The document is a tutorial on using Blender for animation, specifically focusing on camera path tracking techniques. It covers the setup and settings necessary for path animation, as well as includes step-by-step instructions and illustrations for various actions within Blender. Additionally, it provides links to resources and other related tutorials to enhance understanding of the software's capabilities in 3D design and animation.

1. Blender Tutorial Animation
Basics – Camera follow path
tracking to target
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Eng. Tihomir Dovramadjiev
Technical University of Varna
MTF, Department Industrial Design
tihomir.dovramadjiev@tu-varna.bg
● DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.18939.00808
● https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326977171_Blender_Tutorial_Animation_Basic
s-Camera_follow_path_tracking_to_target

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About Blender software
Blender is the free and open source 3D creation suite. It supports the
entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation,
rendering, compositing and motion tracking, even video editing and
game creation.
●https://www.blender.org/
●Modern accessible application of the system Blender in 3D design
practice.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312033613_Modern_accessibl
e_application_of_the_system_Blender_in_3D_design_practice

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Blender - Object Data / Path
Animation
The Path Animation settings can be used to determine how child objects move along a certain path.
●Frames. The number of frames that are needed to traverse the path, defining the maximum value
for the Evaluation Time setting.
●Evaluation Time. Parametric position along the length of the curve that object following it should be
at (the position is evaluated by dividing by the Path Length value). By default, it is linked to the global
frame number, but could be keyframed to give more control over the path animation.
●Follow. Make the curve path children rotate along the curvature of the path.
●https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/modeling/curves/properties/data.html?highlight=object
%20data%20path%20animation

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Blender - Object Data / Path
Animation - Active Spline
The Active Spline panel becomes available during Edit Mode.
●Cyclic. Closes the curve.
●Resolution. Alters the smoothness of each segment by changing the number of subdivisions.
●Interpolation
●Tilt. Alters how the tilt of a segment is calculated.
●Radius. Alters how the radius of a beveled curve is calculated. The effects are easier to see after
Shrinking/Fattening a control point Alt-S.
●Smooth. Smooths the normals of the curve.
●https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/modeling/curves/properties/data.html?highlight=object
%20data%20path%20animation

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The Tutorial

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Blender Animation– The Scene
● Fig. 1. The Scene is available (created) from: DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.23028.45444/1
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326960717_Blender_Tutorial-
Appending_Join_multiple_Blend_files_into_one_scene_using_free_commercial_resources
● https://www.slideshare.net/TihomirDovramadjievP/blender-tutorial-appending-join-multiple-blend-files-into-one-
scene-using-free-commercial-resources-109409339

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Blender Animation – Adding Curve
●
● Fig. 2. Adding Curve. Add > Curve > Circle

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Blender Animation – Scaling
●
● Fig. 3. Scaling Curve (Bezier Circle). Key „S“

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Blender Animation – The Scene
●
● Fig. 4. The Scene

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Blender Animation – Target
●
● Fig. 5. Adding Target. Add > Empty > Plain Axes

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Blender Animation – Target
●
● Fig. 6. Position of the Target (Empty - Plain Axes)

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Blender Animation – Object
Constraint
● Fig. 7. Selecting Camera > Object Constraints > Add Object Constraint

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Blender Animation – Tracking
●
● Fig. 8. Add Object Constraint > Tracking > Track To

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Blender Animation – Tracking
● Fig. 9. Track to target > Empty

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Blender Animation – Tracking
●
● Fig. 10. Track to target > Empty

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Blender Animation – Tracking
●
● Fig. 11. Track to target > Empty > Axe + Z

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Blender Animation – Camera View
●
● Fig. 12. Camera View

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Blender Animation – Camera to path
●
● Fig. 13. 1. Selecting Camera > 2 + „Shift“ Key selecting path. (Orange
color)

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Blender Animation – Follow path
●
● Fig. 14. Set Parent to > Follow Path. Keys „Ctrl + P“

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Blender Animation – Bezier Circle
●
● Fig. 15. Selecting Bezier Circle > Object Data > Path Animation

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Blender Animation – Bezier Circle
● Fig. 16. Path Animation. Frames: 250

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Variant 1

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Blender Animation – Output Render
- 1
● Fig. 17. Output Render > Output file name (Frame Range Start:1 to
End: 250) + FFmpeg video

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Blender Animation – Variant 1
● Fig. 18. Play animation in VLC player

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Blender Animation – Variant 1
● Fig. 19. Play animation in YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1hsBPNtozo
●

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Variant 2

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Blender Animation – Output Render
- 2
● Fig. 20. Follow > Cyclic > U

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Blender Animation – Variant 2
● Fig. 21. Play animation in VLC player

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Blender Animation – Variant 1
● Fig. 22. Play animation in YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WbqalFdbTU

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References
●Blender Software
https://www.blender.org/
●Modern accessible application of the system Blender in 3D design practice.
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/312033613_Modern_accessible_application_of_the_syste
m_Blender_in_3D_design_practice
●Object Data / Path Animation & Active Spline.
●https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/dev/modeling/curves/properties/data.html#path-animation
●Blender Tutorial - Appending / Join multiple Blend files into one scene using free commercial
resources. DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.23028.45444/1
●https://www.researchgate.net/publication/326960717_Blender_Tutorial-
Appending_Join_multiple_Blend_files_into_one_scene_using_free_commercial_resources
●https://www.slideshare.net/TihomirDovramadjievP/blender-tutorial-appending-join-multiple-blend-
files-into-one-scene-using-free-commercial-resources-109409339
● Blender Camera Follow Path Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZRtAtAvL6k
●How To Move Camera In Circular Way In Blender - Quick Tutorial
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63_nvGRHLIQ
●Blender Tutorial Animation Basics – Camera follow path tracking to target - Variant 1
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1hsBPNtozo&feature=youtu.be
●Blender Tutorial Animation Basics – Camera follow path tracking to target - Variant 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WbqalFdbTU&feature=youtu.be