Flash 8: Projects for Learning Animation and Interactivity

Chapter 7. More Animation Techniques

In this chapter

Morphing with Shape Tweens

Frame-by-Frame Animation

Using Masks

Timeline Versus ActionScript Animation

Although motion tweening will likely be the most common animation technique you use in the timeline, there are several other techniques and tools that can help you animate in Flash. This chapter’s project calls for you to create an animated advertisement for the sale of a home, and it will give you experience with some of these techniques.

Morphing with Shape Tweens

As you’ve seen in prior chapters, motion tweens are typically used when you want to move or manipulate a symbol over time. You can change many properties of a symbol instance during a motion tween, but by the very nature of symbols, you can’t radically alter their…shapes.

If a bell is ringing in your head, you’re on the right track. Shapes are not instances or references to other objects, and they can be altered. Shape tweens, similar in creation to motion tweens, allow you to do so over time. Here’s a simple example:

1. Create a new Flash document and save it as shape_tween.fla in the 07 folder.

2. Select the Rectangle tool, pick a fill color, and draw a square of approximately 90 x 90 pixels near the left center of the Stage.

3. Add a blank keyframe to frame 12 using the F7 key

4. Select the Oval tool, pick a contrasting fill color, and draw a circle of approximately 90 x 90 pixels near the right center of the Stage.

5. As you would with a motion tween, select the ...