5

• Spring
• Vortex
• Wind
Align To Motion
The Align To Motion behavior changes the rotation of an object to match changes made
to its direction along an animation path. This behavior is meant to be combined with
Simulation behaviors that animate the position of an object or with a keyframed animation
path you create yourself.
Note: The Align to Motion behavior does not work on objects animated using the Motion
Path behavior. Instead, use the Snap Alignment to Motion behavior (in the Basic Motion
subcategory).
Before After using Align
to Motion
Unlike the Snap Alignment to Motion behavior, which produces absolute changes in
rotation that precisely match changes in direction, Align To Motion has a springy reaction
and creates a more lively effect.
In the above example, the fish travels along the keyframed animation path, but it isn’t
aligned to the animation path (notice the rotation handle). Using the Align To Motion
behavior, its angle of rotation moves so it points in the direction of the animation path.
By adjusting the Drag parameter, you can make it careen wildly about its anchor point
as it goes around curves in the animation path.
Parameters in the Inspector
Affect Subobjects: This parameter appears when this behavior is applied to an object
that contains multiple objects, such as a group, a particle emitter, a replicator, or a text
layer. When this checkbox is selected, all objects in the parent object are affected
individually. When this checkbox is deselected, all objects in the parent object are affected
by the behavior together.
Rotation Axis: A pop-up menu that lets you rotate the object around the X, Y, or Z axis.
You can also select All to rotate the object around all three axes. The default rotation axis
is Z.
453Chapter 9 Using Behaviors