How to create looping beads around an object?

[Deaf_Guy]

Hope someone can help. I'm going to recreate this image below:

And then on different layers have the blue and red rings on them. I need to then be able to have the beads follow the ring path in a looping animated sequence. I'm OK with AfterEffects but just can't seem to figure out how to do it for this one. I cannot write script either so it will have to be within the AE framework.

Can anyone suggest how to do this for me please? Thank you.

[Mylenium · Accepted solution]

1. Create a Null layer
2. Create your beads
3. Copy & paste a circular mask to the motion paths of the beads
4. Adjust the timing
5. Parent the beads to the Null
6. Rotate the Null to move the whole circle of beads
7. Rinse repeat for other elements, including a layer that holds a copy of the path with a stroke for that glowy effect

This works both in 3D and 2D and you may want to use additional options like auto-orient (to path or to camera) to get an even more perfect illusion.

Mylenium

1.  

[Deaf_Guy]

Thanks for your help much appreciated. I drew some motion and it seems to work well but I just can't figure out how to make it go around the blue body. I'm practicing with basic shapes and you can download what I have below:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1-pqY_0mOeX9S5_KElexfqjrfqWyBYddx/view

I'm terrible with masks so that's what I'm having trouble with. Any help is appreciated.

[Deaf_Guy]

Just following up on this. Can't seem to figure out how to make the blue circle "orbit" in front of and behind the green box with either a mask or matte?