Help with Line Graph Motion Paths

Sep 21, 2022

Ryan Govreau
By Ryan Govreau

In the attached story, I am attempting to build motion paths for the marker (red circle) to follow the line graph. At each of the indicated stops (blue circles), the state of a rectangle would change to provide information about the particular column. 

At a minimum, I am looking for forward movement, though it would be nice to have backward movement as well. (Marker movement forward and backward.)

I have tried creating one solid motion path, with triggers set to intersect, as well as individual motion paths with relative starting points. I have not been successful with either method. 

Was wondering if someone had any tips or even a sample file they could share where this was programmed successfully. I appreciate the help! 

1 Reply
Judy Nollet
over 1 year ago09/22/22 at 1:39 pm (UTC)

Each move along the line graph requires a differently shaped path, so I wouldn't use relative starting points.

I suggest you have 2 separate paths for each segment: 1 going forward, and 1 going backward. (Because, alas, there's currently no way to tell the program to retreat along a given motion path...)

  • Be sure to give each path a meaningful name. For example: path1forward, path1back, path2forward, path2back, etc. This will really help when you're creating/editing triggers!

To ensure the object follows the proper path when the PREV or NEXT button is clicked, you'll need to use a variable to track the current location and triggers with conditions that determine the proper path to take.

  • Create a variable that tracks where the object is. This could be a number variable, with each position assigned a number. Or use a text variable, with each position assigned a name (e.g., at1, at2, etc.).
  • Adjust the variable's value whenever a motion path completes. For example, when path1forward completes, adjust the variable to "at2."  
  • Add triggers with conditions that move the object on a given path based on the value of the variable (i.e., the current position). For example, move the object on path2forward when the user clicks NEXT if the variable = at1.  

This post is about preventing relative paths from moving off the slide. However, it may give you some guidance for controlling paths using variables and conditions.

https://community.articulate.com/discussions/articulate-storyline/tip-prevent-motion-paths-from-moving-off-screen 

And here are the User Guide articles with basic info about variables and conditions:

https://community.articulate.com/series/articulate-storyline-360/articles/articulate-storyline-360-user-guide-how-to-work-with-variables 

https://community.articulate.com/series/articulate-storyline-360/articles/storyline-360-working-with-triggers#conditions 

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