Tracking Constraints – Blender 2.80 Fundamentals

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This tutorial is part of the Blender Fundamentals series, produced by Dillon Gu.

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Tracking Constraints in Blender #

Tracking constraints in Blender are used to control the orientation of objects or bones by making them point towards, or away from, other objects or bones in the scene. These constraints are useful for creating relationships between different parts of a rig or automating complex rotations in animation. This guide will discuss some of the most commonly used tracking constraints in Blender, along with examples of how they can be applied in rigging and animation.

Common Tracking Constraints #

Here is an overview of some frequently used tracking constraints in Blender:

1. Track To: The Track To constraint makes an object or bone point towards a target object or bone along a specified axis. This is useful for creating relationships between objects or bones, such as making a character’s eyes follow an object in the scene, or pointing a camera towards a moving object.
2. Damped Track: Similar to the Track To constraint, the Damped Track constraint forces an object or bone to point towards a target object or bone. However, the Damped Track constraint only affects the rotation around a single axis and provides a smoother, more natural-looking motion compared to the Track To constraint.
3. Locked Track: The Locked Track constraint is a more restrictive version of the Track To constraint. It locks the rotation of an object or bone around one axis while still pointing towards a target object or bone along another axis. This constraint is particularly useful for creating mechanical rigging setups, where rotations need to be constrained to specific axes.
4. Pole Target: The Pole Target constraint is often used in conjunction with Inverse Kinematics (IK) constraints to control the orientation of a chain of bones. By specifying a pole target, you can define the direction that the chain of bones should point in, which helps create more precise and controlled movement.

Applying Tracking Constraints #

To apply a tracking constraint to an object or bone in Blender, follow these steps:

1. Select the object or bone you want to constrain in the 3D viewport.
2. Navigate to the Properties panel and click on the Constraints tab (indicated by a chain icon).
3. Click the “Add Object Constraint” or “Add Bone Constraint” button (depending on your selection) and choose the desired tracking constraint from the list.
4. Configure the constraint settings as needed, such as specifying the target object or bone, setting the tracking axis, and adjusting the influence.

Tips for Using Tracking Constraints #

1. Choose the Appropriate Constraint: Each tracking constraint has its own unique characteristics, so consider the specific requirements of your rig or animation when selecting a constraint. Experiment with different tracking constraints to find the one that best suits your needs.
2. Use Constraints in Combination: Tracking constraints can be used in conjunction with other types of constraints or drivers to create complex, automated animation setups. For example, you can use a tracking constraint along with a Copy Location constraint to create a camera rig that both follows and points at a moving object.
3. Adjust Influence: The influence of a tracking constraint can be adjusted on a per-constraint basis, allowing you to blend the effect of the constraint with the object or bone’s original orientation. This can be helpful when you want to create a more subtle or gradual tracking effect.
4. Animate Constraints: Tracking constraints can be animated by keyframing their properties, such as the influence or target object. This enables you to create dynamic animation sequences that involve changing relationships between objects or bones over time.

Tracking constraints in Blender are essential tools for creating complex and engaging rigs and animations. By understanding the different types of tracking constraints available and how they can be applied, you can create more sophisticated and dynamic animation setups with ease.