Convert object motion path to curve

Artwork Animations
1

Hi Guys,

We are animating a simple ball flying all over the place. We would then like to take the motion path of the ball and convert it to a curve to create some solid geometry like trails. Is there a way to create a curve from the motion path of an object? Thanks.

1 Like
2

here’s an old script… select object and calculate motion path, then run script from a text editor


## path from -calculated- motion path

import bpy
ob = bpy.context.object
mp = ob.motion_path

if mp:
    path = bpy.data.curves.new('path','CURVE')
    curve = bpy.data.objects.new('Curve',path)
    bpy.context.scene.objects.link(curve)
    path.dimensions = '3D'
    spline = path.splines.new('BEZIER')
    spline.bezier_points.add(len(mp.points)-1)
    
    for i,o in enumerate(spline.bezier_points):
        o.co = mp.points[i].co
        o.handle_right_type = 'AUTO'
        o.handle_left_type = 'AUTO'
4 Likes
3

That was awesome. Thank you very much for the help. If you ever stop by New Jersey, I owe you a beer.

4

You have posted your question in the wrong section.

5

Yeah, I just realized that. Sorry, can the mod move it for me?

6

Yes, just ask one to do so.

7

WORKING VERY WELL ON blender 2.78 (blender of 2016) thanks for the wonderful code :slight_smile:

8

I am using Blender 2.91 -

Traceback (most recent call last):
File “WizardGhost\Text”, line 11, in
AttributeError: ‘bpy_prop_collection’ object has no attribute ‘link’
Error: Python script failed, check the message in the system console

9

it should be a simple fix, add ‘collection’ to that line, like …context.scene.collection.objects…

## path from -calculated- motion path

import bpy
ob = bpy.context.object
mp = ob.motion_path

if mp:
    path = bpy.data.curves.new('path','CURVE')
    curve = bpy.data.objects.new('Curve',path)
    bpy.context.scene.collection.objects.link(curve)
    path.dimensions = '3D'
    spline = path.splines.new('BEZIER')
    spline.bezier_points.add(len(mp.points)-1)
    
    for i,o in enumerate(spline.bezier_points):
        o.co = mp.points[i].co
        o.handle_right_type = 'AUTO'
        o.handle_left_type = 'AUTO'

hope it helps

8 Likes
10

hello. I have so little expirience in coding. Can anybody exolain - how it use to?

1 Like
11

well, first your object should be animated, so you can go to object properties panel > motion path > calculate
then make a new ‘text editor’ window, create a new text and paste the script there… or use scripting worspace
now, with your object selected, run script from text editor window and it should generate a curve object…

bakepath
bakepath1232×720 193 KB

2 Likes
12

thank you!

13

Excelent Script!
Thanks for sharing it :slight_smile:

14

Hello, I`m using Blender 3.4 and get such errors in cycle:

for i,o in enumerate(spline.bezier_points):

File “<blender_console>”, line 1
for i,o in enumerate(spline.bezier_points):
IndentationError: unexpected indent

    o.co = mp.points[i].co

File “<blender_console>”, line 1
o.co = mp.points[i].co
IndentationError: unexpected indent

    o.handle_right_type = 'AUTO'

File “<blender_console>”, line 1
o.handle_right_type = ‘AUTO’
IndentationError: unexpected indent

    o.handle_left_type = 'AUTO'
15

Works in Blender 4.0.2. Thank you!

1 Like