• Adobe After Effects

  Quickest way to animate a map with multiple dots

  Posted by Jesse Gibson on April 3, 2013 at 1:57 pm

  I’ve got a Illustrator file which contains the map attached below and about 15 coloured dots on different layers which I’ve currently animated on manually to represent cities on the map.

  I’m keen to create an effect of the map gradually (albeit quickly) filling up with the coloured dots (within the bounds of the countries) before transitioning out. Obviously to duplicate and position the dots in Illustrator and then add the layers in AE by hand would be very fiddly and time consuming so I’m wondering if anyone can recommend a better workflow solution. Is it possible to use particle generator effect(s) to create this?

  Thanks
  Jesse

  5762_mapwithdots.jpg.zip

  Jesse Gibson replied 13 years, 2 months ago 3 Members · 3 Replies
• 3 Replies

• 

  Kevin Reiner

  April 3, 2013 at 3:26 pm

  You could probably get something done with “card wipe” or “card dance” rather quickly (if you are familiar with using those plugs). The difficulty would be in getting the alignment done, but after that, there are many options that are easy to get to.

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• 

  Walter Soyka

  April 3, 2013 at 4:22 pm

  [Jesse Gibson] “Obviously to duplicate and position the dots in Illustrator and then add the layers in AE by hand would be very fiddly and time consuming so I’m wondering if anyone can recommend a better workflow solution. Is it possible to use particle generator effect(s) to create this?”

  You could build the multi-color, dotted, regular-grid map very quickly with Trapcode Form.

  You can add them over the uncolored map grid via the effects Kevin mentioned or by building a luma matte for their reveal.

  Walter Soyka
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• 

  Jesse Gibson

  April 5, 2013 at 1:01 pm

  Thanks for the tips guys.

  Wasn’t aware of Trapcode but it’s a great suite so getting busy now working it out.

  Cheers
  Jesse

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