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Dots connected by lines, created with the "Network" template for After Effects
Lens flare effect for Network template

NETWORK
For Adobe After Effects

Lens flare element

Download for

$25

After Effects | Connect Dots & Lines - 'Network' for Motion Design
Lens flare reflection

What is it?

Network lets users create and animate 3D networks of dots and connecting lines in Adobe After Effects. It’s "connect the dots" for grown-ups – perfect for network visualizations, tech-inspired motion graphics, audio visualizers, or low-count particle animations.

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Create groups of points and assign them dynamic formations and movements using simple controls, then link them with a variety of lines such as dotted, lightning, light beams, or audio-driven waveforms. Intuitive controls allow for quick and easy customization. Built natively in After Effects from shape layers, customization for Network extends as far as AE's own capabilities.

Create animated networks of dots and connecting lines!
(MAJOR 2025 UPDATE!)

Network Tutorial After Effects play.jpg

Learn how to create and connect multiple point groups, use audio-driven waveforms, and make 3D network animations.

Looking for the original "Network" tutorial?
Watch it here

Vanishing Point.jpg
  • Slider–Driven Animation - Create complex formations and movements of your points procedurally with simple controls.​​​

    • Spread & Wiggle – Randomly scatter, assemble, or wiggle individual points.

    • Grid Spacing – Arrange points evenly in a 2D or 3D grid.​

    • Position Along Path – Position points along a path drawn with the Pen tool, or from an animated mask.

    • Delayed Position – Assign a "leader layer", and points will follow to create 3D swarming behavior or moving trails of connected points.

    • Repeller – Assign a "repeller layer" to attract or push points away on any axis.

    • Manual Control – For complete control, you can manually position points in 3D space to create specific formations or shapes.​​​​ Or parent them to a Null object to unlock even more ways to control and move points, while maintaining line connections.​​

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  • Easy Customization - The default points and lines are made with shape layers, allowing you to add shape effects that affect their paths. Customize their basic properties like size, stroke, and fill using simple controls. 

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  • Multiple Network Options - With both a 2D and 3D comp, and streamlined versions of each, you can choose the network that meets your needs, while optimizing speed for animations that require a higher point-count.​​

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  • ​Use Your Own Graphics - A point precomp allows you to use your own artwork or animation as your point. Easily attach additional text or graphics to points by parenting. Connect any layers (not just points) with custom lines.

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  • Audio Visualizer - Your lines can react to your audio using the Audio Spectrum or Audio Waveform effects, allowing you to create unique audio visualizer animations.

Features

lens flare highlight
Abstract network of dots and lightning lines, made in Adobe After Effects with "Network"
Anamorphic flare and connected particles

Need to Know

  • The 2025 update of this template is compatible with Adobe After Effects 2020 (version 17) and all later versions. The original version  of the template, with less features, is included in the download and is compatible with AE CS5 and up. Works in both Windows and macOS. No plugins required.

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  • All comps are HD, 1920x1080, but the network effect will work just as well in vertical formats, 4K, or any other resolution. 

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  • The network font seen in the demo video is not a feature of the template, and was made by manually positioning the points to form the characters. 

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  • There is no hard limit to how many dots and lines you can add, but it should not be used for animations with over a thousand points, because it would run too slow.  A couple hundred or less is ideal. The different network options allow you to optimize speed vs. features.

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  • This template has been "universalized", so it will work in After Effects running in any language.

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  • Last Update: Sept 3, 2025​

Complex network of connecting lines and dots made in Adobe After Effects with the "Network" template.
3D animation of particles with lines connecting the dots, made in After Effects

The Network template is not a plugin, so there is nothing to install. Rather, it's an Adobe After Effects project file, commonly known as a "template" because most of the work is already done and the user needs only to make their own customizations. This template is compatible with version 17 (2020) as well as all later versions of After Effects.

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Network contains copyrighted intellectual property. The animations you create with this product are 100% yours and can be used for commercial purposes, but the sharing or online posting of project files with or for anyone other than a client is prohibited. See the Terms and Conditions for more details.

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Positive and/or negative feedback is appreciated. Use the contact page to send me a message.

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