Path Constraint Property Editor
 
 
 

| Path | Tangency | Up Vector Options

Constrains an object so that it follows the path of a curve during playback of an animation.

For more information, see Setting Objects on Paths and Constraining an Object to a Curve (Path) [ Animation ].

To apply: Select an object, Constrain Curve(Path) or Create Set Path(and set up the Set Path parameters), then pick the curve to which the selected object will be constrained.

To redisplay: Select the constrained object, choose ExploreConstraints on the MCP, and click the constraint's icon.

Path

Active

Toggles the activeness of this constraint.

Blend Weight

Blends the weight of this constraint with other constraints on the selected object.

Path %age

Controls the percentage of the curve to be used as a constraining force on the selected object.

Attach Point -- Constrained Object

Lock to Path on Interaction

Prevents the constrained object from being moved off the path when interactively translating it using the Translate tools (unless CnsComp is on).

Affected by Orientation

Constrained object is affected by the orientation of the constraining object.

Affected by Scaling

Constrained object is affected by the scale of the constraining object.

X/Y/Z

Sets the offset distance in global space on the X/Y/Z axes of the constrained object in relation to the constraining object. If you add an offset, you can set the Coupling to either soft or rigid.

Coupling

Determines how constrained object move in relation to the constraining object when there is an offset between them (set with the X/Y/Z sliders). When the offsets for both the constrained and constraining objects are set to zero (off), the coupling has no effect.

Rigid: The constrained object mimics the rotation of the constraining object. Rigid constraints are represented by a small square in the center of the constraining object.

Soft: The constrained object is allowed a certain degree of flexibility in relation to the constraining object, similar in nature to a ball joint. Soft constraints are represented by a small circle in the centers of the constrained and constraining objects.

Tangency

Tangency Active

Toggles the activeness of the tangency values on the constraint.

Axis to Align

X/Y/Z

Sets the axis of the constrained object that will always face the slope of the constraining curve. You can either click the axis buttons (positive and negative X, Y, Z) or enter 1 or -1 in the axis text boxes.

Up Vector

The up-vector constraint makes the Y axis of a constrained object point to a constraining (control) object or a specific point. See Up Vector Options for information.