Motion and Paths

A motion moves a region along a path. A path is a generator for a list of points. A motion sequentially uses one of these points to move or stretch a region. There are several ways to define a path described below.

Motion

Item type	Motion
Description	motion of a region in a scene
Action	starts / stops the motion
Condition	true while moving

Key	Type	Default	Description
region	Region		the region to move
path	Paths		the path to move the region along
type	byte	=	the usage of the points of the path; see definitions for values
stretch	bool	0	if true, the region is stretched, otherwise it is moved
timing	Timings	<>	the timing to control the motion
repeat	value	0	the number of frames to play (0 for continuous, -1 for stepping)
end	Actions	<>	the action to execute when the motion stops

A motion moves a region even if it is not part of the current scene. All motions are stopped, when a scene is left.

Route

Item type	Route
Description	a route of several paths
Action	-
Condition	-

Key	Type	Default	Description
route	[Paths]		the list of paths

A route is simply a sequence of pathes that are used one after the other.

Path

Item type	Path
Description	a list of points
Action	-
Condition	-

Key	Type	Default	Description
points	[point]		the points of the path

The simplest way to describe a path is by enumerating its points.

RandomPath

Item type	RandomPath
Description	random points inside of a shape
Action	-
Condition	-

Key	Type	Default	Description
shape	Shapes		the set of possible points

This path type generates random points inside of a shape.

Line

Item type	Line
Description	a line between two points
Action	-
Condition	-

Key	Type	Default	Description
steps	value		the number of points of the line
start	vpoint		the start point of the line
end	vpoint		the end point of the line

The line is divided into parts of the same length. The start and the end point are included in the list of points.

Spiral

Item type	Spiral
Description	a spiral path
Action	-
Condition	-

Key	Type	Default	Description
steps	value		the number of points of the spiral
center	vpoint		the center of the spiral
startRadius	value		the start radius
endRadius	value		the end radius
startDegree	value	0	the degree on start
endDegree	value	360	the degree at the end
stretch	value	100	the horizontal stretching factor in percent
rotate	value	0	the rotation of the spiral

The spiral lets you define several kinds of motions around a point. In any case, the points will be distributed even according to a circle around the center before any transformation occurs. Start radius and degree determine the start point, end radius and degree the end point. If start and end radius are the same, the path is a circle or an ellipse. Otherwise, the path is a spiral. The stretching factor deformes the path horizontally. The rotation factor rotate the complete spiral.

Wave

Item type	Wave
Description	a sinus wave path
Action	-
Condition	-

Key	Type	Default	Description
steps	value		the number of points of the wave
start	vpoint		the starting point of the wave
length	value		the length of the base line of the wave
startAmplitude	value		the amplitude on start
endAmplitude	value		the amplitude at the end
absolute	bool	0	the path consists of hills instead of waves
waveLength	value	20	the relative length of one wave
waveStart	value	0	the relative starting length
degree	value	0	the angle of the base line

A wave is a sinus wave that swings around a virtual base line. The base line is drawn horizontally from the starting point to the right with the given length. The x-values of the points are distributed evenly along the base line and the y-values are the according sinus value. Start and end amplitude, which may be negative, determine the distance of the y-values from the base line. If absolute is true, all points lie on the same side of the base line. The wave length determines the number of ups and downs of the wave along the base line. A value of 40 means a complete wave. The wave start lets the wave start at a different segment of the wave. Again, 40 means a complete wave. Finally, the whole wave may be rotated around the starting point.