Thanks so much, really appreciate the tips and the files. I'm off to tinker with those now. thanks again.

Hey all I'm trying to create a particular (no pun intended) look in after effects. Basically a sphere which looks like the attached but animates. I want the spheres circle shapes to conform to the surface of a sphere and to flock and flow in waves across the surface. I've been playing in particular trying to get this effect but so far no joy. Anyone with any ideas? Any help would be much appreciated.

https://ibb.co/mJkj3nP