Geolayers 3 1.0 -

Data visualization has never been easier. GEOlayers 3 1.0 includes a native spreadsheet reader.

Published: Q2 2024 Review | Version: 1.0 (Initial Release)

In the world of motion graphics, few plugins have generated as much excitement as GEOlayers 3 1.0. Released by aescripts + aeplugins, this isn't merely an incremental update; it is a complete architectural rewrite of the industry-standard mapping tool for Adobe After Effects. Version 1.0 represents a paradigm shift in how animators, journalists, and data visualizers handle geographic data.

If you have ever struggled with sluggish vector maps, clunky keyframing of countries, or the impossibly complex workflow of importing 3D terrain, this version is built to solve your problems.

As a .0 release, users have reported minor quirks, though the developers have been aggressive with patches: GEOlayers 3 1.0

Getting started with GEOlayers 3 1.0 is straightforward, but there are a few prerequisites:

Note for upgraders: GEOlayers 3 1.0 installs as a completely separate plugin. It will not overwrite GEOlayers 2, allowing you to keep legacy projects intact.

Let’s walk through a standard workflow: Animating a route map for a travel vlog.

Step 1: Create a New Composition Set your resolution to 1920x1080, 24fps, 10 seconds long. Data visualization has never been easier

Step 2: Add a GEOlayers Controller Go to Layer > New > GEOlayers 3. A new dialog will appear. Select "Mapbox Satellite" as your base layer.

Step 3: Search for a Location In the "Location" tab, type "Tokyo, Japan." Use the mouse scroll wheel to zoom into Shibuya Crossing.

Step 4: Add Vectors Toggle the "Buildings" layer on. In version 1.0, watch as the 3D building blocks instantly populate the screen.

Step 5: Draw a Route (The "GeoPath" feature) Click the "GeoPath" button. Click once on your starting location (Airport) and once on your destination (Hotel). GEOlayers 3 1.0 will automatically snap the line to the road network (via OpenStreetMap). Note for upgraders: GEOlayers 3 1

Step 6: Styling & Animation

That is a broadcast-ready map animation in under five minutes.

The biggest complaint against GEOlayers 2 was latency. Zooming into a city required downloading a new shapefile. With GEOlayers 3 1.0, the vector data is imported as standard After Effects masks or shape layers. Once imported, you can disconnect from the internet. You can zoom, rotate, and extrude without waiting for a server response.