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    Handles for motion paths?

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    • fordmar
      fordmar last edited by

      I want to make a motion path to form a smooth curve, and found a method that sorta works: Select one parameter of a keyframe (such as the X position) and in the keyframe attributes, click off "Auto Tangent." Handles then appear that will bend the path like a spline. Magical! Only it doesn't work every time or for every keyframe 😞

      In the attached sample project, I set up two objects - one has handles, the other doesn't. As far as I can tell, I'm following the exact same procedure on each, but for some reason I was only able to create handles once. Toggling auto tangents on and off doesn't seem to do anything either.

      This smacks me as a classic missing tick box - somewhere along the line I'm missing a critical parameter setting.

      I'm a little unnerved by the inconsistency - I'm about to launch a big project which will require this kind of control throughout and if it starts glitching out halfway through, I'll be stuck.

      My fallback is align to spline, but modifying the keyframes directly seems a simpler approach - if I can get it to work.

      Thanks
      Motion Path Handles.c4d

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      • Dr. Sassi
        Dr. Sassi last edited by Dr. Sassi

        Hi fordmar,

        Thanks for the file.

        As far as I can see, each path is set up by a different Attribute Manager> Tangent Preset.
        If that is set, for example, to Auto Tangent, then you get no handles.

        https://help.maxon.net/c4d/2024/en-us/Default.htm#html/CKVALUE-ID_VKEY_PROPERTIES.html#ID_CKEY_PRESET

        While in the timeline, you can select a keyframe and use the T~1 to T~9, and I or O, shortcuts, see image.

        Screen Shot 2024-01-25 at 10.16.57 PM.png

        Instead of "Align to Spline," explore the "Spline to Position Track" as an alternative, which works in both ways: "Position Track to Spline."
        https://help.maxon.net/c4d/2024/en-us/Default.htm#html/10622.html#PLUGIN_CMD_465001063

        My best wishes

        Dr. Sassi Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
        Senior Trainer, Maxon Master Trainer, L&D - Strategist
        Cinema 4D mentor since 2004, Member of VES, DCS.

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        • fordmar
          fordmar last edited by

          Viewport.png

          I guess I'm not getting it. I have seen tutorials where the motion path can be manipulated in the viewport with handles like a spline. In my case, I can get handles on one keyframe but not on the other, even though they tangent settings are the same.

          I may be overthinking it - the requirement is a smooth curve, and I can manipulate the keyframes in the timeline well enough to get what I need. It just seems more direct to be able to do it in the viewport.

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          • Dr. Sassi
            Dr. Sassi last edited by Dr. Sassi

            Hi fordmar,

            Please have a look at the file below, based on the file you shared:

            CV4_2024_drs_24_ANph_01.c4d

            There are no handles when the Auto options are on, and if the Tangents are set to zero, there are also no handles.
            Screen Shot 2024-01-26 at 9.40.20 AM.png

            All the best

            Dr. Sassi Sassmannshausen Ph.D.
            Senior Trainer, Maxon Master Trainer, L&D - Strategist
            Cinema 4D mentor since 2004, Member of VES, DCS.

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