Trails

Intro

Generate trails (lines) from the movement of other Shapes.

Experimental Feature

This is an experimental feature. To enable, check Enable Experimental Features in Preferences. Experimental features are only available as part of a Professional licence.

UI

Shape

Common Attributes +

Input Shapes - Connect a shape or shapes to create trails from.

Limit Length - When checked the Trail's length will be limited to a maximum Length value.

Length - Set the maximum length for the Trail's. Note - inactive when Limit Length is unchecked.

Start Frame - Set the first frame for the Trails to appear.

Path Type - Select the curve type:

• Béziers - Trails will be created as bézier curves.
• Lines - Trails will be created as polygonal lines.

Time Offset - Offset the time for any animation that has been added to the Trails. For example, if an Oscillator is connected to the Stroke's Width, connecting a Stagger to the Time Offset can be used to offset the animation for each trail.

Stroke

Common Attributes +

Use Particle Color - When checked, the Trails will inherit their color from a Particle Shape used as an Input Shape.

Advanced

Common Attributes +

Use Index Context - When checked, the Trails will pull Context. This can be used to control how Ids are assigned and so affect each Trail individually – for example, adding a Color Array to the Trails Shape's Stroke Color.

Example

1. Create a Shape.
2. With the Shape selected, click the Duplicator icon in the Shelf.
3. In the Attribute Editor, right click on the Duplicator's Shape Position attribute and select Add Behaviour > Noise.
4. Load the Noise's Attribute Editor UI.
5. Increase the Strength to e.g. 500.
6. Create a Trails Shape.
7. Connect duplicator.id→trails.inputShapes.
8. Hide the Duplicator.
9. Press Play.