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Script : See trajectory of objects and modify it.

 

You can download the script here (for 2.37) (old version) or here (for 2.41)

Situation :

You have an animation on one or more objects. 

What the script do?

- Show the trajectory of current selected object.
- An option : always show the trajectory of  objects selected when you launch the script.
- When trajectory become red (that correspond to an IpoKey), you can modify it. When it's blue you can't modify trajectory unless you add a IpoKey (IKey).
- Modify trajectory by clicking on handles.

How to use script :

1. Launch script with Alt+P (once the script is imported in Blender) or Put it in .blender/scripts/ folder and follow the instructions open it from the Scripts Window in animation section area (you can follow this instructions)
If you lauch again the script, it will propose you to modify seetings, to stop script or to do nothing.

2. Script ask you what type of linking mode you want :

Redraw :
Trajectories will be shown in each 3D areas.
Space Handler :
For each areas where you want the trajectory to be shown, you have to go in View menu (in the header of 3D area), in SpaceHandler, then clic on Trajectory.
Always show path for currently selected objects?
3. Then script ask you if you want that currently selected object have always its trajectory shown.

If you select Yes :
Trajectory of currently selected objects will be always drawn in 3DView (in addition of active object trajectory).
If you select No :
The script will only draw trajectory of objects that you select (and don't draw it when object isn't selected).
Always show path for currently selected objects?
4. Script ask you how many frames in the futur (origin at current frame) you want the trajectory represents.
and how many in past :
Futur PupUp Bouton
Then :
Past PupUp Bouton
5. Script ask you the width of trajectories drawn (in pixel): Trajectory width PupUp Bouton (1 is very thin and 4 very large)

>> The script is configured, now if you select an object that already have an IPO, its trajectory will be drawn.
If nothing is drawn, verify that scripts link are enable :

>> But this script allow to do another things !!!

* About modifications of trajectory :

1. There is some "handles" on trajectories. It stand for each IpoKey of location. (Colors of handles are darkest if its only a key on 1 or 2 axis)
2. If you left-clic on a handle of the trajectory, you can modifiy its position. (Note that Blender changes the frame during the moving)
3. If you right-clic on a point of the trajectory, you change the current frame to the frame that corresponds to this point (it doesn't work very well)
4. This handles disapears in Edit mode in order to made it easier to edit object and not trajectory.  

* About colors of trajectories :

1. In normal mode trajectory is blue (most dark in pas and lighten in futur).


 There is no keyframe : trajectory is blue




If you move your object, it doesn't change trajectory (you must insert a keyframe for be able to change trajectory or pass in AutoKeyFrame mode) :


If you move object nothing happens
But if current frame is a keyframe, trajectory becomes red, and you can modify trajectory. Script automaticly update ipo's curves.

There is a keyframe : trajectory is red and if you move object, trajectory follow object.

If there is only a key frame for 1 of 3 curves of location, trajectory is between red and blue (more red if there is a keyframe for 2 of 3 curves locations).
here if you move your object trajectory will follow only on X-axis

NOTE : If you want to modify trajectory when it is blue, just press I-Key >> loc.

The reason why script doesn't able to modify trajectory for each frame is that it would create too much keyframe and make trajectory difficult to modify.
So this is a solution of semi-autokeyframe.


 Known problems :

1. Doesn't use the script if you use curves paths (in follow mode) as parent or for objects with a Time Ipo curve. The trajectory won't be shown for this objects.

Future plans :
- Enable curve paths supports (waiting for API evolutions).
- Enable time IPO support.



Version history (most recent in first):

- Compatibility made with other redraw script (thanks to LOD)
- Protections against bad modification from a follow curve as parent and a Time ipo-curve.
- Add handles on trajectory to modify it (Left Mouse to modify trajectory and Right to go to key-frames) (idea of _Tibo_ & idea of Meltingman)
- Version for 3DHandlers (integrated to redraw version)
- Enable usage of  NewMap/OldMap options
- 2.40 compatibility.
- Enable parenting
- Enable to modify in real time if there is already an ipo (idea of Caronte)
- Trace trajectory
- Transform movement on path (idea of LOD), this script already exist and developped in another way : Mov2Path (see my scripts directory)

>> Many thanks to all that help and advise me for this script on Elysiun, Zoo-Logique & BlenderClan
>> Many thanks to Python API coders :)

For any problems or suggestion contact me : r3gis