Follow Curve

[hayasidist]

This tool is similar to the Follow Path function. The main difference is that it uses the control points in the “path to follow” as timing points.
You select a shape (or some points) on the active layer, then pick any path on any layer (the active layer or not), and the selected shape will be translated along the path that was picked. Each segment on the path takes the same number of frames (you can choose what this number is), no matter how far apart the points are.. so with two points a long way apart the shape goes quickly between them; and with two points very close together the shape will go very slowly...


zip file containing: readme, icon, cursor and script is here: https://www.mediafire.com/?b4jddkukv28168j

[jahnocli]

This looks to be very useful! Thanks for posting...and what is so special about the number 26?

[hayasidist]

...what is so special about the number 26?

it's a long story ... and I'm keeping the film rights

[hayasidist]

more about this here: http://www.kelleytown.com/forum/animato ... IC_ID=3186
but the download is here: http://www.mediafire.com/download/u7649 ... e_V510.zip

[hayasidist]

http://www.mediafire.com/file/k0d5tdydz ... 20V520.zip

there are no changes to the core functionality -- just an update to use the Moho 12 UI. This new version will not work with AS11 or earlier versions - but the previous versions are still there for download.

Bug reports / enhancement requests always welcome.

[EHEBrandon]

http://www.mediafire.com/file/k0d5tdydz ... 20V520.zip

there are no changes to the core functionality -- just an update to use the Moho 12 UI. This new version will not work with AS11 or earlier versions - but the previous versions are still there for download.

Bug reports / enhancement requests always welcome.

I just had a crazy idea to expand on this concept a tad bit whether it'd be possible I don't know. Anyways what if you could use a vector line for rigging so it has the appearance of Harmony to where the bone paths look like vector points but instead of changing the bones and the way they look why not just bind the vector objects to vectors if that makes sense lol.

[hayasidist]

I just had a crazy idea to expand on this concept a tad bit whether it'd be possible I don't know. Anyways what if you could use a vector line for rigging so it has the appearance of Harmony to where the bone paths look like vector points but instead of changing the bones and the way they look why not just bind the vector objects to vectors if that makes sense lol.

yes - see what you mean -- you can just about do that now with the tool as it is. e.g. define point groups and in a number of separate passes generate the keys for those point groups moving with the animated path (you can animate the "path to follow" - the follow function will use the path's position at the frame it generates keys for the following items).

but a core issue is that this tool is a "baked keys" tool -- if you change the controlling path after you've run this tool, the keyed items stay where they were put. It is _feasible_ to make this dynamic, and to preserve some association of target point with controlling point, but that's a major re-engineering exercise.


I had actually been contemplating something functionally similar: draw a path then run a tool that starts from the first drawn point to add bones that span (obviously straight line) the (curved) gaps between points - pivot on the low numbered one, tip on the higher numbered - then move the bones in response to the point motion (similar in concept to this viewtopic.php?f=13&t=31302&p=178053&#p178053 but using a point rather than a target bone in a separate layer)

there's also the possibility for a variant on the add/sketch bones tools that draws a path over the bones ... and then you could move the path to control the bones as above ...

But up to now I've never really found a compelling reason to do either ...

[nikokelli]

Is a similar mode possible for the stroke exposure tool? I mean having the exposure based on the strokes points and being immune to any changes of the shape?

[hayasidist]

you mean stroke exposure was by absolute length, not percentage?

i.e. a curve that is 1 unit long that is 50% exposed gets 0.5 unit exposed; and if that curve then became 2 units long it would still only have 0.5 unit exposed?

[synthsin75]

It already does that, as stroke exposure is by percent of whole curve.

[hayasidist]

It already does that, as stroke exposure is by percent of whole curve.

yeah - that's what it seems that the OP _doesn't_ want -- not percent of whole curve but to/from a given place no matter how long the curve is (so, e.g., if the curve doubles in length then 50% needs to change to 25%)?

[nikokelli]

Yes what I was thinking is the exposure targeting points in the line and stay put when it reaches them. Which means I suppose that you would be able to keyframe only at these points...
I don't know anything about scripting, but now that I am describing it it does not sound very possible...

Or maybe operate on absolute length? That sounds a little bit more possible...?

In any case I am not sure how necessary it is anyway. I mean I was thinking about it in relation with rigging. In shoulder areas for example, I sometimes use stroke exposure to determine how much of the arm's stroke is visible over the body as they overlap. Changing the shape of the shoulder though, as the arm rotates, affects the exposure and creates conflicts that in some cases lead to jittery animation. But I am thinking now that maybe the best way to "pin" that and have more control over it is to use an extra two point line segment instead of using the actual stroke of the arm. Its not applying in every design though.

Anyways thank you guys for your responses, and by the way, thank you for your overall contribution to this forum. You and the other "Gurus" here , have been essential in my effort to explore the full possibilities of moho, for the last year or so. I am really grateful for this forum!
Cheers!

[hayasidist]

what I do in similar situations is add a few extra points in the curves, and use hidden segments rather than an "extra two point line segment "

[lucasfranca]

I read all the instructions and it seemed a little complex. I was able to use it in a basic way. Is there a video showing use?

[hayasidist]

I read all the instructions and it seemed a little complex. I was able to use it in a basic way. Is there a video showing use?

gosh - I missed this script's 10th birthday!

straight answer - no - no video.

I'll stick it on the list of "tools to update" - and that'll include a better guide, but don't hold your breath. Hopefully first half of 2025...

[edit] just seen comments on discord about interpolation modes .. I'll aim to include something relevant