Translation Constraint

Summary

The Translation Constraint allows you to link the position properties of one object (the owner) to another (the target). This lesson covers the setup of basic translation constraints, selective axis copying, range limiting (min/max), the offset feature, and animating constraint strength to create dynamic motion dependencies.

Step by Step

1. 00:29
   Adding a Constraint

   Select the object you want to constrain, go to the Inspector, click the + button under Constraints, and select Translation Constraint.
2. 01:16
   Setting the Target

   Open the constraint settings and use the target selector to pick the object that will drive the movement. By default, the owner will snap to the target's origin.
3. 02:20
   Selective Copying

   Toggle the Copy X or Copy Y checkboxes to choose which axis of movement the owner should follow.
4. 03:00
   Defining Ranges

   Set Minimum and Maximum values to restrict the owner's movement within a specific coordinate range on the X or Y axis.
5. 04:06
   Managing Strength

   Adjust the Strength slider (0-100%) to control how strictly the constraint is applied. This property can be animated in Animate Mode for gradual activation.
6. 06:28
   Using Offset

   Enable the Offset toggle before selecting a target to keep the owner at its current relative distance from the target instead of snapping to its center.
7. 07:11
   Self-Limiting

   Leave the target blank to have an object target itself; this is a powerful way to set movement boundaries (like for a UI slider) without needing a external driver.

Notes About Current Rive

• Transformation Isolation: Translation constraints only affect position; scaling or rotating the target will not influence the owner unless specific Scale or Rotation constraints are also added.
• Deletion Tip: To remove a constraint, right-click it and select delete, or hold the Alt/Option key and click the X that appears.
• Interactive UI: Combining self-targeting translation constraints with min/max values is the standard method for creating restricted interactive elements like sliders or scroll bars.