5.5

309Motion User Guide
• Geometry: A path based on a shape or mask. The object travels along the edge of
the shape or mask. In the following image, the outline of the shape on the left is
used as the motion path in the composition shown on the right.
Note: The Path Shape parameters work similarly to text on a path. For more
information about working with text on a path, see Create text on a path in Motion.
• Shape Type: A pop-up menu (available when Path Shape is set to Open Spline or Closed
Spline) that sets how the path is manipulated, using Bezier or B-Spline control points.
• Bezier: Lets you manipulate the path manually by dragging Bezier handles.
Note: For more information about creating and adjusting Bezier curves, see Edit
Bezier control points in Motion.
• B-Spline: Lets you manipulate the path by dragging B-Spline control points. The
points themselves do not lie on the surface of the shape. Instead, each B-Spline
control point is offset from the shape’s surface, “magnetically” pulling that section
of the shape toward itself to create a curve. B-Splines are extremely smooth—by
default, there are no sharp angles in B-Spline shapes, although you can create
sharper curves, if necessary.
Note: For more information about working with B-Spline curves, see Edit B-Spline
control points in Motion.
• Radius: A slider (available when Circle is the defined path shape) that sets the size
of the circular path. Click the disclosure triangle to adjust the X radius and Y radius
independently.
Note: When the Motion Path behavior is selected, you can also drag the onscreen
control points to resize the circle. Press Shift while dragging to resize the X and Y
radii uniformly.
• Size: A slider (available when Rectangle is the defined path shape) that modifies the
size of the rectangular path. Click the disclosure triangle to adjust the X scale and Y
scale independently.
Note: When the Motion Path behavior is selected, you can also drag the onscreen
control points to resize the rectangle. Press Shift while dragging to resize the X and Y
scales uniformly.
• Offset: A slider (available when Circle, Rectangle, or Geometry is the defined path
shape) that sets where the object starts moving on the path.
• End Point: Value sliders (available when Wave is the defined path shape) that set the
location of two default points on the wave’s path. The end points can also be adjusted
using the wave’s onscreen controls (active by default when the Motion Path behavior is
selected). Moving the left end point moves the entire path; moving the right end point
lengthens, shortens, or angles the path.