Doc:Following a Spline - Revision history

FirasH: Added reference to useful forum discussion

2020-04-01T10:24:55Z

Added reference to useful forum discussion

FirasH: Rephrase order of instruction sentence to match actual steps

2020-03-30T12:05:19Z

Rephrase order of instruction sentence to match actual steps

FirasH: Numbered list instead of plain list for better understanding

2020-03-27T22:56:09Z

Numbered list instead of plain list for better understanding

FirasH: Cleanup to make the page easy to understand

2020-03-27T22:44:03Z

Cleanup to make the page easy to understand

Synme: update link

2019-07-20T17:55:37Z

update link

Synme: /* See also */ add link video

2019-02-23T16:54:54Z

‎See also: add link video

D.j.a.y: /* See also */ See also {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}}

2015-12-14T14:34:18Z

‎See also: See also {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}}

D.j.a.y: /* Make the Arrow Move and Rotate */ See also {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}}

2015-12-14T14:32:42Z

‎Make the Arrow Move and Rotate: See also {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}}

D.j.a.y: TODO which hasn't yet been added to this new tutorial>>>>>

2015-11-22T16:22:57Z

TODO which hasn't yet been added to this new tutorial>>>>>

D.j.a.y: add "See also" section (link to forum tips)

2015-03-25T16:48:40Z

add "See also" section (link to forum tips)

@@ Line 89: / Line 89: @@
 == See also ==
 * Link to Spline command: {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}}
 * A [https://youtu.be/d1hPxgq2qeU video tutorial] showing the steps of this page.

@@ Line 41: / Line 41: @@
 # Select the {{l|Spline Tool}}, this time enabling {{Literal|Create Outline}} and {{Literal|Create Region}} Layer types: [[File:Spline-Tool-Options_0.63.06.png|frame|none]]
 # Draw an arrow (or any another arbitrary shape) pointing to the right side of the Canvas.
-# Switch to the {{l|Transform Tool}} and select the Outline, press {{Shortcut|Ctrl+a}} to select all its {{l|Handle|handles}} except the green position handle.
+# Switch to the {{l|Transform Tool}} and select the Outline, press {{Shortcut|Ctrl}}{{Shortcut|A}} to select all its {{l|Handle|handles}} except the green position handle.
 # Drag the handles so that the arrow is centered around the green position handle.
 # Add a {{l|Rotate Layer}} above the Outline and Region Layers.
@@ Line 53: / Line 53: @@
 # Select the Group Layer by selecting it in the {{l|Layers Panel}}.
 # Then:
-## select its green origin position {{l|Handle|handle}} by clicking on it in the canvas window
+## select its green origin position {{l|Handle|handle}} by clicking on it in the Canvas window
-## select the Rotate Layer by holding {{Shortcut|Ctrl}} and clicking it in the Layers Panel
+## while holding {{Shortcut|Ctrl}} select the Rotate Layer in the Layers Panel
-## select the blue rotation handle by holding {{Shortcut|Ctrl}} and clicking on it in the canvas window
+## while holding {{Shortcut|Ctrl}} select its blue rotation handle in the Canvas window
 #: At this point, there are 2 Layers selected and one handle from each of those 2 Layers selected.
-# Now, select also the curved Spline Layer (it should be the last Layer in the Layer Panel's list) by holding {{Shortcut|Ctrl}} and clicking on it.
+# Now, while holding {{Shortcut|Ctrl}} select also the curved Spline Layer (it should be the last Layer in the Layer Panel's list).
 # Right-click on the dotted line that indicates the position of the curved Spline, not on any handle, but on the dotted line between handles.
 # From the context menu that pops up, select {{Literal|Link to Spline}}: [[Image:Spline-Link-to-0.63.06.png|none|frame|See also {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}} ]]
@@ Line 63: / Line 63: @@
 # Select just the Group Layer, and drag its green handle around. The handle is now constrained to the Spline and dragging it will also affect the rotation of the arrow.
 #: We can now animate the arrow.
-# Turn on {{l|Animate_Editing_Mode}} by clicking the icon in the bottom right of the canvas window:
+# Turn on {{l|Animate_Editing_Mode}} by clicking the icon in the bottom right of the Canvas window:
 ## at time '''0f''', drag the Group Layer's green position handle to one end of the Spline
 ## at time '''5s''', drag the same position handle to the other end of the Spline

