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.

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.