DIAL: Can a dial spin move an object up and down (using relative movement animation not states)?

Jan 21, 2018

I am trying to make a virtual microscope for my students and want to simulate how turning the focus knob (dial) moves the stage up and down. As the knob turns, I would like the user to see the stage actually move on a motion path from its previous position either up or down. If the user turns the dial to the right - it goes up and left it goes down - all from the position it is at. I think I could do this using states but I would rather have the user see the motion. Is this possible? And, if so, how? As always - thank you kindly for your help.

11 Replies
Andrew Ratner

Michael, this is really cool. So, essentially, you set a dial with X number of points and created a number variable called PastValue; set the variable to always equal dial number; created the rectangle and made two animation paths (up & down); and then set a trigger that activated the motion paths to correspond with the PastValue variable? 

What other uses does PastValue have? It seems like an interesting variable to use. Is it strictly for motion paths? Thanks! This is a learning opportunity for me :)

Leonie Lawson

Hi Michael, I've happened upon this thread and it is really useful!

I'm trying to replicate the movement of a slide on a microscope with it moving up/down and side to side. I've managed to get the up/down working, but can only do this if the motion path is extended with a finish point. I see in your example, the start and finish of the motion paths are in the same place. How did you get the object to move along a path where the finish is not set? I can't seem to get this to work in the same way, so must be missing a setting somewhere. 

Another query, is it possible to have a left/right movement in combination with this? I was thinking to do this I will need to use values and 'if' statements, but can't figure out how to get it moving in a left/right motion with a random start point, set by the previous up/down if that makes sense. 

TIA for any help you can provide. 

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