@@ Line 31: / Line 31: @@
 First step, let's draw the Spline:
-* Select the {{l|Spline Tool}} from the Toolbox:
+# Select the {{l|Spline Tool}} from the Toolbox: [[File:Spline-tool-0.63.06.png|frame|none]]
-[[File:Spline-tool-0.63.06.png|frame|none]]
+# In the {{l|Tool_Options_Panel}}, enable only the Outline Layer type.
+# Draw a Spline that you want the arrow to move along.
-* In the {{l|Tool_Options_Panel}}, enable only the Outline Layer type.
+# Click the {{Literal|Make Spline}} icon in the bottom left of the {{l|Tool_Options_Panel}} to create the Spline.
-−
-* Draw a Spline that you want the arrow to move along.
-−
-* Click the {{Literal|Make Spline}} icon in the bottom left of the {{l|Tool_Options_Panel}} to create the Spline.
 Second step, let's draw the arrow:
-* Select the {{l|Spline Tool}}, this time enabling {{Literal|Create Outline}} and {{Literal|Create Region}} Layer types:
+# Select the {{l|Spline Tool}}, this time enabling {{Literal|Create Outline}} and {{Literal|Create Region}} Layer types: [[File:Spline-Tool-Options_0.63.06.png|frame|none]]
-[[File:Spline-Tool-Options_0.63.06.png|frame|none]]
+# Draw an arrow (or any another arbitrary shape) pointing to the right side of the Canvas.
+# Switch to the {{l|Transform Tool}} and select the Outline, press {{Shortcut|Ctrl+a}} to select all its {{l|Handle|handles}} except the green position handle.
-* Draw an arrow (or any another arbitrary shape) pointing to the right side of the Canvas.
+# Drag the handles so that the arrow is centered around the green position handle.
+# Add a {{l|Rotate Layer}} above the Outline and Region Layers.
-* Switch to the {{l|Transform Tool}}.
+# {{l|Group}} the Rotate, Outline, and Region Layers. At this point there are 2 top-level Layers:
+## an Outline Layer
-* Select the Outline, press {{Shortcut|Ctrl+a}} to select all its {{l|Handle|handles}} except the green position handle.
+## a Group Layer containing the arrow and the Rotate Layer
-−
-* Drag the handles so that the arrow is centered around the green position handle.
-−
-* Add a {{l|Rotate Layer}} above the Outline and Region Layers.
-−
-* {{l|Group}} the Rotate, Outline, and Region Layers. At this point there are 2 top-level Layers:
-** an Outline Layer
-** a Group Layer containing the arrow and the Rotate Layer
 === Make the Arrow Move and Rotate ===
-* Select the Group Layer by selecting it in the {{l|Layers Panel}}.
+# Select the Group Layer by selecting it in the {{l|Layers Panel}}.
 == Results ==
@@ Line 97: / Line 75: @@
 Synfig project: {{l|Media:Arrow-follows-bline.sifz‎|Arrow-follows-bline.sifz‎}}
 == Controlling the linear velocity ==
@@ Line 107: / Line 86: @@
 For illustration of the "Homogenous" effect see [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PGXroxBcuo this demo].
 == See also ==
 * Link to Spline command: {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}}
 * A [https://youtu.be/d1hPxgq2qeU video tutorial] showing the steps of this page.

