.. _curve-path-animation:

**************
Path Animation
**************

The *Path Animation* settings can be used to determine how child objects move along a certain path.

.. note::

   This feature is deprecated, but still available.
   A more future-proof method is the :doc:`/animation/constraints/relationship/follow_path`.

.. figure:: /images/modeling_curves_properties_data_path-animation-panel.png
   :align: center

   Path Animation panel.

Frames
   The number of frames that are needed to traverse the path,
   defining the maximum value for the *Evaluation Time* setting.
Evaluation Time
   Parametric position along the length of the curve that object following it should be at
   (the position is evaluated by dividing by the *Path Length* value).
   By default, it is linked to the global frame number,
   but could be keyframed to give more control over the path animation.
Follow
   Make the curve path children rotate along the curvature of the path.

.. note::

   Deprecated, but still available use.
   A more future-proof method is the :doc:`/animation/constraints/relationship/follow_path`.


Example
=======

This example shows you how setup a *Path Animation*.

#. Add an object you want to animate and a path along which this object will move.
   In this example it's the *Monkey* and the *Bézier Circle*.
#. To parent the monkey to the Bézier circle, first select the monkey then the curve
   (so that the curve is the active object), press :kbd:`Ctrl-P` and select *Follow Path*.
   It will automatically animate *Evaluation Time* and activate *Follow* option
   in the *Path Animation* panel.
#. Select the monkey and :doc:`Clear Origin </scene_layout/object/editing/transform/clear_apply>` to reset its offset.
#. You can change the orientation of the monkey by changing
   the :doc:`Tracking Axis </scene_layout/object/properties/relations/extras>`.

.. list-table::

   * - .. figure:: /images/modeling_curves_properties_data_path-animation-example-1.png

          Monkey parented to the Bézier Circle.

     - .. figure:: /images/modeling_curves_properties_data_path-animation-example-2.png

          The final result.