Home > Animation and interactivity > Create a motion path

Create a motion path

• To create a motion path
• To modify a motion path
• To delete a motion path

You can generate an animation timeline automatically by using the Convert to Motion Path tool that makes a target object follow a path on the artboard, whether that path is a line or the perimeter of a shape (such as an ellipse or a rectangle).

To create a motion path

1. If you do not yet have an object that you want to make follow a motion path, create the object, and then give it a name. (You do not have to create the moving object first, but it simplifies this procedure. You also do not have to give the object a name, but it makes it easier to identify your object in a later step when you use the Convert to Motion Path tool.)

   If you want to apply the motion path to more than one object, you can group the objects into a panel object and then apply the motion path to the panel. To group objects together, select the objects under Objects and Timeline (hold the CTRL key to select more than one), right-click your selection, point to Group Into, and then click the type of panel that you want.

2. If you have a timeline into which you want the motion path to be added, select the timeline from the drop-down box under Objects and Timeline. Otherwise, create a new timeline by clicking the Create new timeline button, and give it a name. Move the playhead to the location where you want the motion path to start.

   If you have timelines in your application, but you do not select one before creating a motion path, then the motion path will be added to the first timeline in your drop-down list. If you have no timelines in your application before creating a motion path, one will be created with a default name.

3. From the Toolbox, select the drawing tool that can produce the path that you want your moving object to follow.
   • If you want your object to move in a circular or rectangular motion, select the Ellipse   or Rectangle tool. You can modify a shape on the artboard by using the Selection tool and dragging the blue adorners that appear around the object, or by changing the properties in the Transform category of the Properties panel.

     By default, a motion path starts at the top left corner of a rectangle, and at the right side of an ellipse. If you want your starting point to be different, then rotate the shape before you create the motion path. Additionally, motion paths run clockwise, so if you want your motion path to run counter-clockwise, flip the shape (point to Flip on the Object menu) before you create the motion path.

   • If you want your object to move along a drawn path, use the Pen or Pencil tool. You can modify a drawn path using the Direct Selection tool to move individual points.

     By default, a motion path starts at the origin (first point) of a drawn path.

4. Draw your path object onto the artboard.
   You can create more complex shapes and paths using the compound path and clipping tools. For more information, see Path editing.
5. With your path object selected under Objects and Timeline, set the Fill property in the Brushes category of the Properties panel to No Brush and set the Stroke property to Solid Color Brush . This step is not necessary, but it makes it easier to see the outline of your path object clearly.
6. With your path object still selected under Objects and Timeline, point to Path on the Object menu, and then click Convert to Motion Path.
   The Choose Target for Motion Path dialog appears.
7. The target for the motion path is your moving object. Select the name of your moving object from the list, and then click OK.

   If you have not named your moving object under Objects and Timeline, its type will be displayed in the Choose Target for Motion Path dialog. After you create the motion path, your moving object will automatically be named. This is because an object must have a name in order to be referenced elsewhere in your application.

   After you click OK, a motion path is generated that represents the movement of your object along the path.
8. At this point, you can delete the shape or drawn path that you used to generate the motion path, because it is not a part of the timeline.
9. To modify the playing time of the motion path, expand the nodes of your moving object under Objects and Timeline until you see the Motion Path node, and then in the timeline, drag the blue bars on the ends of the grey time span bar.
   You can also modify the repeat count for your motion path. For an example, see Set the loop duration.
10. Click the Play button to test your new motion path.

To modify a motion path

• To modify the path of travel of a motion path, expand the nodes of your moving object under Objects and Timeline until you see the Motion Path node, and then in the Toolbox, select the Direct Selection tool. Points will appear on the artboard at the locations where you can modify the path.

  You cannot modify the path of travel of an existing motion path animation by only modifying the shape or drawn path that you used to create the motion path. This is because there is no connection between the shape or drawn path and the motion path animation. You can, however, modify the original shape or drawn path, and then use the Convert to Motion Path tool again.

• To modify the playing time of the motion path, expand the nodes of your moving object under Objects and Timeline until you see the Motion Path node, and then in the timeline, drag the blue bars on the ends of the grey time span bar.
  You can also modify the repeat count for your motion path. For an example, see Set the loop duration.

To delete a motion path

• If your motion path is the only animated item in the timeline, you can select the timeline in the drop-down box under Objects and Timeline, and then click the Remove Timeline button.
• If your motion path is not the only animated item in the timeline, you can just delete the motion path. Expand the nodes of your moving object under Objects and Timeline until you see the Motion Path node, and then press DELETE.