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Lines Connection

Create procedural lines between selected layers. Choose connection graphs (Star, Chain, K-Nearest, Random, etc.), line styles (Arc/Wavy/Zigzag…), and control color, distance-based fading, and optional trim per layer—all organized automatically into grouped connections.

v1.6.2 AE CC 2022+
Lines Connection

Overview

Lines Connection generates procedural lines between selected layers (including Lights) using a single clean Shape Layer setup.

Pick how layers connect (star, chain, nearest neighbors, etc.), choose a line style (straight, arc, curve, wavy, zigzag, spring, rope, elbow), set up drivers (distance, opacity, scale) to control behavior, and apply effects to opacity, stroke width, and color — all while keeping everything organized in one grouped structure.

Features

  • Connect AV layers and Lights using one Shape Layer
  • 6 connection graphs
  • 8 line styles
  • Color modes
  • 3 Drivers (combinable)
  • Apply To
  • Optional Trim controls
  • Auto-resolves duplicate layer names
  • Outputs a single Shape Layer: "Lines Connection — " with one group per connection

How to Use

1. Select at least two layers (AV or Light).

2. Choose a Connection mode: - Star / All-to-all / Chain / Loop / Random / K-Nearest - Random: set Max lines per node - K-Nearest: set K

3. Choose a Line Style: - Straight - Arc → Curvature - Curve → Curve Intensity / Curve Flip - Wavy → Amplitude / Segments - Zigzag → Amplitude / Segments - Spring → Amplitude / Segments / Spring Ellipse - Rope → Sag Strength / Wiggle / Bend Distance - Elbow → Bias

4. Choose a Color mode: - Single / Gradient (Between) / Gradient (Along) / Random Palette - For Gradient (Along): use Reverse Gradient and adjust via “Gradient Colors”.

5. (Optional) Enable Drivers: - Distance / Opacity / Scale - Combine Mode: Multiply / Min / Max / Average

6. (Optional) Choose Apply To: - Opacity / Stroke Width / Color - For Color: set Fade To Color

7. (Optional) Enable Trim: - Choose Side (Start/End) - Enable Trim for Each Layer to add “LC Trim %” per target layer

8. Click Connect to generate “Lines Connection — ” with groups like “Line A↔B”.

Notes

  • For large selections, K-Nearest is usually cleaner and faster than All-to-all.
  • Multiple drivers can be combined for complex behaviors — use Multiply for strict control, Max for lenient results.
  • Color fade works with Single, Gradient Between, and Fixed palette modes (not Gradient Along).
  • If you rename layers later, the tool’s name-resolving helps keep connections stable and readable.

Tags

linepointconnectchainnodetargetdistancematrixropespringarc