so after hours of searching i found this tutorial,
http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Manual/Animation/Following_a_Path
however no matter what i do the object only follows the path for 100 seconds,
in the tutorial, it says you need to change the pathlength from 100 to how ever long you want it, but when i change it to 200 the path still lasts for 100 frames… can some one help me with this?
Well, it should work and I’ve never had any problems with it but since it won’t work for you…add a time IPO.
I have had the same problem. You can do it in the ipo editor. There are some tutorials here. I would look at the one for keyframes and ipo curves and also the paths and dupiframes one.
ok thanks i’ll check out the tutorial.
dang. another update.
EDIT: updated http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Manual/Animation/Following_a_Path#Following_a_Path
but does anyone know what PathLen does anymore?
but does anyone know what PathLen does anymore?
A Path has a Speed IPO (which a Path Curve has by default and other curve types don’t) which only goes to frame 100; so it overrides the PathLength value. If you delete the Speed IPO the anim will obey the PathLen value. Alternately, set the X value of the IPO to goto the last frame of the PathLen.
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I am having another problem with the Follow Path function. When I assign an object to the path it jumps to the start of the path at different coordinates than what the path is actually at. I have to move the path to get the child object in the position I want. I have changed many settings trying to fix this, but to no avail.
Have you tried changing the path’s center and the object’s center with the “Center New” button?
I am so sorry, master Fligh, but it doesn’t for me anymore. it used to, but NOT having a speed curve, or deleting the curve, and changing Pathlen does not matter. The motion still happens over 100 frames, even if I change pathlen to 5. 2.43 SSE2
http://uploader.polorix.net//files/111/PathLen.blend
Dear Master Roger, the one on the left is a Bezier, the one on the right a Path. In the IPO window select the CurveIpo and link it to any of the CurveCircles. With the Ipo the cube takes 100 frames and without it takes 5.
I am having another problem with the Follow Path function. When I assign an object to the path it jumps to the start of the path at different coordinates than what the path is actually at. I have to move the path to get the child object in the position I want. I have changed many settings trying to fix this, but to no avail.
Parent with Shft-Ctrl-P instead of Ctrl-P, or select the follower object and Alt-P >> Clear Parent Inverse, or select the follower object and Alt-O >> Clear Origin.
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If you guys are enjoying all of this just wait till you find yourselves in a situation where your object follows the path…in the wrong direction no mater what you try: flipping the path in 3D space, redrawing it, blah, blah, blah. In that case you have no choice other than to reverse the speed of the path. It’s even more fun when you have to time this backward process to coincide with camera moves or other objects in your scene.
Ah Master Fligh, you have caused me to reach deep into my suppressed memories, in order to reaquaint me with the old ways, the true ways, the ways which still work. But this troubles me, master. Am I to teach the new ways to my padawans, namely the Follow Path Constraint to Cube/Cube.001, instead of the old way of parenting? How am I to choose? And not to appear lazy, master, but geez editing the wiki is wanting…
In that case you have no choice other than to reverse the speed of the path.
In Edit mode on the Path Object W >> Switch Direction ?
My dear Master Roger, it is with a great sensce of relief that as I type these fewe werds from the Provinces that I was abel to chalenje the men to take upon themselves your sujestions on modernity. I can humbly reporte that aft somme sharpe noks on the butterns (and somme on the buttox) the results were in my estimation the same. I enclose herewithe a smalle skech of the results:
http://uploader.polorix.net//files/111/FollowPath2.blend
Regards to Mother, yours,
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Master Fligh, my Mother is well, thank you and at this very moment taking in the sun of the south, as is her want. Further North, however, I regret to beseech thee once again, this time to examine my humble example which fails me, leaving me speechless in thy presence. My cube, a humble and trivial copy of thine own, fails to complete its appointed rounds in the time allotted, without any speed coaxing on my part. It’s path is straight, so as not to be confused, but as I adjust its length, it fails to speed up or slow down, like a stubborn donkey, unyielding to the threats and coaxes of its master. Possibly I did an Add->Curve->Path??? I am mystified, and call upon thy Wizardry of the Arts. My best to your offspring, should you have any, for they should be proud to call you Father.
<3
http://uploader.polorix.net//files/152/blender/FollowPath3.blend
Tis neither offspring nor wizzardry that sustains a man but a fine warm wench tween the sheets. Perhaps you could send me a pair of them on the next ship? Be sure to wrap them tight and bind them firm with the Speed Ipo you will find hidden on the Path within the IPO window, a copy of which you so generously provided.
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And thus we are haff come full circle to the original question: with my simplest of straight paths, naught for closure, is thus your finding that pathlen is ignored without the speed IPO curve, and remains at 100 frames even though you changed the face of the Pathlen numeric input? I have only one wench, I regret to say, and her teeth are bad. While fair of face, she is heft of girth and loud of mouth. I thus will take great joy in binding her in stout canvas (for she is a fiesty one at that) and send her to you forthwith, gladly. Thus with your reply I will be freed to search out a new wench for my sheets, possibly two as you thus suggest in your wisdom, which I must say piques my interest anew. I am anxiously at your service (without Speed).
Would it also be your guidance when writing to my Padawans, that I profer two methods of Following a Path: one the old ways, the true ways, the ones that work; and then second the Constraint method that work, and then bind in the Speed curve? I am somewhat at a loss as to how to portray the subject from a User Manual/Learning perspective.
Nay, Master Roger, of wenches we have sufficient unto our needs, it is sheets I implore you to dispatch, well bound to keep the moulde and vermin at bay! This brings to mind old Miss Higgerty’s sage advice “If you brother is too mingy to give two sheets, never let him choose your wenches!”
When you add a Path Object (as opposed to a Curve Object) a Speed IPO is automatically linked. If you unlink that IPO then the PathLen value is respected. It’s like this; if you set the PathLen to 5 it takes 5 frames to go from start to finish, but if there is a Speed IPO that says go from 0 (start) to 1(end) in 100 frames then it goes from frame 1 to 5 in 100 frames.
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Most Honorable Master Fligh:
You insistence upon this matter is respected, and your patience with my ignorance is much appreciated. I have indeed, in deference to your wizardry, re-re-re–inspected FollowPath3 and lo, much to my suprise, found hidden in the sheets of the Path IPO, a Speed path as you thus suggested, automatically spawned, which thus overrides the PathLen. Cute.
With my newfound illumination of knowledge, I am once again in your debt and your humble servant. Regarding your sheets: Cotton or Silk; which may be your desire? I am now daunted by the task of updating the wiki, and of unwrapping my wench from the canvas. Perhaps I may be honored to be graced by your prescence one day, meet our respective wenches, and embark upon much merriment. Shouldest thou ever venture south from your abode, you would be my most honored guest.
Sincerely
Roger Smurf
Yeah, that was one of my blah, blah, blahs… normally it works. I don’t know what the deal was in that particular case. Wish I still had the .blend for you to see but windoze went down HARD and even my guru buddy at Emory University’s tech support couldn’t do anything to get it back in shape.