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.

Path Constraint v.0.7 with Loop Option
Forum Path Constraint Tank Tread Demo from Matthew L. Stoehr on Vimeo.
Also, a complex curves example video.

Path Constraint version 0.7 with complex spiral curve.
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. -------------------------------------------------------------------------*/
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