user14334: I'm new to After Effects and wondering how that's possible to animate opening for this map so each dot appears individually? I know how to make the opening using the mask but it shows the edges while I'd like to have "popping one by one dots" animation.Please see image below:

user11523: This tutorial can help you:



You will find there how to make dotted effect from scratch (use outlines of the map). Then you shall add some key-frames for animation.
To make dots appear more random, you can use Fractal Noise as animated mask. 
Good luck!

user5347: Check this out:
http://misterhorse.tv/new-feature-stagger-layers/
Let's you randomize the order layers appear in.

user14334: I ended up animating this map manually. The easiest way to me was to animate dots frame by frame in Flash and import movie to AE.

14334: <p>I'm new to After Effects and wondering how that's possible to animate opening for this map so each dot appears individually? I know how to make the opening using the mask but it shows the edges while I'd like to have "popping one by one dots" animation.Please see image below:<a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/tGeLh.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/tGeLh.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>
 11523: <p>This tutorial can help you:</p>

<p><div class="youtube-embed"><div>
                <iframe width="640px" height="395px" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YMOHNfAoHJw?start=0"></iframe>
            </div></div></p>

<p>You will find there how to make dotted effect from scratch (use outlines of the map). Then you shall add some key-frames for animation.</p>

<p>To make dots appear more random, you can use Fractal Noise as animated mask. </p>

<p>Good luck!</p>
 5347: <p>Check this out:
<a href="http://misterhorse.tv/new-feature-stagger-layers/" rel="nofollow">http://misterhorse.tv/new-feature-stagger-layers/</a></p>

<p>Let's you randomize the order layers appear in.</p>
 14334: <p>I ended up animating this map manually. The easiest way to me was to animate dots frame by frame in Flash and import movie to AE.</p>
