Dots to follow paths on a map - Use After Effects or Animate?
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I have a map in the background and want dots from all the states to follow paths to, say, California. I tried AE using particle generators and not enough control. I want the dots to be different colors for the states. Then I tried a null object with a whippic from the dot. But not sure how to make the dots keep flowing on the same path and how to group the path and the dot. So was wondering if I should be using Animate instead. Then I want a little image where all the dots have congregated to, to blow up big and then the background fade away. Please help, I have done many tutorials. I just want advise for the best app to use for that purpose so I dont spend the next month learning the wrong app.
thanks!
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thank you, I will try this one.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Ok, here's what I don't understand. At the top of the page there is a fill and a stroke box. I see people have the fill set to 0 and the fill box is empty with a red line through it, so I know there is a panel to get to for the fill, but if I use your method and go to the twirl down, all I can do is click on the fill color and turn opacity to 0 but at the top of the page it still has a red fill box. How do people get to change the fill color to none and get the checkered strikethrough box? Please tell me.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Did you ever find Fill and stroke gaps and dashes. There is no panel, it's in the timeline under the shape layer path twirly. A twirly is this little thingie:
Right next to stroke, if it is anything but red and you press the U key twice you will see fill color. If do not see a fill color you spin the twirly up and down again and then click the fill color to edit.
If you cannot see the color swatch then you need to have both the switches and modes columns visible. You can do that by selecting the middle icon at the bottom of the timeline panel on the left.
The other option is to select Path one in the timeline and double click the tool in the tool bar. This will bring up the fill color panel exactly the same way that you get it when you double click the fill color in the timeline. You can also change the stroke weight in the timeline or from the tool bar with the path selected.
These are really basic UI techniques. I think you should spend some time here: User Guide Get quick answers and step-by-step instructions.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I have not found strokes and gaps. and dashes. I know what a twirly is.
I do see the fill under the twirly, as I stated I do not see how to change anything but the opacity. I do not see how to set it to no fill. and have it have the checkered strikethrough at the top of the page. Your 2nd paragraph doesn't address my question.
On your 3rd paragraph double click what tool? Are you talking about getting the color Picker? because that is not what I am talking about. I know way more than the basics, you are not understanding my questions.
On your instructions above, #6 option M does not make a keyframe, so I am stuck there.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
If you can't find it then you have not got the right columns displaying in the timeline. Does your timeline look like mine? Show me a screenshot. If you are on windows just PrintScreen and paste to the forums.
If you do not see the Switches and modes column then you can't access the fill and stroke and other options for a path.
Simple path, press the u key twice to reveal modified properties and you should get something like this:
If you don't see something this then reset your workspaces and make sure that your timeline has switches and modes visible.
As I have said I think twice, you have to add gaps and dashes by clicking the plus sign. You can only get that far if you spin the twirly up and down.
If you still can't find things post a screenshot. My render is done so I need to get back to work now.
One more thing, if a standard keyboard shortcut does not create a keyframe then you either do not have the layer selected or there is something wrong with your keyboard shortcuts. For any property all you have to do is reveal the property and click the stopwatch to set the keyframe. It works the same for masks but you need to spin down the twirly to reveal the path so you can set a keyframe.
Once you have a path keyframe you can cut it and paste it to a motion path. Setting a keyframe is more accurate and dependable than just selecting the path in the timeline.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Yes, I see everything that you see but I have a fill I can't turn to 0 and have that strikethrough line like at the top of your screen. I can only turn my opacity to 0, but if I do that it is still a solid red box at the top. So I know there is a way to do it. Also why does option-m not work? I option clicked on the position timeclock and I think that gave me the same thing, but to follow the directions I really don't know for sure.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Nothing is animating so I need help with #6 so I can move on. option - m does nothing.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Set a keyframe for your filled path and then copy it or cut it.
Make sure the ball is on a separate layer and the anchor point is exactly in the center of the ball. You can do that by zeroing out the Transform Ellipse 1 position property or by turning on snaps and using the Anchor Point tool (y) to drag the anchor point to the center of the ellipse. I prefer resetting Transform Ellipse to zero
Set a position keyframe for the shape layer containing the ellipse (Alt/Optin = p) and paste.
