4 Replies Latest reply on Jul 17, 2012 12:47 PM by chris georgenes

Best way to animate a line with a dot leading along a path

kim shep Jul 17, 2012 9:14 AM

I need to animate a line along a path with a circle in front of it. Basically an 'i' path with the tail extending. Similar to the shape in this image http://www.ravishankar.me/images/intro/skelta-connect2.png

Ive tried:

Using and animating a shape tween, its very time consuming and would only really work without the dot

Using a mask doesnt seem to work either as its not a basic line

And making it a symbol on a path in a motion tween also doesnt follow the line to how i need it

Any suggestions please!?

1. Re: Best way to animate a line with a dot leading along a path

Ned Murphy Jul 17, 2012 10:15 AM (in response to kim shep)

You could do a frame by frame animation. The easiest way to do it is to work the animation backwards along the timeline, removing a piece of the line (and moving the dot) in each frame and then reversing the frames when you are done.
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2. Re: Best way to animate a line with a dot leading along a path

chris georgenes Jul 17, 2012 10:31 AM (in response to Ned Murphy)

In addition to Kglad's suggestion, I would separate the dot from the line on to its own layer. Convert the dot to a symbol and motion tween it. As for the line, use the frame by frame method Kglad mentioned or an animated mask.
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3. Re: Best way to animate a line with a dot leading along a path

Ned Murphy Jul 17, 2012 11:55 AM (in response to chris georgenes)

pssst... I'm not kGlad
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4. Re: Best way to animate a line with a dot leading along a path

chris georgenes Jul 17, 2012 12:47 PM (in response to Ned Murphy)

Oops! I swear it showed you as Kglad when I first posted that - ok, i'm old, chaulk it up to tired eyes. Sorry Ned!!!
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