3D Path Rotation

In this example, the Tower Crane 3D Resource has been assigned to a Tower Crane Task with duration of 100 days.

We will implement path rotation.

1.	Select Navigator>3D Paths

2.	Right click in top white context window and select Create

3.	Right click then Rename as TC rotate

4.	Select Task Properties>Resources expand Equipment Resources then select and highlight the lowest level name of the 3D Resource (in this case Tower Crane.dwf) and change 3D Path to TC rotate

5.	Select 3D Path Properties tab (located in bottom right hand corner but if it is not displayed right click on TC rotate and select 3D Path Properties…

General tab

Options:

·	Change the Name

·	Change the Colour

·	Displays the name of 3D Resource selected

·	Displays the Task the 3D Resource has been assigned to

·	Capture Keyframe is explained next

7. Select Capture Keyframe

This will create blue keyframes at the start and end of the tasks bar- shown below

8. Open the Keyframe tab

Keyframe Options

·	Toggle buttons

Allow you to toggle through and view each keyframe

Time

Displays the time of the selected keyframe

·	Position (of each keyframe point)

·	Rotation (of each keyframe point)

·	Centre (of each keyframe point)

9. Use Toggle to select keyframe

You will see the position of the keyframe symbolised but a red box- this is the designated point of rotation

We need to move the designated point of rotation so the crane will rotate about its mask

10. In Navigator>3D Paths right click on the path TC rotate and select Modify 3D Path

You will see the manipulator located on the designated point of rotation-

11. Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard then move the cursor over the arrow in the axis you want to move (it will change colour to yellow)

Release mouse button to finish

12. Then hold down the left mouse button and move the manipulator to the required location

13. Rotate the view then so you can see the other arrow that you need to move

14. Hold down the CTRL key on your keyboard then move the cursor over the arrow in the axis you want to move (it will change colour to yellow)

15. Then hold down the left mouse button and move the manipulator to the required location

16. The designated point of rotation should be correct now as shown in the image- to change this select Capture Keyframe

(You will see the position coordinates change)

17. Right click anywhere in the Keyframe tab and select Copy Keyframe

18. Use the Toggle to select Keyframe 2

19. Right click anywhere in the Keyframe tab and select Paste>Keyframe

Both Keyframes 1 & 2 have the same designated position of rotation now.

Note the other options you can obtain from right click in the Key

20. To change the rotation of Keyframe 2 ensure that you have toggled to Keyframe 2 then use the rotational manipulator which you will see on the gizmo (It will change colour to yellow to show that it is active)

21. Hold down the left mouse button and rotate until you find the required location then select Capture Keyframe

NOTES:

1. If the object appears to be rotating around the Original center of rotation instead of the newly assigned center, go to Task Properties>Resources>3D Path and ensure that the Alignment selection is set to Custom

2. You will also notice that a figure is populated in Angle- you can fine tune this if required then press Apply

22. Move the Focus time back and forth and the crane will rotate about this new point.In Navigator>3D Paths right click on the path TC rotate and select Modify 3D Path

Adding/removing path frames using Gantt chart

1.	Move Focus Time to a required point of time for example half way point along a way as shown below

2.	Select Capture Keyframe and it creates a new Keyframe at that point

3.	To remove toggle to required Keyframe then right click in Keyframe tab and select Delete Key

4.	You can edit the Keyframes so you will have several rotations in one task

Changeable speed for movable objects

1.	Toggle to required Keyframe and you will see the focus time in the Gantt Chart move over that frame-

2.	Move focus time to a later date for example-

3.	Then right click in Keyframe Tab and select Capture Focus Time.

The Keyframe will move to this point in time therefore the duration to move from Keyframe 1 to 2 is longer and slower