Point At
When the Point At behavior is applied to an object or group, you can specify a target
point for the affected object to turn toward.
Tip: Use the Point To behavior with the Move To behavior to created animated objects
that not only move toward a point (or each other), but that turn in the direction of the
target.
Parameters in the Inspector
Object:
An image well that defines the target object. To set the target object, drag the
object from the Layers list to the Object well in the Point At HUD or Inspector. You can
also drag the target object from the Layers list onto the Point At behavior.
Transition:
This slider determines how long it takes for the object to go from its starting
orientation to pointing at the center of the target object. This parameter is useful when
the object is pointing at a moving target object.
If Transition is set to 50% in a 300-frame project, and the target object is not moving, the
point-at object takes 150 frames to point at (or orient to) the center of the target object
and then stops moving for the duration of the behavior. If Transition is set to 100%, the
point-at object takes the full 300 frames to point at the target object. If the Point At
behavior’s duration is 100 frames, and Transition is set to 50%, the point-at object takes
50 frames to orient to the target object.
If Transition is set to 50% in a 300-frame project, and the target object is animated, the
point-at object takes 150 frames to point at (or orient to) the center of the target object
and then continues following the animated target object for the duration of the behavior.
If Transition is set to 100%, the point-at object takes the full 300 frames to point at the
target object.
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Chapter 9
Using Behaviors
Speed:
A pop-up menu that defines the object’s velocity from its position in the Canvas
to the position of the target. There are six choices:
• Constant: The object moves at a steady speed from its position toward the target.
• Ease In: The object starts at a slow speed, then reaches and maintains a steady speed
toward the target.
• Ease Out: The object starts at a steady speed, then slows down as it gradually decelerates
to a stop when it reaches the target.
• Ease Both: The object slowly accelerates and then slows down as it gradually decelerates
to a stop when it reaches the target.
• Accelerate: The object moves toward the target with increasing speed.
• Decelerate: The object moves toward the target with decreasing speed.
Axis:
A pop-up menu that lets you align the rotation of the object to the X, Y, or Z axis.
The default axis is Z. This parameter specifies which axis points at the target after the
movement is complete.
Invert Axis:
If the object is aligning on the correct axis, but appears backwards, this
checkbox flips the object so it faces the proper direction.
HUD Controls
The HUD has an Object well, a Transition slider, a Speed pop-up menu that allows you
to define the object’s velocity, an Axis pop-up menu to choose which axis should point
at the target after the movement is complete, and an Invert Axis checkbox.