Learn How to Use the SelfCAD Follow-Path Tool
The Follow Path Tool is a feature or functionality found in 3D modeling and animation software. It enables users to animate objects along an already set path in a 3D space. Designers, animators, and artists can use the tool to add dynamic and smooth motion to 3D objects, giving their designs life.
Follow-Path Tool operates when you have a target and the Path. A target object is an object which one makes copies that will be used and applied by following a certain path. This route could be a curve or a network of interconnected 3D points. The object is subsequently fastened to the path, and its motion is managed along the direction of the path.
3D designers and other artists, with the help of various tools, such as the pen tool, spline tool, or shape tool, can define or draw paths in a 3D space. It is possible to create complex shapes and trajectories using paths that are either linear, curved, or closed, depending on your preferences. One can always alter the paths' appearance by changing their color, thickness, or application of textures or materials, enabling the creation of artistic and aesthetically pleasing designs.
How Follow-Path Tool Works
The following is how the Follow-path tool works:
- Path Creation: Create or define the path that the target object will take as the first step. This path could be a curve or a network of interconnected 3D points. You can use several tools such as the pen, spline, and shape tools to draw or even create the path.
- Object Attachment: After creating the path, the next step is to attach the target object that should follow the path. This object can be any 3D object in the scene, including a model, character, camera, or other object. After that, the path is connected to the object.
- Animation Keyframes: Keyframes are set at various points along the path to regulate the object's position, orientation, and other properties. To set an object's motion during an animation, keyframes are significant.
- Path Following: The 3D object will move along the path during the animation playback, following the trajectory established by the path and keyframes. The object's position and orientation change as the animation progresses, giving the impression that it is moving.
Using Follow Path tool to Design the Laurel Wreath in SelfCAD
The laurel wreath is a symbol of victory, honor, and achievement from ancient Greece. It is a circular crown made from intertwined branches and leaves of the laurel (Laurus nobilis) tree. This section explains how to quickly create this Laurel Wreath with the help of SelfCAD's Follow Path tool.
How to Create a Wreath Using the Drawing Tools
In the 3D Shapes in the toolbar, select Torus and adjust the parameters.
When you finalize, this is how it will look like:
In the 3D Shapes, select a torus again the second time and customize it as follows:
Now we have two toruses:
In the toolbar, select the Stitch and Scoop tool > Union in order to combine the two tori and click finalize:
Click on the Wireframe button to set a rendering mode. Then activate the Edge selection and use it to select the highlighted region (yellow color). You can use marquee selection as well.
Note:
The stitch and scoop formed the triangle and it takes time to select all the edges. In such cases, you can convert them back to quads by setting Resolution to zero, and this will make it easy to select the edges.
After selecting the highlighted region, click copy, and this forms Profile 1, which will act as a guide.
Click on Solid to set on rendering mode and activate the object selection mode. Select the highlighted region.
How to Use Symmetry in Drawing
In the Drawing category, activate the Free Hand tool and choose Spline. Set the parameter Smoothness to 10:
Click on the point and type in the value to 3. Click again to draw the spline. Repeat again and set the measurement to 3 and click again to draw the spline until you form the spline shown below:
Click on finalize, and then using the Scale tool, adjust it as shown below:
Using the 3D Mirror Tool
From the toolbar, on the Utilities category, select Mirror and activate the Create a copy option then you will have a copy of the drawing as shown below:
On the parameters, set the Offset to 1, and this creates the distance between the two drawings:
Select the two objects (Drawings), and in the Utilities category in the toolbar, select the Combine tool. Use the Merge option and then finalize:
Select Rotate tool in the toolbar and set Y to 90.
How to Position objects using the Follow Path tool
Now up to this far, we have the original section, the big solid, Union 1. We also have profile 1, the guide, and finally, the object, drawing 1, which will be copied along the path. In normal circumstances, the software assumes that the first selected object is the target and the second selected object is the path. Select the object (drawing 1) and also profile 1. From the tools category, select the Follow-Path tool. Set the parameters as shown below:
Click finalize. On the toolbar, select the Scale tool. Set Y to 2.
Use the Move Tool to move the object as shown below:
Select mesh 3 and use the Move tool to move the object by setting parameters X to 19, Z to -35 and click on ‘X’ to update the transformation.
After finalizing it, this is how it looks like:
Using the Cube Selection Tool to Remove a Section
Activate the Cube Selection, which is found on the right side:
Set back as 16 and finalize:
Simply click on Delete:
You are simply left with the below object:
In the next step, select Drawing 1 and Profile 1, then hit the delete button to delete:
Select all the objects and on the toolbar choose the Stitch and Scoop tool> Union to combine them.
Finalize it, and this is how it will look like:
Using the Mirror Tool to Finalize the Shape
On the toolbar, select the Utilities category. Choose the Mirror tool, and activate the Create a copy option. Set direction to Left and Offset to -10.
Combining all With Stitch and Scoop Union Tool
Click on Union 2 to select both of them. Then activate Stitch and Scoop tool > Union and combine them. Then finalize it:
There you go:
Coloring the Shape
Click on the pick Color on the right side panel.
Pick on the color and finalize it.
There you go. That is how to use Follow Path tool to create a Laurel Wreath in SelfCAD.
Application of Follow-Path Tool
The Follow Path Tool is used in many businesses and artistic disciplines. It is a useful tool in the following contexts due to its adaptability and capacity to animate 3D objects along the set paths:
- 3D Animation and VFX: The Follow Path Tool is used in 3D animation and visual effects production to animate objects, creatures, and characters along predetermined paths. It enables animators to design controlled and smooth movements for different scene components, enhancing the narrative and visually appealing.
- Motion graphics: To animate text, logos, and graphical elements along personalized paths, motion graphics artists use the Follow Path Tool. With the help of this tool, motion graphics sequences for commercials, presentations, and video intros can be made that are dynamic and captivating.
- Educational Content: The Follow Path Tool is used to animate educational models that illustrate scientific ideas, biological processes, or historical events in the creation of educational content.
- Multimedia Presentations: The Follow Path Tool is used to add motion and dynamism to visual elements, such as charts, graphs, and diagrams, to increase the impact of the presentation.
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