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J
JoshSt
Participating Frequently
June 12, 2023
Question

Follow path horizontally centered

  • June 12, 2023
  • 4 replies
  • 1674 views

Hello,

Is there a way to horizontally center the circle in the composition while following the path?

Right now the speed of the circle is not aligned with the scroll because the path is not linear (video attached)

Thanks in advance

-Josh

    This topic has been closed for replies.

    4 replies

    C
    Christian Lengger
    Inspiring
    June 13, 2023

    Just an idea: does the circle and line align when you use linear keyframes? You could then precomp the animation and apply time remap with the desired easing.

    J
    JoshStAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    June 13, 2023

    Hey Christian, sadly no, it still doesn't line up 😞

    Mathias Moehl
    Community Expert
    Mathias MoehlCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 13, 2023

    Oh, yes, that's a tricky problem. If you separate dimensions, it will most likely change the motion path (probably already in the moment you separate, but if not then definitely when you start changing the easing of x or y independently).

    If the scrolling animation is linear, your goal should be to change the easing such that the value graph for X becomes a straight line, however, it will probably be very tricky to eyeball that. You would need to link the speed of the circle to the slope of the curve, somehow. The steeper it is, the faster it needs to move.

    Mathias Möhl - Developer of tools like BeatEdit and Automation Blocks for Premiere Pro and After Effects
    J
    JoshStAuthor
    Participating Frequently
    June 13, 2023

    thank you for your answer, do you know a way to link the speed to the slope of the curve?

    Mathias Moehl
    Community Expert
    Mathias MoehlCommunity Expert
    Community Expert
    June 13, 2023

    No, unfortunately not.

    Mathias Möhl - Developer of tools like BeatEdit and Automation Blocks for Premiere Pro and After Effects
      Dan Ebberts
      Community Expert
      Dan EbbertsCommunity Expert
      Community Expert
      June 13, 2023

      How are you tracking the path?

        J
        JoshStAuthor
        Participating Frequently
        June 13, 2023

        I copied the path from the line and pasted it in the position of the circle. 

        Dan Ebberts
        Community Expert
        Dan EbbertsCommunity Expert
        Community Expert
        June 13, 2023

        Try this position expression developed by Filip Vandueren:

        t1= key(1).time;
t2= key(numKeys).time;

x1=key(1).value[0];
x2=key(numKeys).value[0];

linear_x=linear(time, t1, t2, x1, x2);

precision = 3; // make this higher (16) if you need Motion blur
fd = thisComp.frameDuration/precision;

y=key(1).value[1];

for (t=t1; !(t>t2); t+=fd) {
	v=valueAtTime(t);
	if (v[0]>=linear_x) {
		y=v[1]; 
		break;
	}
}

[linear_x,y];
          B
          bretonb80955479
          Participating Frequently
          June 13, 2023

          Looks like you just need to apply the same easing values to your circle as you have on the scroll. And also same keyframe start/end time (which I think you already have)

           

          Note: you could also play "seperate dimensions" on your circle position, but matching easing values seems easier.

          J
          JoshStAuthor
          Participating Frequently
          June 13, 2023

          Hey thx for your answer.

          The problem I have with the easing that the altitude of the path makes it way different than the linear scrolling animation because the circle has to move futher. I can't think of a way to match the easing like that. If you know a solution for that I'd love to hear it. 

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