xpPathData

This tag is used in conjunction with the xpFollowPath modifier.

It enables you to set different parameters for one or more of the path objects, if you need different settings for a particular object.

The tag is not required for routine use of the xpFollowPath modifier, only if you need a different setting for an object.

Tag Properties

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xpPathData menu settings.

Strength

This value controls how sharply the particle will turn to head for the object the tag is applied to.

If it is too low, the particle may not reach the object in time, in which case it will circle back to try again.

This setting is used if, in the xpFollowPath modifier, the Get AOT From parameter is set to Tag.

Speed

The speed with which the particle will move to the object the tag is applied to.

This setting is used if, in the xFollowPath modifier, the Speed Mode parameter is set to Get Speed From Tag or Increment Speed From Tag.

Adjust Speed by Distance

When the particle stream turns to point to the next path object, they will all move at the same speed but particles on the outside of the curve will take longer to get there than those on the inside.

Checking this box will reduce that discrepancy by adjusting the speed to take account of the distance to be traveled.

This setting is used if, in the xpFollowPath modifier, the Speed Mode parameter is set to Get Speed From Tag or Increment Speed From Tag.

Force Recalculate

When a particle stream moves from one path object to another, the xpFollowPath modifier tries to send each particle to the same relative position in the next object, to avoid excessive distortion of the particle stream.

In many cases this works very well but, if the next path object is very different in shape or size from the previous one, it may not be so successful.

If that happens, add this tag to the next object and check Force Recalculate.

This will force the modifier to find a new position in the next path object, but at the cost of some twisting to the particle stream.