The Path tool provides an additional method of adding movement to objects, by defining points through which the object will pass.

To draw a path, select an object and click the path tool button. You may also press and hold down the p key. You can now insert new points by right-clicking in the edit area and select for instance Add curve point.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Timeline

Whenever an object has a path, this will show in the Timeline. Clicking the small arrow next to the object will show a timeline view of the path.


The vertical lines in the timeline view shows where the path points are positioned. If you click on a path point in the edit area, it will be selected and you can then modify its position and angle.

When the mouse pointer is a move pointer () you can drag downward to create a pause on a path point. The empty space corresponds to the time the object is not moving and instead pausing on the path point.

Timeline context menu

Right-click on the path in the timeline view to open the path timeline context menu.


  • Auto adjust path timing
    Adjusts the time intervals between path points based on the distance between them. This has the effect of maintaining a constant speed throughout the path movement. This will include the pauses on path points.
  • Setup path intervals
    Opens a dialog in which to enter the time in between each path point - the same time will be used regardless of the distance between the points.
  • Setup path pauses
    Opens a dialog where you may enter the amount of time to pause on each of the points in the path.
  • Delete path pauses
    Delete any and all pauses on path points.

Dialogs

Path context menu

Right-click the edit area to bring up the path context menu.


  • Add curve point
    Adds a curve point (You may also use Ctrl+left click)
  • Add line point
    Adds a line point (You may also use Ctrl+Shift+left click.)
  • Delete point
    Deletes the selected path point.
  • Point type
    You may also use the corresponding buttons in the Path movementdialog.
    • Lines - Make the point a hard corner point.
    • Curves - Make the point a curve point.
    • Symmetry - If unchecked, allows for independent control of the curve entering the point as well as the exiting curve.
  • Movement
    Changes the movement along the path
    • Linear - Maintains a constant speed during the interval in between this point and the next.
    • Accelerate - Increases speed during the interval.
    • Slow down - Decreases speed during the interval.
  • Copy path
    Copies the path to the clipboard.
  • Paste path
    Pastes a copied path.
  • Lightbulb.pngNote: This will overwrite an existing path on the object.
  • Save path
    Save the path to a file on disk. The file extension for a saved path is .disepath.
  • Load path
    Load a path from disk.
  • Delete path
    Delete the entire path.
  • Special
    Special commands
    • Collapse path points - Retains the points but puts them all at the starting point.
    • Distribute path points - Retains the points but puts them in a line from the start to the end point.
    • Invert path points - Switches position of the points so that the last point is the first and so on.
    • Copy path to all objects - Copies the current path to all objects in the scene.

Lightbulb.png Note: This will overwrite any existing paths.

Path settings

The Path settings tab in the top menu holds the properties for a selected point in a path. For instance, further specify for how long the object's path should pause on the selected point.



  • Point type
    Same thing as the right click dialog
    • Lines - Make the point a hard corner point.
    • Curves - Make the point a curve point.
    • Symmetry - If unchecked, allows for independent control of the curve entering the point as well as the exiting curve.
  • Point time on path
    The exact time on the timeline the point will be passed.
  • Pause time at point
    The exact time on the timeline to pause on the point.
  • Point position
    Specify the position in space (X,Y,Z) of the point 
  • Point angle
    The object, when passing, will have to rotate to angle up.
    The angle is defined in degrees for X, Y and Z.

3DAxis.png

Lightbulb.png Note: You may enter a value of over 360, in which case the object has to rotate several times to angle up!

  • Speed type
    Adjusts the type of speed of the object along the path
    • Speed up - Increases speed during the interval.

    • Linear - Maintains a constant speed during the interval in between this point and the next.

    • Slow down - Decreases speed during the interval.