6.1.1 Move Object along a Path

Let's create a simple logo text which moves along a path.

1. Create one level object called "Logo" by selecting the menu Create/ Structure/Level and renaming it with the function Modify/Properties/ Name.

2. Create four 3D characters under "Logo" level using the function Create/Visibles/Polyhedron.

3. Create one method object at the same level with "Logo" object: select the menu Create/Structure/Method, select PATH and click OK. Rename your object as "Mover" so you can easily recognize it later.

4. Create one closed curve (e.g. Controls/B-Spline Closed) under the method object. This curve defines the path for the logo.

Your animation is now ready, as far as REAL 3D is concerned. In order to play it, select the menu Animate/Control/Play_Forwards and you will see how your 3D logo text follows the path.

Lets go through the terminology used in this example. Make sure you fully understand the following description because we will use these terms throughout this section.

- Objects to be animated are called "target" objects. They can be all kinds of objects like primitives, light sources, textures or perhaps other animated hierarchical objects.

- A "Method" object modifies "target" objects so that the result is an animation.

- The curve inside the method object is called a "parameter" object. Method objects use "parameter" objects to decide how to animate targets (in this case, what kind of path the logo text should follow). A parameter object can be any "evaluable" object like a polygonal line, circle or even a freeform mesh.

In other words, "method" objects modify "target" objects according to the "parameters" of "methods".