PathTransition
The PathTransition class is the most powerful movement transition and it has two key methods:
| Method |
Description |
| setPath(Shape) |
Sets the path to follow |
| setOrientation(param) |
Determines how the the Node rotates as it follows its path
The parameter is one of two types:
- OrientationType.NONE (default) The Node will not change its orientation as it slides along its path.
- OrientationType.ORTHOGONAL_TO_TANGENT The Node will rotate as it slides along its path to keep it orthogonal to the tangent line of its path. This is the same way that a rollercoaster rotates to follow the shape of its track. |
Implementation
The code below moves a Node along a Circle.
// Create a Node. Could be any kind.
Rectangle rect = new Rectangle(50, 200, 100, 50);
// Create a Circle to use as our path Shape
Circle circle = new Circle(300, 200, 100, Color.LIGHTBLUE);
// Create the Transition
PathTransition pt = new PathTransition();
pt.setDuration(Duration.seconds(2));
pt.setPath(circle);
pt.setNode(rect);
Notes
- The path could be any Shape. It happens to be a Circle here.
- The circle can be visible or hidden based on whether you add it to the root node's child list.
- Remember to call pt.play() after showing the stage.
Here's the same code but the Node rotates to stay orthogonal to its path.
// Create a Node. Could be any kind.
Rectangle rect = new Rectangle(50, 200, 100, 50);
// Create a Circle to use as our path Shape
Circle circle = new Circle(300, 200, 100, Color.LIGHTBLUE);
// Create the Transition
PathTransition pt = new PathTransition();
pt.setOrientation(OrientationType.ORTHOGONAL_TO_TANGENT);
pt.setDuration(Duration.seconds(2));
pt.setPath(circle);
pt.setNode(rect);
Notes
- Try changing the path to a Rectangle or a Polygon.
Tino APCS