The reason that Alt/Opton + m did not set a keyframe for the path is that this shortcut sets keyframes for mask paths and you drew a shape path.
As long as you have not scaled, rotated or moved the layer that contains the path from it's default position the motion path of the new ball layer will precisely follow the vector path you have drawn.
My render is done so I need to go back to work but I'll check in once in a while to see how you are doing
One more thing, if you want to turn off the fill for a shape layer you can just delete the fill. You can always add another one later using the Add button at the top of the switches/modes column.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thank you so much, we are getting somewhere now. I don't know why the option m doesn't work, but I manually put the keyframe in and cut the path and keyframe to the ball layer. Now I am adjusting it. This might work great, and much better than the nulls with all its coding.
How do I draw a mask path as opposed to a shape path? Do you still use pen tool and put it on a different type of layer?
Here's the thing... if i delete (and I did try this) the fill part of the path, then the Fill box at the top of the page puts a question mark in it instead of the strikethrough like on yours, so I know there is a different way. I want to have the strikethrough so I KNOW there is no fill.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Another question, so I have my path on the transform section of the ball. I want to go to the frames and move (adjust) the ball on the path. So if I click on the "transform" part of the ball twirldown, then i see the path and the ball both, but then they move in unison. But if I want to just move the ball and select the ellipse path in the panel and move the position with the sliders or go on the stage and select the ball, then my path disappears. Is there a way to keep the path in view while I move my ball?
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
If you have view all keyframes selected in your preferences you can move an entire motion path by selecting the property in the timeline so all keyframes are highlighted, then you use the selection tool (v) to grab any keyframe in the motion path and drag the whole thing around.
If you just grab the ball and move it it will set a new keyframe or change the position of the existing one.
These are AE Basics. You really need to spend some time here: User Guide Get quick answers and step-by-step instructions.​ It's a lot more efficient that bouncing back and forth in the forums. You can't learn AE by just watching a few tutorials no matter how complicated they are. You have got to go through the basics.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I have gone through the basics. This is not what I mean, I don't want to move my path. I just want to move the ball and SEE the path at the same time, is this possible?
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
What is your suggestion for the 2nd ball to start on the same path before the 1st ball gets to the end?
Use different balls or different paths or can I use the same ball or paths?
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
But I want more balls to keep coming out while the other one is still traveling.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
So with that said should I use a shape path with your dots idea, or do I actually need a null path? and please please please just tell me where to find the panel that has the fill and stroke and dashes in it. I still don't know where to change that.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Does that make sense, I want it to stay on the path and bounce across the screen, but I do NOT want it to bounce outside of the path. So I don't understand why you put #8.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
It’s worth persevering with Particular, it’s a very good piece of software and will be useful in many other situations
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thank you for replying. First, I don't have the $400 to by the trapcode particular, I don't have any aftermarket plugins in AE. Next this is way overkill. I just want one dot to go across the screen and have another dot follow it. then multiply that about 50 times and change the paths. The other man on this thread said I can do this without null or any particle plugins. Just a simple dotted line. I am trying to figure out how he is saying to do this. This HAS to be super simple. Can anyone tell me how to find the panel that lets me take the fill off my path and put dots on it? Please. Then I can see if his method is even what I am after.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
OK. I'll leave you in Rick's very capable hands.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Thank you, I know this is a super easy thing. It should not be this hard. I just don't know how else to ask.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I am not finding anything that points you to the fill and stroke and dash panel...
Create and customize shapes and masks in After Effects
Please can someone help me find the panel?
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I am not changing ships. I still want a bouncing animated ball. You are telling me I can get a bouncing ball from a line. So I am asking you how then because I don't know. So I am trusting you and trying to get the information. I am going to try these steps.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
I know how to do the dotted line in illustrator, but don't see how to manipulate it in AE. I drew a bezier line in in AE now what? I need a step by step, because I am not understanding how drawing a line makes it animated.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
Picture a tennis ball shooting machine. One ball after the next shooting out across a map. from many states all to the same central point.
Copy link to clipboard
Copied
The "paths" themselves are invisible. The paths are just to direct my animated balls.