How To Animate A Data Chart
Duration: 09:29
Step 1 - Preparing The Guide And Target Path
Begin by treating the top pink graph as a temporary visual guide that defines the final shape of the animation. Open the pink SVG group and locate the path that corresponds to the blue line you want to animate. Select this blue path, as it will be the element that morphs into the shape of the guide.
Step 2 - Creating And Shaping The Morph Animation
Add a morph animation to the selected blue path. Using the node tool, carefully move each node of the blue path until it matches the contour of the pink graph above.
Step 3 - Offsetting The Morph Timing
Move the morph animation later in the timeline so it does not occur immediately. The exact timing can be adjusted later, but the morph should clearly follow an introductory action rather than lead the sequence.
Step 4 - Animating The Label Entrance
Select the SVG label group that contains the text and rectangle. Add both position and opacity animations to the entire group. Leave a short pause at the beginning of the timeline. Set the opacity to start at zero and animate it to full visibility. For position, animate the label from a lower starting point up to its final location. Apply an ease-out back curve to introduce a small bounce, reverse the keyframes so the motion plays correctly, and slightly shorten the duration to keep the movement snappy.
Step 5 - Establishing Animation Order And Cursor Motion
Select the cursor and animate its position using the transform tool. Set an initial position lower than the final one, then animate it upward so it appears to grab and lift the graph toward its final placement. This movement visually motivates the graph’s transition.
Step 6 - Moving The Ellipses With The Graph
Since the ellipses must travel upward together with the graph, animate their position starting at the same moment the cursor begins moving. Select all ellipses and add position animations. At the final position, copy the Y-position value from each corresponding pink ellipse and paste it into the matching blue ellipse. Repeat this process for all fifteen ellipses so they align correctly once the graph reaches its destination.
Step 7 - Hiding Guide Elements At The Start
Locate the pink line and adjust its stroke offset so it is fully hidden in the initial frame. Set the opacity of all pink ellipses to zero as well. These elements were only used for alignment and should remain invisible until their reveal animation begins.
Step 8 - Revealing The Pink Stroke With Variation
Select the pink path and add a stroke offset animation. Animate the offset from its hidden value back to zero so the line appears to draw itself. If the motion feels too fast, extend the duration slightly. Add a stroke width animation to enhance visual interest, starting at a wider value, narrowing it briefly midway, and returning it to the original width by the end.
Step 9 - Animating The Pink Ellipses In Sequence
Select all pink ellipses and animate their opacity starting at the same frame as the stroke offset animation. Begin with opacity at zero and then change it to full visibility so all ellipses receive the update at once. Reorder the ellipses so they follow the path logically, then offset each ellipse’s opacity keyframe by a small amount so they appear one after another, following the stroke as it draws.
Step 10 - Fading Out The Blue Elements
Once the pink stroke animation reaches the end, fade out the blue line and blue ellipses. Add opacity animations to both, transitioning from full visibility to zero.
This technique can be extended to other illustrations, allowing you to replicate the process.
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