Spline Follower
Updated: 4 Dec 2023
Translates a child object along an input spline.
Spline Follower
Method #
This node translates a child object along an input spline. The child may also optionally be rotated to point along the direction of the spline.
Parameters
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
Parameter Details Spline Time
The ratio along the spline the child nodes will have moved along, in relation to the “Spline Time Mode” dictated in the input spline. If set to “Knot”, the spline will move up by 1 per control point.
Rotation Follows Direction
Toggle whether the rotation of the objects on the spline follows the direction.
Rotation Look Ahead Time
How far ahead along the spline the child node’s rotation should be based on.
Follower Rotation - Heading
Control which axis of rotation are used in the rotation.
Follower Rotation - Pitch
Control which axis of rotation are used in the rotation.
Follower Rotation - Bank
Control which axis of rotation are used in the rotation.
Use Matrix Rotations
Generate the rotations via transform matrices. This may be more accurate as unlike the euler angle method it does not suffer from gimbal lock - but it is less controllable, as the rotation channels cannot be accessed or controlled separately in this mode.
Fix Heading Rotations
Solve flips in the heading direction as the object moves around the spline.
The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.
Parameter Details Duration
Control the duration of the node’s time segment.
- Composition Duration : Use the length of the composition for the node’s time segment duration.
- Custom : Set a custom duration for the node’s time segment.
Node Time
The custom start and end time for the node.
Duration (Timecode)
The length of the node’s time segment (in time).
Duration (Frames)
The length of the node’s time segment (in frames).
Time Segment Enabled
Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline.
Inputs
These properties control the core behaviours of the node.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Spline Time | The ratio along the spline the child nodes will have moved along, in relation to the “Spline Time Mode” dictated in the input spline. If set to “Knot”, the spline will move up by 1 per control point. |
| Rotation Follows Direction | Toggle whether the rotation of the objects on the spline follows the direction. |
| Rotation Look Ahead Time | How far ahead along the spline the child node’s rotation should be based on. |
| Follower Rotation - Heading | Control which axis of rotation are used in the rotation. |
| Follower Rotation - Pitch | Control which axis of rotation are used in the rotation. |
| Follower Rotation - Bank | Control which axis of rotation are used in the rotation. |
| Use Matrix Rotations | Generate the rotations via transform matrices. This may be more accurate as unlike the euler angle method it does not suffer from gimbal lock - but it is less controllable, as the rotation channels cannot be accessed or controlled separately in this mode. |
| Fix Heading Rotations | Solve flips in the heading direction as the object moves around the spline. |
The properties control the time at which the node is active. See Timeline for editing time segments.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Duration |
Control the duration of the node’s time segment.
|
| Node Time | The custom start and end time for the node. |
| Duration (Timecode) | The length of the node’s time segment (in time). |
| Duration (Frames) | The length of the node’s time segment (in frames). |
| Time Segment Enabled | Set whether the node’s time segment is enabled or not in the Timeline. |
| Name | Description | Typical Input |
|---|---|---|
| Spline Nodes | Source spline along which child objects will move along. | Spline |
| Transform Modifiers | Apply the transforms of another node to this node. | Null |
| Target Node | Modifiy the rotations of the node to always direct the z axis towards the input. | Null |
| Local Transform Override | Apply the transforms of another node to this node, relative to its parent. | Null |