Enhancing Motion Path Functionality: Axis-Specific Orientation Control and Customization

[Artist157]

I've been working with the Motion Path tool in Maya and have encountered a few limitations that, if addressed, could significantly improve its functionality and flexibility, particularly when working with cameras.

Current Limitation: When using the Motion Path tool, it automatically controls the position and orientation (rotation) of the object along the path. While this is useful in many cases, there are scenarios—especially when working with a camera with aim—where you want to control the camera's position along the path while maintaining independent control over its orientation.

The camera with aim is designed to maintain focus on a specific target, but when attached directly to a Motion Path, the tool overrides its rotation, forcing the camera to align with the path’s orientation rather than allowing it to keep its aim on the intended target.

To work around this, I've been using a locator as an intermediary:

1. The locator is attached to the Motion Path.
2. The camera is then point constrained to the locator, allowing the camera to move along the path while still maintaining its aim on the target.

However, this workaround is cumbersome and feels unnecessary. The Motion Path tool should offer more flexibility in controlling an object's orientation without requiring extra nodes like locators.

Proposed Enhancements:

1. Orientation Control Toggle: The Motion Path tool should include an option that allows users to enable or disable the tool’s control over an object's orientation. This would streamline the process and eliminate the need for additional elements like locators, particularly when working with cameras that need to maintain a specific aim.

2. Axis-Specific Orientation Control: Beyond a simple on/off toggle, it would be highly beneficial to have finer control over which axes the motion path influences. For instance, individual toggles for the X, Y, and Z axes would allow users to decide which axes should be controlled by the motion path and which should remain independent. This would offer much more nuanced control, enabling an object to follow the path in position while allowing the user-defined orientation behavior to remain unaffected.

These enhancements would provide greater flexibility and precision, especially in complex animation setups where control over an object's rotation is as crucial as its position.

Conclusion: I believe that implementing these features could greatly enhance the usability of the Motion Path tool for a wide range of users, particularly those working with cameras and other orientation-sensitive objects.

[mcw0 · Accepted solution]

Check out the "follow" option of the motion path.  It's what you want.  Just uncheck it to disable auto-orientation.

[stephenkmann]

With motion paths and constraints you can always over key the connections. and it builds a "blend" channel. so you can easily blend between keyed or constrained.

The motion Path itself has front twist. up twist and side twist channels that all the animator to add all sorts of offset animation to the existing motion path

hth

-=s