In Maya, when you create motion paths using curves, the default behavior is to create smooth curves. However, if you want to create motion paths with corner points instead of smooth curves, you can achieve this by changing the interpolation type of the curve. Here's how you can do it:
Create the Motion Path Curve: First, create the motion path curve as you normally would by animating the object along a path using the "Motion Path" tool.
Convert to Editable Curve: After creating the motion path, select the curve and go to Modify > Convert > Motion Paths > To Geometry. This will convert the motion path to an editable curve.
Change Interpolation Type: With the curve selected, open the Attribute Editor (Ctrl+A) or Channel Box/Layer Editor (Ctrl+Shift+A) and navigate to the curve's shape node attributes. Look for the "Interpolation" attribute under the "Curve Shape" section.
Set Interpolation to "Linear": By default, the interpolation type is set to "Smooth". Change it to "Linear" to create corner points instead of smooth curves. You can also select specific points on the curve and set their interpolation type individually if needed.
Adjust Handles: After changing the interpolation type to "Linear", you may need to adjust the handles of the curve to fine-tune the shape of the motion path.
By following these steps, you can create motion paths with corner points instead of smooth curves in Maya. This allows for more precise control over the motion path's shape and can be useful for certain animation tasks.
