Two way scatter plot with time dimension I am plotting GDP against exports for 134 countries. I have data for three years. For each year I can easily plot these scatter dots and see the relative country positions but I am interested in the change in positions in the graph for each country. In other words, I'd ideally like to plot GDP against exports for all countries for three years in one graph with smooth lines connecting three years for each country showing how their relative positions changed overtime. below is an example of such graph in 2D.
Assume exports in on X axis and GDP is on Y axis then arrows will suggest how position of each country changed over time in the graph. countries on top right corner will show high level of exports and high level of GDP and vice versa. I am interested in figuring out how countries change their long term growth strategies over time w.r.t exports share in GDP. Any idea how to do this?

 A: You should be able to do exactly this by downloading the free Gapminder software, or even by using it in the cloud.  Here's an example using data not from 3 points in time but from up to 35:

Alternatively, you will have greater control, and will be able to use whatever data you like, if you learn how to use 
Google Charts in conjunction with R.  Both are free as well, but R at least is not a simple matter to learn.  See the demo under "Examples."
A: I think if you plot lines connecting the three dots, in order (1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year), with a different color for each country, and the same shapes for each year across all countries (filled circle for year 1, filled square for year 2, filled triangle for year 3), it will be a lot simpler to follow. 
A: Tableau Software can easily do this. Build a stand art scatter plot with the two measures, then place a date on the pages shelf to animate the viz ala Gapminder.
A: You could also take GDP/export as a (calculated) measure in itself and use parallel coordinates for the 3 years. This would be the clearest representation. Drawback: it does not in itself show the difference between countries with high GDP and high export, versus those with lore GDP and low export. If you want that information as well, you might (a) use opacity for that, or (b) just add an additional coordinate (vertical line) with the average GDP over the 3 years.
