issues with follow path, positioning start of animation

[Mattyj]

I seem to consistently have issues with getting my shape to START at the beginning of the path I would like it to, using the Follow Path tool. I mess around with the point of origin of the path layer but this just feels like a crap shoot and does not ever really work for me. Any suggestions or advice?

[Greenlaw]

With Follow Path, the trick is to make sure the following layer (i.e, the 'sprite' object) is at the center of layer. Don't change the origin or otherwise transform the layer. The path layer should not be altered either.

If you need to change anything about the artwork or the path, do it at the point level, not the layer level. This applies to both the following layer and the path layer.

It helps if you place these layers in a group. You can transform this group, or nest it another group with transforms applied. The important thing is not to transform the layers or change the origin of the layers inside the group.

On rare occasions, something weird will happen to my setup anyway. I think this occurs when I've been messing with it too much, and I somehow break the setup. For example, in the Tutorial Intro video, this happened to me with one of the 'rat dragon's spiraling smoke elements. When this happened, I copied the vector art to new 'clean' layers, and everything was fine again.

Generally speaking, following the rules above works for me, and I don't run into trouble with Follow Path.

[Mattyj]

awesome thanks Greenlaw appreciate it, great to see your youtube channel too btw

[Greenlaw]

More tips: when you're using the path layer to deform the drawing, the art needs to be set up horizontally. The vector art should have enough points along the edge to allow it to deform properly.

If you need to change the art, remember to do this at the point level, not the layer level, and make the changes to the setup frame (frame 0).

Glad to help!