Animate an object to follow along a path

What you learned: How position keyframes and path points are interchangeable.

Create a path

1. Select a layer and use the Pen tool to create anchor points for a path.
2. Click and drag to add anchor points and expose the handles.
3. Move the handles to adjust the shape of the path.

Use the path to create position keyframes

1. Switch to the Select tool in the Toolbar.
2. Select the layer which contains the path and press M to reveal the Mask Path property.
3. Select the words Mask Path and then choose Edit > Copy to copy the path.
4. Select the layer to which you want to apply the path and press P to reveal the Position parameter.
5. Select the word Position in the Timeline and choose Edit > Paste to add the path data as Position keyframes.

Change the timing of the animation

• Deselect all the keyframes. Then drag the first or last keyframe to change the duration of the animation along the path.

Orient the object along the path

1. Go to Layer > Transform > Auto-Orient, and choose Orient Along Path.
2. Press R to open the Rotation parameter, and scrub to rotate the animated layer to the proper angle on the path.