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BLBlenderC4DCinema 4D

Line Connection

by liuran·Motion Graphics

Images © liuran. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Line Connection earns a place in the toolfarm library for turning object selections into controllable connection lines, handling ripple objects, per-element color modes and two-key animation timing within a single setup.

What is Line Connection?

Line Connection is a Cinema 4D tool that generates connection lines between selected objects, following the order in which they're selected. You can connect objects in order or connect them separately, which suits infographics, animated maps and similar work.

Each line comes with a handle for controls, and every point automatically generates a ripple object. You can set thickness and density, switch between dashed and solid lines, and adjust the number of segments on ripple objects. In Bezier mode, the curvature of the line can be adjusted. Control objects can follow the start and end objects as they move, and both line and ripple objects take separate colors, set to either diffuse or luminous mode.

Connection start and end times are set in the animation panel with just two keys, and connections can be generated randomly or limited to a set number of lines. The Dissolve option adds an on/off fading effect to the ripples. It supports Cinema 4D versions from R19 through 2024.

Who is Line Connection best for?

Line Connection is best for creating infographics, animated maps, and other work built from connection lines between selected objects in Cinema 4D.

How much does Line Connection cost?

Line Connection is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • Connects objects in the selected order, or connects them separately
  • Each line has a control handle, and each point automatically generates a ripple object
  • Controls for thickness, density, and dashed or solid lines
  • Adjustable ripple segment count, plus line curvature in Bezier mode
  • Control objects can follow the start and end objects as they move
  • Separate colors for line and ripple objects, set to diffuse or luminous mode
  • Random connection generation with control over the number of lines, plus start and end timing set with two keys

Tags

#Cinema 4D#Motion Graphics#Infographics#Animated Maps#Connection Lines#Ripple Objects#Animation

Frequently asked questions

Which Cinema 4D versions does Line Connection support?

Line Connection is compatible with Cinema 4D 2024, 2023, S26, R25, R24, R23, S22, R21, R20 and R19, covering a long span of releases from R19 up to 2024. If you move between older and newer projects, that range means the tool should fit most current Cinema 4D setups. Check the developer's page to confirm details for your exact build before installing, since support lists can change between updates.

What does the Dissolve option in Line Connection do?

Line Connection includes a Dissolve option that adds a fading effect to the ripple objects generated at each point. You can switch this fade on or off. It was added as a newer feature, alongside the plugin's existing controls for ripple segments, thickness, density and color, so the fade applies to the ripples the tool already creates for every connection point.

How do you animate connections in Line Connection?

Line Connection lets you control the start and end time of a connection in the animation panel using only two keys. You set when the connection begins and when it ends, which keeps the timing setup compact rather than requiring many intermediate keyframes. It's built for animating the connection lines drawn between your selected objects, which fits the infographics and animated maps the plugin is aimed at.

How does Line Connection handle colors for lines and ripples?

Line Connection lets you control the colors of the line and the ripple objects separately, so each can be set independently. For both, you can define whether they use diffuse or luminous mode. Combined with controls for thickness, density, dashed or solid lines, and the number of segments on ripple objects, this gives per-element control over how a connection looks, all set within the same tool that generates the lines.

Can Line Connection generate connections randomly?

Line Connection can randomly generate connections between objects, and it lets you control the number of lines that are randomly created. Alongside random generation, you can connect objects in the selected order or connect them separately, so there are several ways to build the connections. Each line still has a handle for controls, and each point automatically generates a ripple object regardless of how the connection is created.

Alternatives to Line Connection

Also in Motion Graphics for Blender.

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