# create an animated line This is a cool trick to create an animated line. You can make a line that draws itself over time or make a section of line flow along a path. Happily, this is a pretty easy trick to set up in After Effects. To create an animated line… 1. Draw a vector shape using the Pen Tool 2. Adjust the shape to have a Stroke thickness and color but no Fill 3. In the Timeline, go to the **Add** menu under the **Contents** section of the layer and choose **Trim Paths** ![[Pasted image 20221117164407.png]] 1. Scroll down to see the Trim Paths options ![[Pasted image 20221117164635.png]] 2. You can Keyframe both Start and End as needed to create a moving line. Don’t forget to Easy-Ease. --- Learn more… - [Animate a line along a path you create in After Effects YouTube video from andrew pach](https://youtu.be/BYWGWATVWVI) - [How To Animate A Line In After Effects YouTube video from Motion Array Tutorials](https://youtu.be/9Qz4Nldjv6I) - [Animating Lines and Arrows in After Effects YouTube video from Tech Infusion](https://youtu.be/IPNJxAC-WLk) - this version adds a null object so you can add an arrow on the end of the line --- tags: #aftereffects #resources home: [[! after effects]]