Snapping Camera Alignment To A Motion Path - Not Viable

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Level 1

10 points

Snapping Camera Alignment To A Motion Path - Not Viable

With some difficulty I managed to get a camera to follow and align to a 3D Motion Path using the 'Motion Path' and 'Snap Alignment To Motion' behaviours on a camera's parent group ( it doesn't work when these behaviours are assigned to the Camera Layer). Unfortunately when the Snap Alignment behaviour is in play the camera movements become unuseably jerky - even with a RAM preview, a MacStudio and a motion project containing one object. This means the only way to create a 'fly through' on a 3D curve is through a very tedious key framing process.

Anyone else found this issue?

Mac Studio, macOS 14.6

Posted on Aug 31, 2024 1:12 AM

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Answer 1

fox_m

Level 6

12,505 points

Aug 31, 2024 9:59 AM in response to Patto

Do you still have the same problem if you turn off Overlays?

Regular canvas overlays can by toggled with ⌘/ (command-slash) and 3D Overlays can be toggled with ⌘⌥/ (command-option-slash).

If you still have problems, we need more details like: what's the shape of the Motion Path and its orientation. Does the camera have to change its angle of view? What is it flying through? etc.

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Answer 2

Patto Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 1, 2024 12:32 AM in response to fox_m

Turning off overlaps makes no difference. I've also noticed that the length of the project makes a difference. If I create a 10s or less project the issue doesn't occur. If I create a 30s project or lengthen an existing 10s project - the issue appears.

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Answer 3

Patto Author

Level 1

10 points

Sep 1, 2024 4:46 AM in response to Patto

Actually - I think this behaviour is happening regardless of the project length - it's just that it becomes more obvious the longer the project. with a short 10s project you might not notice that there is a problem.

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Answer 4

fox_m

Level 6

12,505 points

Sep 1, 2024 5:03 PM in response to Patto

I think you're right. Although you didn't provide any details, I did a lot of experimenting with it and I can't get it to behave. Although I don't get a lot of "jerky" movements out of it that you refer to, I get bizarre "flips" (the "target" turns upside down) and "snap backs" (probably related to the flipping effect) when going through simple curves regarless of the parameters I apply. [I'm still in 5.4.7 so Apple *might be* trying to improve its behavior if you don't experience the same things I am.]

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