Make a Circular Motion Path

This tutorial describes the steps to create circular motion path. It demonstrates the use of curved motion paths. You will need to have Photo to Movie running and a photo available.

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  1. Create a new document by choosing File > New.
  2. Drag your photo from the Finder to the new document.
  3. Select multiple key frame view.
    multiframe
  4. Choose View > Key Frame Panel or press Cmd-K to open the key frame panel.
  5. You will have two key frames already in place. Select the first key frame (the green one) in the key frame panel.
  6. In the main window, drag the size of the green key frame until it is roughly 1/4 of the full size of the photo.
    quarter key frame
  7. Choose Edit > Select All or press Command-A to select the other key frame too.
  8. Choose Edit > Align > Align Sizes. Both key frames should now be the same size, roughly 1/4 of the full size of the photo.
  9. Now in key frame panel again, add three more key frames by clicking on the button on the last key frame.
    add key frame
  10. You should now have five key frames. From left to right in the key frame panel, click on each individual key frame and in the main window arrange each one so that the blue path forms a diamond shape.
    diamond
  11. The green and yellow key frames should be on the left of the diamond. The red key frame should be on the top. The blue on the right and the purple on the bottom.
  12. Choose Edit > Select All or press Command-A to select all of the key frames.
  13. In the inspector, uncheck the Stop motion at this frame button. Then check the Bezier button. Doing this will change the motion path to a curved, circular motion path.
    bezier
  14. Click on the blue motion path in the timeline.
    sequence mp
  15. Set the duration of the motion path to 10 seconds in the inspector.
    motion inspector
  16. Press the Spacebar to play your movie.
  17. You can adjust your Bezier paths to make the motion perfectly smooth.