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Note: To show or hide the motion path, choose Show Overlays from the View pop-up
menu in the status bar. (The Animation Path option shows and hides the animation paths
of other behaviors.)
When you play the project, the object moves along the assigned path. The speed at which
the target object travels is defined by the duration of the behavior. Speed is also affected
by the Speed parameter, which lets you modify the object’s velocity—adding acceleration
and deceleration at the beginning and end of the behavior, for example. You can also
create a custom preset defining how the object travels along the path.
Note: When you switch between the Path Shape options, the Inspector and the HUD
display parameters specific to the selected option.
The Motion Path behavior is an easy way to create predictable motion without using the
Keyframe Editor. It’s also a great way to create reusable motion paths that you can save
in the Library for future use.
When the Motion Path behavior is added to an object, the Adjust Item tool is selected,
allowing you to modify the default path in the Canvas by adding points and using the
Bezier (or B-Spline) controls attached to each point to adjust each curve. You can also
move and resize preset motion path shapes, such as a rectangle or wave, in the Canvas.
Parameters in the Inspector
Path Shape: A pop-up menu that lets you define the shape of the path on which the
object travels.
• Open Spline: The default shape, a straight path defined by two points at the beginning
and end of the path. You can choose to work with Bezier or B-Spline control points.
Option-click (or double-click) anywhere on the path to add points.
• Closed Spline: A closed path in which the last point is in the same location as the first
point. You can choose to work with Bezier or B-Spline control points. Option-click (or
double-click) anywhere on the path to add points.
402 Chapter 9 Using Behaviors