise will elaborate on my brief descriptions at a later point.

After creating a new path which is best done in top view or your object's z axis is on the ground so what you draw is where you expect it to be. You must use 'save to list' icon on main panel. Once added to list you must select it in menu and use 'loader' icon to access it. It will become the 'name' on top of panel, once done you can now link your object. It is possible to link any object to the path with thie 'link' icon as well. There is an 'L' icon next to it to aid in locating object to path, mainyly used if your path matrix is toggled to matrix. The default is ownermatrix.

Frames section is for recording.
record checkbox checked is on.
byTime is a secondary way to use easing. It creates by time not by frame if used.

manual move section
auto records all frames when checked, only one at a time otherwise.

timer section
loop checkbox on/off
ease timer - it must be checked to function with the timer and unchecked for manual move.
period slows or speeds up time.

clips aspect
new track clip icon for creating new track
and methods for naming and retrieving from list.

easing aspect

there are up to three methods at a time available. The checkbox must be checked to use.
there is a long menu of easing methods to choose from. These are using Penner's easing algorithms. Select one from menu to use and set frames beginning and duration.

Paths can be edited and ctrl points moved, added or deleted.
The select by move icon in edit mode might not work at times, forget why. This should be in errors ..

That's the basics..

errors ..
if you save to a new scene and forget to reload 'save to list' you get an error not a warning box..It's easy to forget and remember to use 'loader' icon again too.
Deleting a new path node before closing the draw widget gives a error. Simply close tool first.
Those I know about ..

Save your paths to a path library and use on any object in any scene..like modelside.

There are additional methods for path creation and import path found under the draw icon.


Enjoy..
PathTools installer.RsObj
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Draise
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Re: PathTools for workspace

Post by Draise »

Wonderful! You released it publically!

I have used this, and I can say that I vouch for it.

Later on I'll explain!
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clintonman
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Re: PathTools for workspace

Post by clintonman »

Draise wrote:Wonderful! You released it publically!

I have used this, and I can say that I vouch for it.

Later on I'll explain!
Looking forward to it :bananathumb:

I played around with it a little bit.
What does the record checkbox do?
What's the difference between record by frames and by time?
Why does it have it's own point edit widget? How is it different than the standard?
Clinton Reese

http://clintons3d.com
stan
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Re: PathTools for workspace

Post by stan »

Clinton,
What does the record checkbox do?
the record checkbox when checked records a keyframe for each path poiint when moved along path.

What's the difference between record by frames and by time?
-byTime was the original way of setting keyframes by time. Created many more frames. It was left in in case it was useful.
The default byFrame was easier for Draise to work with and edit after in fcurves.

Why does it have it's own point edit widget? How is it different than the standard?
It has it's own widget for the toolbar mainly. The rotate and scale parts maybe shouldn't be there.
I still like and use the popup toolbar in edit mode, slightly modified how it open /closes so it works better..
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Draise
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Re: PathTools for workspace

Post by Draise »

Finally made a quick intro tutorial. It's uploading now.
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Draise
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Re: PathTools for workspace

Post by Draise »



Intro and tutorial to the basics of Stan's PathTools
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BNG
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Re: PathTools for workspace

Post by BNG »

Kudos to both for the plugin and tutorial. Thank, Leroy.
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Re: PathTools for workspace

Post by spacekdet »

Stan is indeed the man.
Draise, you have a nice English accent for a guy from Columbia.
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Draise
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Re: PathTools for workspace

Post by Draise »

Thanks guys, and yes, thanks Stan, very cool addon there.

I learnt English in New Zealand as a child, that might have helped my accent. :P
stan
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Re: PathTools for workspace

Post by stan »

pathtools1.jpg
Make sure you have the item selected you want to add path to. Then use the paintbrush tool to make a path. The panel will have my last path node listed until you create one. I might have missed a warning issue. It says you have no path points. No one used it so I didn't find all the possible warnings that might be needed.
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