Applying Your Animation Path
The last step of the process is to put our created animation path to use. We will use HitFilm Pro, which integrates tightly with Action Pro. HitFilm Express works equally well.
- Launch HitFilm, and create a new file.
- In the Media panel, select Import > Composite Shot and select the .hfcs file we just exported from Action Pro. A new folder is added to the Media panel, containing a timeline with our movement stored inside.
- Now we need to apply this movement to something. For our example here, we will use a simple plane. On the timeline, select New > Plane. Set its size to 200 × 200 pixels. If you want to change its name or color, you can do that too. Click Ok when you are finished.
- Set the plane’s Layer Dimensions to 3D plane, then parent the plane to Control Point #1.
- Already the plane will move based on our imported path. Double-click the Plane to open its controls, then in the Transform controls, right-click on Position and select Reset. This zeros out the plane’s position relative to our Animation Point, so it uses the exact same movement as the path we imported.
- Play the timeline, and view the result.
In just a few moments we have created an animation path through the movement of our hand, and applied it to another object. This is a simple example of the power of Action Pro. As you work more with the software and dig into some of its more powerful features, you can learn more about them in this manual.