<p>If it was me I'd be 100% doing this with <a href="https://processing.org" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Processing</a>. Processing is a Free / Open source programming environment / language that lets you easily make parametric animation like this. If you have the maths behind the curve sorted then implementing it as a processing sketch would be fairly straightforward.</p>
<p>A good starting point would be this sketch: <a href="https://processing.org/examples/sinewave.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://processing.org/examples/sinewave.html</a>
<a href="https://processing.org/examples/sinewave.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://processing.org/examples/sinewave.html</a></p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/l1pJA.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/l1pJA.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-24T17:40:03.063Z
Thank you for your answer and i think Processing is one of the best options for my request. But for a simple line that attached to a circle that rotate around another circle and another object is a little bit complicated and i think maybe a GUI would be easier. I'm familiar with programing and searching for an easier way if exist and if not I'll definitely back to Processing.
Amir
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-24T18:38:35.043Z
It could also be done with After Effects, but that would also require expressions.
stib
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-23T07:02:14.787Z
2020-12-23T07:02:14.787Z
stib
<p>Easy is subjective, but using <a href="https://solvespace.com/ref.pl" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Solvespace</a> may allow you to accomplish your objective. The included link has a section about three-quarters of the way down referencing the trace point feature of the program.</p>
<p>Solvespace is a multi-platform, free program that allows for parametric designs in 3D but will function fine for 2D projects such as this.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/fSuF4.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/fSuF4.png" alt="solvespace tracer" /></a></p>
<p>This image from the linked site shows a 4 bar linkage with length parameters applied.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-22T20:19:05.207Z
Animation though?
joojaa
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-22T23:17:45.697Z
screen recorder?
fred_dot_u
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-23T07:08:15.030Z
Thank you for your answer but it does not have animation function, And for screen recording i must change points location manually to trace and one point at time
Amir
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-22T18:57:14.030Z
2020-12-22T18:57:14.030Z
fred_dot_u
<p>I need to create a simple animation like <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aocKBYyjM0" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this video</a>.</p>
<p>I know this video is Created in MicroStation, but i don't need a complicated program for this and i think a simple one will be enough.</p>
<p>I just need to add some points, lines and set rotation speed, direction and trace path of one our two points. In video above look at Venus path.</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/5Ovm0.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/5Ovm0.png" alt="look at Venus path" /></a></p>
<p>Any suggestions?</p>
<p>Look at this image, Is there any program that lets me visually create something like this and trace orange dot path?</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Mmusr.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Mmusr.jpg" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-22T18:05:10.617Z
Your web browser?
joojaa
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-23T18:08:07.317Z
I think the problem with the question is that your not specifying what your skill level is. This isnt particularly hard its just that it all depends on where you start and what you have access to. I mean yes processing easy, but then matplotlib for python is equally easy. But noncomplicated seem sto indicate you expect a lucky break
joojaa
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-24T18:02:22.367Z
Your right, I'm familiar with HTML Canvas and using Js to draw on it and i worked with CAD and CAM programs but i don't think that this problem needs a very complicated designs and coding (maybe I'm wrong). If there is a program with a GUI that simply lets me create rotating objects around another one and trace one point, would be nice and easy. I'm searching and if not program available i will continue with Processing.
Amir
CC BY-SA 4.0
2020-12-24T23:32:25.890Z
it does not its just that programs do not generally aim to be this simplistic. They need to be overall competent or there wouldnt be a program. I would invariably do this in maya but blender is also a good choice. Mathematica is also a good choice. After effects might work too. Anyway, complicated is not a big thing here. I tested this and got it working in 15 minutes in maya, and 20 in mathematica. But then both of these apps have a 3-12 month learning curve.
joojaa
<animation>
Easy way to create a simple animation and trace path of a point?
Amir
# Easy way to create a simple animation and trace path of a point?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2020-12-22)

I need to create a simple animation like [this video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aocKBYyjM0).

I know this video is Created in MicroStation, but i don't need a complicated program for this and i think a simple one will be enough.

I just need to add some points, lines and set rotation speed, direction and trace path of one our two points. In video above look at Venus path.

[![look at Venus path](https://i.sstatic.net/5Ovm0.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/5Ovm0.png)

Any suggestions?

Look at this image, Is there any program that lets me visually create something like this and trace orange dot path?

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/Mmusr.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/Mmusr.jpg)

**Tags:** animation

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Your web browser?  
> **username_1**: I think the problem with the question is that your not specifying what your skill level is. This isnt particularly hard its just that it all depends on where you start and what you have access to. I mean yes processing easy, but then matplotlib for python is equally easy. But noncomplicated seem sto indicate you expect a lucky break  
> **username_0**: Your right, I'm familiar with HTML Canvas and using Js to draw on it and i worked with CAD and CAM programs but i don't think that this problem needs a very complicated designs and coding (maybe I'm wrong). If there is a program with a GUI that simply lets me create rotating objects around another one and trace one point, would be nice and easy. I'm searching and if not program available i will continue with Processing.  
> **username_1**: it does not its just that programs do not generally aim to be this simplistic. They need to be overall competent or there wouldnt be a program. I would invariably do this in maya but blender is also a good choice. Mathematica is also a good choice. After effects might work too. Anyway, complicated is not a big thing here. I tested this and got it working in 15 minutes in maya, and 20 in mathematica. But then both of these apps have a 3-12 month learning curve.  

---

## 2 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2020-12-23. Score: 0 | Accepted answer

If it was me I'd be 100% doing this with [Processing](https://processing.org). Processing is a Free / Open source programming environment / language that lets you easily make parametric animation like this. If you have the maths behind the curve sorted then implementing it as a processing sketch would be fairly straightforward.

A good starting point would be this sketch: <https://processing.org/examples/sinewave.html>
<https://processing.org/examples/sinewave.html>

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/l1pJA.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/l1pJA.png)

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you for your answer and i think Processing is one of the best options for my request. But for a simple line that attached to a circle that rotate around another circle and another object is a little bit complicated and i think maybe a GUI would be easier. I'm familiar with programing and searching for an easier way if exist and if not I'll definitely back to Processing.  
> **username_2**: It could also be done with After Effects, but that would also require expressions.  

---

### Answer by username_3 on 2020-12-22. Score: 0

Easy is subjective, but using [Solvespace](https://solvespace.com/ref.pl) may allow you to accomplish your objective. The included link has a section about three-quarters of the way down referencing the trace point feature of the program.

Solvespace is a multi-platform, free program that allows for parametric designs in 3D but will function fine for 2D projects such as this.

[![solvespace tracer](https://i.sstatic.net/fSuF4.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/fSuF4.png)

This image from the linked site shows a 4 bar linkage with length parameters applied.

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Animation though?  
> **username_3**: screen recorder?  
> **username_0**: Thank you for your answer but it does not have animation function, And for screen recording i must change points location manually to trace and one point at time  

---

