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TfmNodePath

This node allows to load animation paths exported from blender.

The file is created inside Blender with the TfmPath-Exporter script.

TfmNodePath Node

Animate Along Predefined Paths

TfmNodePath enables path-based animation by loading curves exported from Blender. Objects can follow these paths using the playbar property, which represents the relative position along the path (0.0 = start, 1.0 = end). Combined with QueScript, you can create smooth, timeline-based motion along complex 3D curves.

Reference

The following properties can be configured for this node:

Property Type Description
drawto - set the render group. Capture/Beamer/3DViewer have an equivalent in which you can choose which group to render.
file - animation path file
fileWatch - reload animation path file if it was changes
segment - segment inside pathfile
closeSegment - force closing the segement if it has a gap between the first and the last vertice
playbar - relative position on path. Best animated with QueScript
parent - parent transformation node
position (local transformation) position x y z
rotation (local transformation) rotation x y z
scale (local transformation) scale x y z
object color - display color
Inlet Type Description
properties properties properties | use message [set <propertyPath> <value(s)>] (without node/<nodeName> at the beginning) to set internal properties
Outlet Type Description

Playbar Animation

Controlling Path Position

The playbar property controls where the transformation is positioned along the path:

Value Position
0.0 Start of path
0.5 Middle of path
1.0 End of path

Animate this value to move objects along the path. Values outside 0-1 may extend beyond the path endpoints depending on the path configuration.

Animating with QueScript

Path Animation Workflow

Use QueScript to animate the playbar over time:

<script>
  <que name="followPath">
    <anim name="pathMove" duration="10s">
      <track name="pos">0. 1.</track>
      <send>toSparck node/myPathNode/playbar {pos}</send>
    </anim>
  </que>
</script>

This animates an object from the start to the end of the path over 10 seconds. Adjust the track values and duration for different motion profiles.

Creating Path Files in Blender

Blender Export Workflow

Path files are created in Blender using the TfmPath-Exporter script:

  1. Create a curve or path in Blender
  2. Run the TfmPath-Exporter script
  3. Export the path file
  4. Place the exported file in ~/_assets/_paths/_animations/
  5. Select the file in TfmNodePath's file property

Enable fileWatch to automatically reload when the file changes — useful during iterative design in Blender.

Path Segments

Working with Multiple Segments

A single path file can contain multiple segments:

  • Use the segment property to select which segment to follow
  • Enable closeSegment to automatically close paths that have a gap between the first and last vertex
  • Closed paths allow seamless looping animations

Visualization

Displaying the Path

  • Set drawto to render the path curve in a specific render group (e.g., 3DViewer)
  • Adjust object color to change the path's display color
  • The path visualization helps during setup and debugging

Important Notes

File Locations

~/_assets/_paths/_animations/     # Animation path files

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Last updated: 2025-12-01 | Edit this page on GitHub