Say hello to Animated Line Drawing, our latest update to everviz Maps designed to bring movement and storytelling to your data like never before.
Animated Routes make it simple to visualize how things travel from one place to another, helping audiences instantly understand flows, patterns, and progression — whether by air, sea, or land.
See it in action: The NYC Marathon
To show you what’s possible, we’ve mapped out the iconic NYC Marathon route. Notice how the line doesn’t just appear; it follows the runners’ progress from Staten Island through the five boroughs, eventually finishing in Central Park. This adds a layer of pacing and narrative that a static line simply can’t capture.
Why Animated Routes?
Maps often show where things are, but static lines can’t show how they move.
With Animated Routes, you can now add motion, timing, and direction, turning your maps into dynamic, easy-to-follow narratives. This feature is perfect for visualizing:
- Complex journeys
- Directional movement that needs to be followed in a sequence
- Sequential or time-based events where the “when” is as important as the “where”.
What You Can Show with Animated Routes
Animated Routes lets you bring any path to life. Whether you are manually drawing a path or importing data via GeoJSON, KML, or GPX, you can visualize:
- Flight patterns ✈️ — illustrate air traffic flows, airline routes, or historical flight paths.
- Shipping routes 🚢 — map global trade, logistics networks, or maritime transport corridors.
- Evacuation routes during emergencies ‼️ — clearly communicate safe paths and movement during crises or disasters.
- Athletic journeys 🏃 — Follow the exact path of a marathon or cycling stage as it happens.
Each route animates along its path, making direction and progression immediately understandable.
Clarifying Complex Events: Flight Diversions Animated Routes are incredibly effective for breaking news. For a flight from Bergen to Ålesund that had to turn back due to technical issues, a static map can look cluttered and confusing. By animating the path, you can show the exact moment the aircraft changed course. This gives your audience a clear, chronological view of the incident as it unfolded.
Designed for Storytelling
Animated Routes are built to enhance map-based storytelling:
- Emphasize movement and direction: Show exactly where a journey starts and ends.
- Reduce visual clutter: Animated paths help guide the eye, making complex maps feel cleaner than those with static overlays.
- Guide viewers’ attention step-by-step
- Complete Sync: Work seamlessly alongside other map layers, markers, and timeline animations.
Whether you’re explaining global trends or local events, Animated Routes transform your maps into compelling, informative stories.
Available now
Are you new to everviz? Request a trial or book a demo to see how our animated maps can transform your data storytelling.