@@ Line 15: / Line 15: @@
 * {{l|Doc:Following a Spline#Create the Layers|Draw a curve and an arrow}}
-* {{l|Doc:Following a Spline#Make the Arrow Move and Rotate|Link the arrow's Origin and Rotation}} to the Spline so the arrow follows the curve
+* {{l|Doc:Following a Spline#Make the Arrow Move and Rotate|Link the arrow's Origin and Rotation}} to the Spline so that the arrow follows the curve
 == Tutorial ==
-This is a brief tutorial giving an example of how to use it:
+The tutorial is intended to provide a demonstration on how to use this feature.
 === Create the Animation ===
-File > New
+* Create a new animation by selecting from the menu {{c|File|New}}.
 === Create the Layers ===
-Select the {{l|Spline Tool}}
+First step, let's draw the Spline:
 [[File:Spline-tool-0.63.06.png|frame|none]]
-enable just the Outline checkbox
+* In the {{l|Tool_Options_Panel}}, enable only the Outline Layer type.
-draw a spline that you want the arrow to move along
+* Draw a Spline that you want the arrow to move along.
-click the {{Literal|Make Spline}} icon in the bottom left of the {{l|Tool_Options_Panel}} to create the spline.
+* Click the {{Literal|Make Spline}} icon in the bottom left of the {{l|Tool_Options_Panel}} to create the Spline.
-draw an arrow or whatever, pointing to the right.
+Second step, let's draw the arrow:
-Switch to the {{l|Transform Tool}}
+* Select the {{l|Spline Tool}}, this time enabling {{Literal|Create Outline}} and {{Literal|Create Region}} Layer types:
-select the outline, hit control-a to select all its {{l|Handle|handles}} except the green position handle
+* Draw an arrow (or any another arbitrary shape) pointing to the right side of the Canvas.
-drag the handle so that the arrow is centred around the green position handle
+* Switch to the {{l|Transform Tool}}.
-Add a {{l|Rotate Layer}} above the outline and region
+* Select the Outline, press {{Shortcut|Ctrl+a}} to select all its {{l|Handle|handles}} except the green position handle.
-{{l|Group}} the rotate, outline, and region layers
+* Drag the handles so that the arrow is centered around the green position handle.
 === Make the Arrow Move and Rotate ===
-* Select the group layer by clicking it in the {{l|Layers Panel}}
+* Select the Group Layer by selecting it in the {{l|Layers Panel}}.
-* Select its green position {{l|Handle|handle}} by clicking on it in the {{l|WorkArea}}
-** additionally select the Rotate layer by holding Control and clicking it in the Layers panel
-** additionally select the blue "rotation amount" handle by holding {{Shortcut|ctrl}} and clicking on it in the canvas window
-So now we should have 2 layers selected, and one handle from each of those 2 layers selected
+* Then:
-Now additionally select the curved spline layer (it should be the last layer in the Layer panel's list) by holding {{Shortcut|ctrl}} and clicking on it
+At this point, there are 2 Layers selected and one handle from each of those 2 Layers selected.
-Right-click on the dotted line that indicates the position of the curved spline - not on any handle, but on the dotted line between handle
+* Now, select also the curved Spline Layer (it should be the last Layer in the Layer Panel's list) by holding {{Shortcut|Ctrl}} and clicking on it.
-From the context menu that pops up, select {{Literal|Link to Spline}}
+* Right-click on the dotted line that indicates the position of the curved Spline, not on any handle, but on the dotted line between handles.
 [[Image:Spline-Link-to-0.63.06.png|none|frame|See also {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}} ]]
-The arrow group should move so that its green position handle is on the spline, and it should rotate so that the arrow points along the spline at that point
+The arrow Group should move so that its green position handle is on the Spline, and it should rotate so that the arrow points along the spline at that point.
-Select just the group layer, and drag its green handle around.  you'll see that the handle is constrained now to line on the spline, and that dragging it also affects the rotation of the arrow as expected
+* Select just the Group Layer, and drag its green handle around. The handle is now constrained to the Spline and dragging it will also affect the rotation of the arrow.
-We can now animate the arrow. turn on {{l|Animate_Editing_Mode}} by clicking the icon in the bottom right of the canvas window.
+We can now animate the arrow.
-* at time '''0f''', drag the group layer's green position handle to one end of the spline
+* Turn on {{l|Animate_Editing_Mode}} by clicking the icon in the bottom right of the canvas window:
-* at time '''5s''', drag the same position handle to the other end of the spline
+** at time '''0f''', drag the Group Layer's green position handle to one end of the Spline
-Try {{c|<Caret Menu>|<File>|Preview|}} to watch the animation.
+Try {{c|File|Preview|}} to watch the animation.
 == Results ==
@@ Line 85: / Line 96: @@
 [[File:Arrow-follows-bline.gif|center|alt Following a Spline example]]
-Synfig project : {{l|Media:Arrow-follows-bline.sifz‎|Arrow-follows-bline.sifz‎}}
+Synfig project: {{l|Media:Arrow-follows-bline.sifz‎|Arrow-follows-bline.sifz‎}}
 == Controlling the linear velocity ==
-By default, the arrow travels the whole spline with a constant velocity, independently of the spline structure.
+By default, the arrow travels the whole spline with a constant velocity, independently of the Spline structure.
-If you select the group layer and look at the Parameters Panel, then you'll see that its Origin parameter is {{L|convert|converted}} to {{Literal|Spline Vertex}} type. This is done automatically when you do "Link to Spline" action. You can disable the  "Homogenous" subparameter and then the speed of the arrow will depend on the spline structure - it will take the same time to move along each segment of the spline. So if there's a long straight part then a bendy complex part, the arrow will move much faster along the straight parts (since there will be less vertices in that part). In physics terms, the linear velocity (that is, the speed over the spline) is not constant.
+You can disable the "Homogenous" subparameter and then the speed of the arrow will depend on the Spline structure, it will take the same time to move along each segment of the Spline. So if there's a long straight segment then a bendy complex part, the arrow will move much faster along the straight segments (since there will be less vertices in that part). In physics terms, the linear velocity (that is, the speed over the Spline) is not constant.
 For illustration of the "Homogenous" effect see [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PGXroxBcuo this demo].
 == See also ==
-* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4563 Following a path duplicated]
+* Link to Spline command: {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}}
-* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2803 animate a "travel path"]
+* A [https://youtu.be/d1hPxgq2qeU video tutorial] showing the steps of this page.
-* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9157 A path of scraps(or any other object)]
 * Link to Spline command : {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}}
-* A [https://youtu.be/d1hPxgq2qeU video link] showing the explanation of this page.

