Lesson 2: Parent, Orient, and Point Constraints

Lesson 2: Parent, Orient, and Point Constraints

Parent Constraints:

             A Parent Constraint as described in Lesson 1 makes a connection that affects the translation and rotation values of the driven object. The Parent Constraint has its own option window that can be accessed by clicking on the little white box beside the name of the constraint. If you look at the first option in this window, you find “Maintain Offset.” Maintaining an offset refers to the position of the driven in relation to the driver. When this option is turned on, the driven stays in the same place, but if you turn it off, then the driven will snap to the driver. The other areas you might take an interest is the “Constraint Axes” half of the window. This will limit the influence of the constraint.

Orient Constraints:

            An Orient Constraint acts similarly to a Parent Constraint in how it makes a connection, but Orient Constraints only influence the rotational values. These values are an exact match from the driver to the driven, which sets it apart from a Parent Constraint and Parenting. In a Parent Constraint or Parenting the driven will orbit around the driver like the moon around the Earth, but the Orient Constraint does not have that effect where it is in space besides the “Maintain Offset” option in the option window. The areas you will need to know are the “Maintain Offset” and “Constraint Axes.”

Point Constraints:

            A Point Constraint makes a connection similar to the Parent and Orient Constraints, but a Pont Constraint only changes the transnational values of the driven object. The driven object will follow the driver object, but will not affect the rotational values of the driven object. The only areas that you will need to know are the “Maintain Offset” and “Constraint Axes.”