An animation constraint is a special type of controller that can help you automate the animation process. You can use constraints to control an object’s position, rotation, or scale through a binding relationship with another object.
A constraint requires an animated object and at least one target object. The target imposes specific animation limits on the constrained object.
For example, to quickly animate an airplane flying along a predefined path, you can use a Path constraint to restrict the airplane’s motion to a spline.
You can use keyframe animation to toggle the constraint’s binding relationship with its targets over a period of time.
Common uses for constraints include:
There are seven types of constraints:
Attachment constraint attaches an object’s position to a face on another object
Surface constraint restricts an object’s position along the surface of another object
Path constraint restricts an object’s movement along a path
Position constraint causes the constrained object to follow the position of another object
Link constraint links the constrained object from one object to another
LookAt constraint constrains an object’s orientation so that it’s always looking at another object
Orientation constraint causes the rotation of the constrained object to follow the rotation of another object
Tip: You can use Schematic View to see all the Constraint relationships in a scene.