---
title: "Arcs and overlap"
description: "Lesson 4.3 of Creator Terminal's lesson films (Motion principles): Make a move feel alive: bend its path into an arc and let a smaller part lag behind."
canonical: "https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/arcs-overlap/"
last_updated: 2026-10-27
---

# Arcs and overlap

> Lesson 4.3 of Creator Terminal's lesson films (Motion principles): Make a move feel alive: bend its path into an arc and let a smaller part lag behind.

- The film (1:52): https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/media/4.3-arcs-overlap/7677bf73ad1d/4.3-arcs-overlap.mp4
- Vertical cut: https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/media/4.3-arcs-overlap/83d6133d5fd6/4.3-arcs-overlap-vertical.mp4
- Captions: https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/media/4.3-arcs-overlap/8f4675c1e132/4.3-arcs-overlap.vtt
- The page: https://terminal.lottiefiles.com/arcs-overlap/

## In this lesson

### A rigid move (0:06)

First, let's watch the parts together. Press zero, then space. They move and stop together, like one rigid piece. Press space to pause. A swinging arm usually curves; loose parts trail behind.

### Bend the path (0:22)

We want a sweeping path. Press zero, then click the coral leader. Drag its dark handle upwards. Click the far diamond, then drag its handle upwards too. This arc suggests the sweep of a hand.

### Choose Follow (0:38)

The tail needs that curve too. Click the green tail. Press colon, type follow, then press return to choose Follow.

### Pick the leader (0:48)

The coral part will lead. Click the coral leader as the source. In the rail, click more below. Its Follow row now names the leader, so changes to the leader's move reach the tail too.

### Add a delay (1:02)

Let's let the tail lag behind. Click Delay. Type zero point two, then press return. That is six frames of delay, so it begins and finishes a little later.

### Watch the overlap (1:15)

Let's watch the parts loosen up. Click empty stage. Press zero, then space. The leader curves upwards. The tail arrives afterwards. That is overlap: the parts finish at different times. Press space to pause.

### Connected motion (1:32)

Choose a path that fits the action. Let softer parts lag a little. A curved move with different finishing times can suggest flexibility, even with two circles.