Form and Space

Path Constraint version 0.7 is here already! This version came a little early, but it’s too good not to share. It was only a few days ago, March 7th, when I released the version 0.6 of the Path Constraint tool. I shared it on the Maya forums at CGSociety.org when a user named Farcue asked me to add looping functions for complex curves. Farcue asks:

If I had a complex path ––say, a helical path bent in a circle and made periodic–– how would I go about animating objects attached to it via your script so that they moved around the path while maintaining spacing? A la tread or conveyor. I feel so ungrateful making the suggestion … but I think the option to invoke the “continuous circuit” animation, described above, ought to remain available. Whether on top of the functionality you’ve added … or separately.

Well, you have the option now! I’m very excited about this. Farcue’s request was easily integrated into the Path Constraint, even as a toggle.

Basically, this version will do everything the last version could do, with the added bonus to toggle looping on or off. The setup requires a set driven key and a little work in the Graph Editor, but the script handles the rest. I’ve created a small video to help you along.

Forum Path Constraint Tank Tread Demo from Matthew L. Stoehr on Vimeo.

Also, a complex curves example video.

forum pathConstraint spiral loop from Matthew L. Stoehr on Vimeo.

Please share with me what you make with my tools, so I can include it in my demo reel and resume.

/*-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Path Constraint, public release
version 0.7
Matthew L. Stoehr
formandspace.com
mattstoehr@gmail.com

Objective:
Constrain objects to a curve with a linear distribution.

Instructions:
Select the object(s) to constrain, then select the curve.  Run the script.

Notes:
1.  Selection order is the order of objects on the path.
2.  Rotate the upvector object to spin the objects on the path.
3.  Change -worldUpVector to the perpendicular direction of the curve.  
    For example, a defualt circle should have an up vector of 0 1 0, or 
    a curve drawn from the front view should have an up vector of 0 0 1.
4.  This script can be run on the same path multiple times.
5.  To make a cyclical path animation, like tank tread.
    A. Enable loop (set to 1.0, default is 0).  
    B. Option 1, keyframe the Offset attribute from 0 to 1.0, 
        or -1.0 for the opposite direction.
       Option 2 (best), use a set driven key to drive the offset by
       another object.
    C. Then enable pre and/or post-infinity for the Offset attribute.
        That's in the graph editor.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------*/