Growing lines in 3D Space… 3D Stroke needed?

[Declan Smith]

One approach would be to use a shape layer to create an arc, add dashes (1) , tweek to suit then animate the offset (2) to get the dashes to move (like marching ants). Then click add (3) while still in the shape layer, and add a trim paths and animate the start/end (4) to suit.

EDIT: Then make it a 3D layer and position it to taste

Declan Smith
https://www.madpanic.tv
After Effects CS5.5/ FCS3 / Canon 7D / Canon XL2 / Reason / Cubase

“it’s either binary or it’s not”

[Declan Smith]

Just to add, you can add the following expressions to animate the dashes and the stroke (alt/option click the stopwatch)

for the Dashes offset:

-timeToFrames(t = time + thisComp.displayStartTime, fps = 4.0 / thisComp.frameDuration, isDuration = false)

You may need to remove the – sign from the beginning depending on which way you want the dashes to travel. Also, to control the speed that they match, change the fps above to suit.

For the Trim Paths End parameter, use a similar expression.

timeToFrames(t = time + thisComp.displayStartTime, fps = 1.0 / thisComp.frameDuration, isDuration = false)

Again, the fps will control the speed of drawing.

Declan Smith
https://www.madpanic.tv
After Effects CS5.5/ FCS3 / Canon 7D / Canon XL2 / Reason / Cubase

“it’s either binary or it’s not”