map with travel path

Hi,
Not sure where to post this as I don't know what to call this.
You have seen clips where there is a map and then there is a line running across it like the path of somebody's trip. Like a plane's flight pattern right? (me thinks Indy Jones used this when he went to Nepal)
So How do I do that? I have an aerial photo I want to pan with this line marching across on top of it.
Is this an FCP project? or Motion?

thanks
Rick

Motion can do that.

use paint in Motion.
you can try with the Paint Tool itself with " write on " enabled but but it aint very convenient for that

use Bezier Tool, yes... Shape Bezier Tool.

create you path with some points from San Francisco to Katmandou

don't close the shape, don't use " fill" but "contour". The contour will do the trick, (give it some width)

add : Library/Behaviors/Shape/Write on

voilà

---------------------------------
A Day late & a Dollar-short Productions

i've just finished a job doing this travel-map effect . .

1- artwork the map/place names/red line in photoshop

2- export all the elements as separate png layers

3- bring all layers into FCP and using a 4 point matt keyframe a reveal on the red line layer

once complete export as a quicktime, re-import then place over your travel shots, change composite mode to screen or overlay, then using the motion parameters simply keyframe each place name to the centre of the screen. - the end result gives the effect of scanning over the map as the red line appears.

iMovie '09 has a kick ass map generator built-in
[www.kenstone.net]

Dan

imovie has sure come a long way since 1999! a quick-fix but pretty cool . . .

Maps are always lame because when people think of a map, they think it can't be "done up" to be interesting... so the maps just sit there and a line just wipes on. BOR-ING. I would do this in After Effects (you can use Motion if you don't have AE) making a 3D layer out of the map itself and laying it down on an angle af if you are flying over it and using either Photoshop or illutsrator to draw a stroked path with the pen tool. That would also be a 3D layer that reveals itself over the map like it's shooting up into the air and down to it's destination. You can use multiple stroked paths to make it zig-zag in space. Add some clouds on the space. Be creative. People will say "wow, that is cool!"

If it's not a big deal, Dan's suggestion will be fine.

When life gives you dilemmas...make dilemmanade.

Joey,
Would love to see you write a tutorial article on your method. It sounds like a great way to do it.
Steve

steve-sharksdelight

Yeah, I second that! I got some maps I need to produce in the coming months.

I don't have a method Steve. I think in pictures then use the software to shape my visions. 90% of the time, I can't tell you how I did it...I have to break down the project then I go "...is that how I did that? I don't remember doing that...!". I use all aspects of the software & plug-ins to achieve an image or a moving image. I don't use it like the book tells you to use it. I shape the images until I am pleased (and the client is pleased, of course). It's like asking a painter for a tutorial. That's why I do consulting work...because I can work with someone one-on-one, but I do not write tutorials.

I did play with a map I downloaded from the internet...will post a Vimeo video as soon as the "waiting period" clears in 45 minutes

When life gives you dilemmas...make dilemmanade.

Excellent, well worth seeing. Look at it as a way to stretch yourself. Imagine you were teaching someone to do the same thing. You just jot down the steps and viola, you have your tutorial.
Loved what you did. Now to figure it out.
Steve

steve-sharksdelight

...a clean version on Vimeo:





After Effects CS4 / camera / 2 lights / a stroked path / a jpg

Very basic stuff arranged to look not-so-basic. Your clients will love you for the effort.

I should prep projects like this and package them on a DVD for sale. Some mods and other members all have stuff for sale in their signatures. Hmmm.........

When life gives you dilemmas...make dilemmanade.

Wow, Joey!

I just watched your Demo reel and the Tiburon thing. That's truly excellent work. The Tiburon piece is riveting.

Much respect.

Harry.

Thank you harry...nice of you to say

When life gives you dilemmas...make dilemmanade.

Many thanks for the wonderful ideas guys!
That's why I check in from time to time.

Rick

I am also in the need of some decent maps, any recommended sources?
Steve

steve-sharksdelight

The Perry-Castañeda Library at UT is the canonical source for vintage maps. Most of the maps in their online collection are in the public domain, but be fastidious about checking the rights.

Thanks, appreciate the info.
Steve

steve-sharksdelight

Keep in mind...the map I used in that animation was a huge .jpg (2500 x 2500). That's not big enough if you want to do a galactic zoom right down to street level. I wouldn't even recommend using jpgs at all as artifacts become visible and they're just plain ugly when they do. You need an EPS map and activate "Continuous Rasterization" on the After Effects layer. That forces the EPS vector image to stay sharp no matter how close you get to it with the camera.

As far as finding images, GOOGLE is your friend (it's how I found the map I used in the sample animation):

[www.publicdomainsherpa.com]

When life gives you dilemmas...make dilemmanade.

Joe, Wow, those EPS vector maps are expensive! Thanks for all the info. I bookmarked everything
Steve

steve-sharksdelight