Connected network of dots in After Effects (2 ways)
Two different ways to make interconnected dots and lines.
In this video, I take a look I've seen a lot in videos and break down how to achieve a connected network or nexus of points / dots which vibrate slowly. A lot of people have asked how to do this sort of effect and the usual answer on forums is the Plexus plugin. While that's obviously an option for some, if you don't have the spare money there are a couple of other ways which yield similar results.
For the first approach I use Shapes on a single shape layer and the createPath expression to link them all together and while the expression is complex, once you have it it's easy to add more and more dots. The second technique uses @VideoCopilot Element 3D and its distortion options to create the network of lines then a point cloud to create the dots.
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Expressions
Wiggle expression:
X = wiggle(effect("Frequency")("Slider"),thisComp.width*effect("X amplitude")("Slider")/100)[0];
Y = wiggle(effect("Frequency")("Slider"),thisComp.height*effect("Y amplitude")("Slider")/100)[1];
[X,Y]
Shape 1's expression - replace the LESS_THAN with the left chevron / angled bracket:
var points = [];
for (var i = 1; i LESS_THAN content("Shape 1").propertyIndex-1; i++) {
points[i-1] = content("Ellipse "+i).transform.position;
}
createPath(points = points, inTangents = [], outTangents = [], isClosed = true)
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#aftereffects #tutorial #network @AdobeVideo
Chapters
0:00 What we're going to make
0:49 Just with shape layers
6:03 Element 3D version
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Пікірлер: 27
Plexus Nexus, sounds like a magic class from Harry Potter, thank you Prof ShiveringCactus!
@ShiveringCactus
Жыл бұрын
Commentious Welcomiosa!
Love your tuts. Even if I don't do them all, I always pick up something that helps me in other projects. So, Mr. Plexis Nexsis, thanks a lot!
@ShiveringCactus
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, comments like this mean a lot to me. Very nice to meet you, Rich White
plexus nexus.. this was a good one to think about.. thank you.
@ShiveringCactus
Жыл бұрын
Haha, thank you and nice to meet you
Amazing!! that u used element 3D
@ShiveringCactus
Жыл бұрын
VC Element remains my “go to” plug-in.
Awesome tut. Plexus Nexus ;-)
@ShiveringCactus
Жыл бұрын
Hey…. You posted the thing! Thank you. And nice to meet you.
Clever 🙂
@ShiveringCactus
Жыл бұрын
I try. I fail most of the time, but every so often…
Bah! plexus nexus! The E3d version looks the nicest and with some other effects would look quite stunning.
@ShiveringCactus
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for commenting! I agree with you about Element, but at the same time, I was quite pleased with solving the coding problem for the 2D version.
You are doing such a good work, thank you so much for all. I have a problem while trying to recreate that amazing effect: my problem is that when I scroll the video for preview the dots are connected, but when I play the video the dots are no longer connected. How can I fix this? That will mean a lot for me, thank you in advance!
@ShiveringCactus
4 ай бұрын
Thank you. It’s hard to tell what the issue might be, drop me a line using the contact form on my website shiveringcactus.net. We can swap emails and project files.
Hi, this is so great thank you! I was wondering if I wanted the circles to be different colors? Randomize from a palette
@ShiveringCactus
10 ай бұрын
Yes you can! And it's really cool. And this expression to the shape's transform opacity: ----------------------------------------------------- groupIndex = thisProperty.propertyGroup(2).propertyIndex*5 ----------------------------------------------------- This identifies the number of the shape (ellipse 1, ellipse 2 etc...) and uses that to set the opacity of the shape. So they fade up. I've added a *5 so you can see what's going on more easily. Then duplicate your ellipse as in the tutorial. Then on the layer, apply the Colorama effect. Set the Input's Get Phase From to Alpha. All the shapes will be solid in rainbow colours.
@Liliana063086
10 ай бұрын
Thank you!!
Thanks for the tutorial! Have a quick question though, what if you want some of the lines disconnect and connect to a different point while moving? How should I go about doing that?
@ShiveringCactus
3 ай бұрын
That’s a very good question. I can think of a few ways…you can convert expressions to keyframes or you could split the layers and change the order as needed (might want to precomp). Or you could have the running in the background and fake the connection changes with extra dots over the top.
you can also do this in the tao plugin, just random form + wireframe shader
@ShiveringCactus
Жыл бұрын
I’ve never used Tao, and while I hear good things, now that it’s part of the Maxon subscription, I doubt I’ll get the chance.
Plexus Nexus
@ShiveringCactus
Жыл бұрын
Thank you, nice to meet you.
plexus nexus
@ShiveringCactus
Ай бұрын
Yay! Thank you. Hope you found this useful.