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.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#aftereffects #tutorial #network ‪@AdobeVideo‬

Chapters
0:00 What we're going to make
0:49 Just with shape layers
6:03 Element 3D version


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get ShiveringCactus VFX as phone cases, T-shirts, mugs: https://www.redbubble.com/people/Shiv...

Or buy me a coffee: https://ko-fi.com/shiveringcactus

I'm an Adobe Community Expert - which means you can find me on the Adobe forums if you need any help. https://community.adobe.com/t5/after-...

#AdobeCommunityExperts