Orient By Velocity 0.0.2 for Maya (maya script)

updates in v0.0.2:
 - added axis option
 - update menu (check for new version on creative crash)

The tool can orient an object with animated translation towards its direction of travel.
The effect is pretty much like animating an object along a motion path. The downside of the motion path is that you have to readjust all uValue keys when ever you change the length of the curve.

With OrientByVelocity you can simply animate freeform and still have the motionPath-like auto rotation. In Maya 2012 you can use Editable Motion Trails as motion path replacement.

(I picked up the idea from the particle instancer where you can have your instanced objects aim towards the direction of travel by setting the world velocity as aim direction. The tool creates a locator that acts as a target for an aimConstraint on the animated object. The position of the locator is the sum of the position and velocity of the animated object.)


USAGE:
- animate a locator (translate only)
- add locator in GUI as "Animated Position Locator"  
- pointConstraint object to locator and add the object as "Object to Orient"
- press "Create Orient by Velocity Setup"  
- check advanced options for animatable reverse attribute
- create/delete speed HUD in km/h via GUI


PS:
if you like it please rate, if you dont just write a quick request & i'll see what i can do. You can also  contact me through my blog.
I'll add a shot video demonstration as soon as i find the time.