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Aligning Motion Graphics with GPS for a Qibla Compass Animation
I’ve been working on a personal creative project where I’m trying to integrate real-world directional data into a motion graphics animation in After Effects. Specifically, I’m using GPS data from a Qibla compass tool that calculates the direction of Mecca based on the user’s current location. My idea is to create an animation where an arrow or compass dynamically points towards the qibla direction, depending on where the viewer is situated.
Here’s where I’m running into some challenges:
- Integrating GPS Data into After Effects: I’m familiar with basic data-driven animations in After Effects, like using spreadsheets or JSON files to control elements, but I’m not sure how to bring in real-time GPS data. How can I import or simulate the latitude and longitude data that the Qibla tool provides? Is there a method or plugin in After Effects that allows for this kind of integration?
- Converting GPS Coordinates to Directional Angles: Once I have the GPS data, I’m unsure how to convert the latitude and longitude into a usable angle or direction that the animation can interpret. For example, how do I calculate the angle at which the arrow should point based on the user’s location relative to Mecca? I’ve read that this involves some trigonometry, but I’m not clear on the exact math or how to implement it within After Effects.
- Animating the Compass Needle: After figuring out the correct angle, I want to animate a compass needle or arrow that smoothly transitions as the user’s location changes. I imagine this would involve expressions or scripting in After Effects, but I’m not certain where to start. Are there any recommended techniques or tutorials for creating such an animation? I’m aiming for a realistic, responsive feel, where the needle adjusts as if it were a physical compass.
- Simulating Real-Time Changes: Since the Qibla direction changes based on the user’s location, I’m curious about simulating real-time movement. Even if I’m not pulling live GPS data, is there a way to pre-record a set of locations and have the animation update as if the viewer is moving across those points? This could create a more immersive experience, but I’m not sure how to structure the animation timeline for this.
- Dealing with Projection Distortion: I’m aware that the Earth’s curvature and projection methods can distort directional data, especially over long distances. Should I be concerned about this when animating a Qibla compass? If so, how can I ensure that the directional data remains accurate in the animation?
thanks!
onlinecompass.net
Recherche de direction de la Qibla - Boussole de direction Qibla en ligne et rapide gratuitement
Ce chercheur de Qibla en direct vous aide à trouver la direction de la Kaaba et de la Mecque rapidement et précisément à partir de votre emplacement à l'aide d'une boussole sur votre navigateur.
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1 Reply
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It might be good to know what is the actual animation or video this needs to be overlayed upon ? Are you combining video that is changing perspective (like a point of view of someone woalking around, facing different directions) and you want the direction arrow to update using realtime data that is in sync with the video ?
Or are we talking about something like a topdown view of a worldmap or globe, and you want a vector from different places on this map to point the Qibla direction ?
Can you show a screenshot of what you want to add this too ?
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