Skip to main content
L
Lana123456
Participant
July 27, 2017
Answered

How to create a dropping line graph?

  • July 27, 2017
  • 4 replies
  • 1333 views

Hi,

I am working on recreating an animated slide with several graphs to match our new company branding. I have not been working with After Effects for long and am working my way through tutorials.

I am stuck at creating a line graphs that drops down and changes shape and colour. See image for illustration. I want the orange line to appear first and then drop down and change into the blue line.

I haven't found any tutorials that would help me get this done - if you could recommend any (bearing in mind that I really am a beginner at this) that would be great.

I am hoping to get some proper training at some point, but I need something for the meantime.

Many thanks

Lana

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer Lana123456

    Thanks a million - I have managed to do it (also with help from this tutorial: Morphing Shapes - After Effects Tutorial (and a little bit of Illustrator) - YouTube ).

    I think a crucial penny has dropped now about keyframes etc, so thank you to all for your help.

    Lana

    4 replies

    L
    Lana123456Author
    Participant
    July 27, 2017

    Thanks for the input  martinr84659894, Liran Tabib andGutter-Fish​.

    I don't need the dots. Sorry, should have said so!

    I know how to draw a line and I have used trim paths before, but I don't understand how to animate the line so it drops. So my question literally is "How do I make it move and change colour?".

    Thanks for your help, I appreciate this is very basic.

    Lana

    P.M.B
    P.M.B
    Legend
    July 27, 2017

    It's simple keyframes.

    For the line you need to twirl down to expose the "PATH" property that has the stopwatch next to it.  You can then just set a simple keyframe, move forward in the timeline, move the points of your shape layer to where you want them to be.

    Then, inside the STROKE area of the shape properties keep expanding the menus until you expose the color.  now again simple keyframes. Set the keyframe (by click the stopwatch, of course ), move forward, click the color swatch for the stroke set your new color, click ok and your done.

    ~Gutterfish
      P.M.B
      P.M.B
      Legend
      July 27, 2017

      You could also just create the dots & use the beam effect to connect them.  That way you can just animate the dotes anywhere you want and the connecting lines will follow.

      Here's the basics of how to set it up Tutorial 06: Beam Effect in After Effects ✔ - YouTube   Hopefully you'll be able to apply this technique to your graph.

      If you cannot figure out how to apply it to your needs tell me and I'll make a quick video.

      ~Gutterfish
        Liran Tabib
        Liran Tabib
        Inspiring
        July 27, 2017

        Hi Lana

        You can create these graphs with a shape layer with two strokes- one stroke is for the line and the other is for the dots.

        since it's all sitting on the same layer it will be really easy to animate.

        I attach a CC2015 project file Link so you can play with the values.

        Best Regards

        Liran Tabib

        www.vdodna.com

          Martin_Ritter
          Martin_Ritter
          Legend
          July 27, 2017

          I recommend using an shape layer. You can create a path with the pen tool like the first graph. Set color and thickness. Then you animated the path and color. Move all path-points to the second graph and change color.

          If you want the dots as well, you can create them manually and animate then manually. Unfortunately you can't connect pathpoints to layers, and vice versa.

          An easier way would be the script "Connect Layers" (Connect Layers - aescripts + aeplugins - aescripts.com ). Create the dots with shape layers, connect them with the script and then animate the dots and their colors and the colors of the newly created shape layers (the lines). But the lines between the dots will be linear, without that bit of ease like in your example-graph.

          Maybe somebody knows an better option.

          Cheers,

          Martin

            Terms & ConditionsAccessibility statement
            Using the community Terms of use Privacy Cookie preferences Do not sell or share my personal information ad choicesAdChoices