@@ Line 100: / Line 100: @@
 * Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9157 A path of scraps(or any other object)]
 * Link to Spline command : {{l|Command:Link_to_Spline}}
-* A [https://youtu.be/crsCxM6Fxqg video link] showing the explanation of this page.
+* A [https://youtu.be/d1hPxgq2qeU video link] showing the explanation of this page.

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:54, 23 February 2019
Line 100:		Line 100:
	* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9157 A path of scraps(or any other object)]		* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9157 A path of scraps(or any other object)]
	* Link to Spline command : {{l\|Command:Link_to_Spline}}		* Link to Spline command : {{l\|Command:Link_to_Spline}}
		+	* A [https://youtu.be/crsCxM6Fxqg video link] showing the explanation of this page.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:34, 14 December 2015
Line 99:		Line 99:
	* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2803 animate a "travel path"]		* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2803 animate a "travel path"]
	* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9157 A path of scraps(or any other object)]		* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9157 A path of scraps(or any other object)]
		+	* Link to Spline command : {{l\|Command:Link_to_Spline}}

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 {{NewTerminology}}
 <!-- Page info end -->
-:Note: There is also a slightly out-of-date tutorial on this topic at [[Tracking Curves]].  It contains some info, particularly about link/export, which hasn't yet been added to this new tutorial.  There is also another [[Following a BLine (the very old way)|very out-of-date tutorial]] for synfig 0.61.08.
+:Note: There is also a slightly out-of-date tutorial on this topic at [[Tracking Curves]].  It contains some info, particularly about link/export, '''which hasn't yet been added to this new tutorial'''.  There is also another [[Following a BLine (the very old way)|very out-of-date tutorial]] for synfig 0.61.08.
 == Introduction ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:48, 25 March 2015
Line 97:		Line 97:

	For illustration of the "Homogenous" effect see [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PGXroxBcuo this demo].		For illustration of the "Homogenous" effect see [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PGXroxBcuo this demo].
		+
		+	== See also ==
		+	* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4563 Following a path duplicated]
		+	* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?t=2803 animate a "travel path"]
		+	* Synfig forum : [http://www.synfig.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9157 A path of scraps(or any other object)]