You can define path animation by moving an object and saving path keys at different frames. The path curve is created automatically as you go. The keys can either represent a percentage of the path length or be locked to a particular point along the path, depending on which command you choose.
To create a path by setting path keys
Move the playback cursor to the frame where you want the animation to begin and select the object you want to animate and translate it to where you want it to start.
Choose one of the following commands from the Path menu on the Animate toolbar:
Save Key on Path sets a key corresponding to a percentage of the path's length.
If you modify the path later by adding, deleting, or moving its points, the timing may change because the same percentage would correspond to a different location on the curve.
Save Locked Key on Path sets a key corresponding to a specific location on the curve. The object always passes through that specific location on the curve at that frame, even if the shape or length of the path changes.
Change frames, move the object, and repeat step 2 (middle-click the Path menu button to repeat the last-used command).
Softimage automatically updates the curve and timing information. Continue until you have completely defined the path.
To modify the path timing, see Modifying the Path Timing; to modify the path curve itself, see Modifying the Path Curve or Trajectory.
To remove the animation, see Removing Path or Trajectory Animation.
