Path_Constraint - superclass: PositionController; super-superclass:MAXWrapper - 12:0 - classID: #(8209, 0)
A path constraint restricts an object’s movement along a spline or at an averaged distance between multiple splines.
Constructor
Path_Constraint ...
path ...
Properties
<Path_Constraint>.percent Float default: 0.0 -- animatable; percentage
Sets the percent that the object is positioned along the path. This duplicates the Value spinner in the track Properties dialog for the Percent track in Track View. If you want to set keys to place an object at a certain percent along the path, turn on Animate, move to the frame where you want the key set, and adjust the % Along Path spinner to move the object.
<Path_Constraint>.follow Boolean default: false -- boolean
Aligns the object to the trajectory as it follows the contour.
<Path_Constraint>.path UndefinedClass default: undefined -- node; Path_Constraint
Add Path: is used to add a new spline path that influences the constrained object.
Delete path: is used to remove a path from the target list. Once removing the path target, it will no longer influence the constrained object
<Path_Constraint>.bank Boolean default: false -- boolean
Allows the object to bank (roll) as it negotiates the curves of the spline.
<Path_Constraint>.bankAmount Float default: 0.5 -- animatable; float; Bank_Amount
Adjusts the amount of the banking to one side or the other, depending on whether the value is positive or negative
<Path_Constraint>.smoothness Float default: 0.5 -- animatable; float
Controls how rapidly the roll angle changes as the object moves through bends in the trajectory. Smaller values will make the object more responsive to subtle changes in the curve, while larger values smooth out jerking. The default value is a good value for general damping along the curve. Values below 2 tend to make the action jerky, but values around 3 can be very useful for simulating a certain degree of realistic instability.
<Path_Constraint>.allowUpsideDown Boolean default: false -- boolean; Allow_Upside_Down
Turn on to avoid the situation in which an object flips when going around a vertically oriented path.
<Path_Constraint>.constantVel Boolean default: false -- boolean; Constant_Velocity
Provides a constant velocity along the path. When off, the velocity of the object along the path varies depending on the distance between the vertices on the path.
<Path_Constraint>.axis Integer default: 0 -- integer
Defines which axis of the object is aligned to the trajectory of the path.
<Path_Constraint>.axisFlip Boolean default: false -- boolean; Axis_Flip
Turn on to flip the direction of the axis
<Path_Constraint>.loop Boolean default: true -- boolean
If set to false, when the constrained object reaches the end of a path it can no longer move past the end point. When set to true, when the constrained object reaches the end of the path it loops back to the starting point.
<Path_Constraint>.relative Boolean default: false -- boolean
Turn on to maintain the original position of the constrained object. The object will follow the path with an offset distance based on its original world space position
Path_Constraint interfaces:
Interface: constraints
Methods
<integer>getNumTargets()
Returns the number of target nodes in the position target list.
<node>getNode <index>targetNumber
Gets the indexed node.
<float>getWeight <index>targetNumber
Gets the weight of one of the position nodes that the position constraint controller targets, specified by targetNumber, and time. Returns the position target weight if the targetNumber is relevant, 0.0f otherwise.
<boolean>setWeight <index>targetNumber <float>weight
Sets the weight of the indexed node specified by targetNumber. Returns True on success, False otherwise.
<boolean>appendTarget <node>target <float>weight
Appends the specified node to the list. The default weight is 50.0. Returns True on success, False otherwise.
<boolean>deleteTarget <index>targetNumber
Delete the indexed target. Returns True on success, False otherwise.
Path Target Object
A path target can be any type of Spline. The spline curve (target) defines a path of motion for the constrained object. Targets can be animated using any of the standard translation, rotation, scale tools. Setting keys on the path's sub object level, such as vertex, or segment will animate the path while effecting the constrained object.
See also
Link_Constraint : Matrix3Controller
LookAt_Constraint : RotationController
Position_Constraint : PositionController
Orientation_Constraint : RotationController
Controller Functions for Use with Constraint Assignments