PathFollow2D

Inherits: Node2D < CanvasItem < Node < Object

Point sampler for a Path2D.

Description

This node takes its parent Path2D, and returns the coordinates of a point within it, given a distance from the first vertex.

It is useful for making other nodes follow a path, without coding the movement pattern. For that, the nodes must be children of this node. The descendant nodes will then move accordingly when setting an offset in this node.

Property Descriptions

Default true
Setter set_cubic_interpolation(value)
Getter get_cubic_interpolation()

If true, the position between two cached points is interpolated cubically, and linearly otherwise.

The points along the Curve2D of the Path2D are precomputed before use, for faster calculations. The point at the requested offset is then calculated interpolating between two adjacent cached points. This may present a problem if the curve makes sharp turns, as the cached points may not follow the curve closely enough.

There are two answers to this problem: either increase the number of cached points and increase memory consumption, or make a cubic interpolation between two points at the cost of (slightly) slower calculations.


Default 0.0
Setter set_h_offset(value)
Getter get_h_offset()

The node’s offset along the curve.


Default 4.0
Setter set_lookahead(value)
Getter get_lookahead()

How far to look ahead of the curve to calculate the tangent if the node is rotating. E.g. shorter lookaheads will lead to faster rotations.


Default true
Setter set_loop(value)
Getter has_loop()

If true, any offset outside the path’s length will wrap around, instead of stopping at the ends. Use it for cyclic paths.


Default 0.0
Setter set_offset(value)
Getter get_offset()

The distance along the path in pixels.


Default true
Setter set_rotate(value)
Getter is_rotating()

If true, this node rotates to follow the path, making its descendants rotate.


Default 0.0
Setter set_unit_offset(value)
Getter get_unit_offset()

The distance along the path as a number in the range 0.0 (for the first vertex) to 1.0 (for the last). This is just another way of expressing the offset within the path, as the offset supplied is multiplied internally by the path’s length.


Default 0.0
Setter set_v_offset(value)
Getter get_v_offset()

The node’s offset perpendicular to the curve.