jdGeoFlow

A procedural tool, offering flowing animation path options, using geometry or scene objects.

jdGeoFlow.

Object tab

jdGeoFlow Object tab.

Auto Time

Allows you to choose whether to automatically discern the start and end time from the project timeline.

When disabled, you can enter the times manually in the Start Time and End Time parameters, accessed via the drop-down arrow.

Start Time, End Time

Specifies a start and end time for the motion.

Mode

Set to Connect Points, by default, which uses the FlowPoints to define the motion.

The alternative setting is Path, which uses a preset spline for the motion.

When Path is selected, a Path tab becomes available, with options to define how the path is used (described below).

jdGeoFlow Modes.

Objects

Drag and drop objects into this field for jdGeoFlow to use.

Add FlowPoint

Click to add FlowPoints to your scene.

FlowPoints

Here, the FlowPoints in the list can be seen and selected to change their values.

The green check mark next to each FlowPoint can be disabled to remove it from the Track interface.

jdGeoFlow FlowPoints list and Object Manager.

Track

The Track interface lets the user slide FlowPoints back and forth along the timeline by adjusting the weights of the surrounding FlowPoints.

Pink lines – unselected FlowPoints White line – current frame marker Green line – selected FlowPoint.

Blue shaded area – Hold Time around a CamPoint.

jdGeoFlow Track View.

Main tab

The main settings that affect the overall behavior of the camera.

Deform

Enable this, to allow the scene object to deform to the path set.

Strength

Sets the strength of the deformation.

jdGeoFlow Deform option enabled.

Easing

Manipulate this spline curve to set how the object’s speed will change throughout the whole path.

Loop Mode

Loop Mode options for what happens at the end of the path: Stop, Loop, Ping-Pong and Continue.

jdGeoFlow Loop Modes.

Animations of the Loop Modes.

Cycles

Sets how many times the selected mode will run.

FlowPoint tab

FlowPoint tab menu settings.

Weight

Sets how much weight the selected FlowPoint should have.

More weight will give it more time on the track and other FlowPoints will be re-timed to accommodate.

Tension

Sets how sharply the path will bend around this point.

100% means the path will take a very sharp corner at the given point.

Slide

A second way to adjust the position on the track, without changing any weights.

Ease

Sets how the speed will change as it nears the FlowPoint.

At 0 (zero), there will be no change of speed as it passes through.

At 100%, the speed will slow down as it reaches the FlowPoint, then speed up again afterwards.

Hold Time

Sets how long the pause will be at the given FlowPoint.

Spring

Sets how much ‘springiness’ there should be as it reaches this FlowPoint.

Damping

Increase this to reduce the number of oscillations after springing.

Orientation tab

Orientation tab menu settings.

Up Vector

Sets the up vector used in spline normal calculations.

Set as +Y (World), by default, this can usually be left alone but the usual options are available.

Axis Align

Allows for aligning the axis to the usual options.

Axis Align set to +Z .

Motion tab

Enable Motion

Enables a sine-based motion throughout the camera’s path.

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Motion tab settings.

Position

Amplitude

The maximum distance at which the camera should oscillate around its ideal position.

Frequency

The frequency of the sine wave (Hz).

Rotation

Amplitude

The maximum angles at which the camera should oscillate around its ideal rotation.

Frequency

The frequency of the sine wave (Hz).

Banking tab

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Banking tab settings menu.

Auto Banking

Enable auto banking.

This will roll the camera left or right based on its horizontal rotation speed.

Min, Max

The angle limits for the banking roll.

Sensitivity

Sets how much the camera’s horizontal rotation speed will affect the roll angle.

Easing

Defines how much the angle changes as speed increases.