Track Lines
Where Aiming Lines show a single angle, Track Lines show the complete path. They're multi-segment and can follow a ball through rail contacts, combination impacts, and even curved masse-shot paths. If you want to show where the cue ball ends up — and every step it takes to get there — Track Lines are the tool.
Creating a Track Line
- Right-Click the CBall or OBall you want to trace.
- Select Track from the Right-Click Menu.
- Move your cursor to the first waypoint (typically a Ghost Ball or a rail contact point), then Left-Click to anchor that segment.
- Continue moving and Left-Clicking to add more segments.
- Double-Left-Click at the final position to finish the Track Line.
You can add more than one Track Line to a single ball. This is useful when you want to show the different paths that result from different speeds or spin choices — for instance, showing a "soft draw" path and a "hard follow" path side by side.
Right-Click Menu Options
Right-clicking any segment of a Track Line gives you these options:
| Option | Function |
|---|---|
| Reshape Track | Adds circular control points at each segment intersection. Left-Click-and-Drag a control point to reposition it. Left-Click anywhere on the table to exit reshape mode. |
| Remove Track | Deletes the entire Track Line from the layout. |
| Add Label | Adds a label to that specific segment. Edit with arrow keys, Backspace, and Delete. Left-Click on the table to finish. |
| Add Segment | Inserts an additional segment into the Track Line. |
| Remove Segment | Removes the selected segment. If it's a Curve segment, it reverts to straight. |
| Curve | Converts the selected segment into a Bézier curve. |
Creating Curved Segments
The Curve option converts any straight segment into a Bézier curve, which you'll use to represent a curved cue ball path or a masse shot path. When you apply Curve to a segment, two yellow control points appear between the segment endpoints.
Getting a realistic curve takes a bit of back-and-forth. Here's the right approach:
- Left-Click-and-Drag the control point closest to the Cue Ball to shape the initial curve. This is where the spin is applied and the path bends most dramatically.
- Left-Click-and-Drag the control point closest to the Ghost Ball onto the visible straight line between the endpoints. This causes the path to straighten out as the spin wears off — matching how a real curved cue ball path actually behaves.
- Alternate between steps 1 and 2 until the path looks right.
Warning: It's possible to draw physically impossible ball paths using the Curve tool. A realistic curve should start with a pronounced bend near the cue ball and straighten progressively toward the contact point. If your curve stays bent all the way through, it won't look like a real shot.
