Viz Artist User Guide

Version 3.14 | Published October 30, 2020 ©

PathFinder

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The PathFinder plug-in creates an animation path based on predefined shapes.

Note: This plug-in is located in: Built Ins -> Container plug-ins -> Tools

PathFinder Properties

The properties of the PathFinder plug-in are different for each selected mode:

Common Properties

  • Shape Type:

    • Circle: Uses an existing 2D Circle geometry for the animation path.

    • Wave: Uses an existing 2D Wave geometry for the animation path.

    • Spring: Uses an existing 3D Spring geometry for the animation path.

    • Line: Uses an existing 2D Line geometry for the animation path.

  • KeyFrame Smooth Level: Defines how smooth the spline is.

    • Linear: Does not add smoothing.

    • 1-6: Determines the level of smoothing.

  • Direction: Determines the direction the spline is built.

    • Clock: Builds the spline in a clockwise direction.

    • Counter Clock: Builds the spline in a counter clockwise direction.

  • Axis: Determines the axis orientation.

    • XY: Builds over the X and Y axes (facing up).

    • YZ: Builds over the Y and Z axes (facing the screen).

Circle Properties

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  • Radius: Determines the radius of the circle.

  • Resolution: Determines the number of key frames on the circle.

  • Start Point: Defines the starting angle for the circle. This value can be less than 0 and more than 360, but the value always corresponds to the degree value of a circle.

Wave Properties

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  • Wave Length: Determines the length of each wave.

  • Wave Amplitude: Determines the height of each wave.

  • Resolution: Determines the number of key frames on each wave count.

  • Count: Determines the number waves to create.

  • Start Point: Determines how the wave begins. A value of 0 starts at the bottom, while a value of 100 starts at the top.

Spring Properties

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  • Spring Type: Determines the type of spring path.

    • Slalom: Creates a smooth shape.

    • Steps: Creates a shape more like circles connect to one another.

  • Radius: Determines the radius of the spring.

  • Radius Change %: Increases/decreases the radius size. The spring shape turns into a cone when the radius is decreased.

  • Distance: Determines the height of the spring.

  • Resolution: Determines the number of key frames on each spring count.

  • Count: Determines the number of spring iterations.

Line Properties

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  • Axis: Builds line on X, Y or Z axis.

  • Length: Determines the length of the line.

  • Resolution: Determines the number of key frames on the line.