Translation Constraint

8m 14sPublished Sep 18, 2023

SummaryVersion Notes (Draft)

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.

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.

📌 Key Points

Link position properties between objects with range, strength, and animation.

📝 Notes

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Step by Step

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.
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.
02:20

Selective Copying

Toggle the Copy X or Copy Y checkboxes to choose which axis of movement the owner should follow.
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.
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.
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.
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.