<p>This is a tricky one to do without plugins.  I've used <a href="https://aescripts.com/connect-layers/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">ConnectLayersPro</a> to achieve this kind of thing, with the curves set to Step mode:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/SmiIL.gif" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/SmiIL.gif" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>If anyone knows how to do it using expressions (and maybe the built in Beam plugin?) I'd love to know.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2023-04-30T06:48:21.267Z
2023-04-30T06:48:21.267Z
tomh
<p>I am trying to simulate a node graph like <a href="https://www.usenodl.dev/" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this</a> where a path with 4 points (start, 2 middle, end) adapts to the movement of an object connected to the start and end:</p>
<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/Vt4BD.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/Vt4BD.png" alt="enter image description here" /></a></p>
<p>If you move a node at the link above you can see this demonstrated. So far I've followed <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NZCj8vVZZM" rel="nofollow noreferrer">this tutorial using a beam</a> but this is 2 points - not 4 - with no support for curved paths.</p>
<p>How can I simulate this node graph effect?</p>

<after-effects><animation>
How to make a 4 point path follow an object at either end? (How to make a fake node graph)?
UserDude
# How to make a 4 point path follow an object at either end? (How to make a fake node graph)?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2023-04-30)

I am trying to simulate a node graph like [this](https://www.usenodl.dev/) where a path with 4 points (start, 2 middle, end) adapts to the movement of an object connected to the start and end:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/Vt4BD.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/Vt4BD.png)

If you move a node at the link above you can see this demonstrated. So far I've followed [this tutorial using a beam](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NZCj8vVZZM) but this is 2 points - not 4 - with no support for curved paths.

How can I simulate this node graph effect?

**Tags:** after-effects, animation


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2023-04-30. Score: 0

This is a tricky one to do without plugins. I've used [ConnectLayersPro](https://aescripts.com/connect-layers/) to achieve this kind of thing, with the curves set to Step mode:

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/SmiIL.gif)](https://i.sstatic.net/SmiIL.gif)

If anyone knows how to do it using expressions (and maybe the built in Beam plugin?) I'd love to know.


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