Using Layers

4. Using Layers

This technique is used to create a pattern or symbol to represent a company or team, for example the Olympics.

How do I create this technique?

• Open up Flash.
• When Flash has loaded, click on ActionScript 2.0.
• Draw a circle in the top right hand corner and make it blue.
• Add another Layer, by right clicking Layer 1 and clicking add Layer.
• Draw another circle at the centre at the top and make it black.
• Add another Layer and draw another circle at the top right corner and make it red.
• Add another Layer and again draw another circle in the bottom left hand corner and make it yellow.
• Add one more last Layer and draw another circle in the bottom right hand corner and this time make it green.

• On Layer 1 highlight the frames from one to eighty and right click and click on insert Keyframe.
• Move the circle from the original place to about centre top left.
• Repeat this with all the other Layers, from 2 to 5.
• Black- Centre top middle.
• Red- Centre top right.
• Yellow- Centre bottom left.
• Green- Centre bottom right.

• At the end of each Layer, highlight from eighty to about ninety and right click and insert Keyframe.

Advantages/Disadvantages?...

• A disadvantage would be that there are too many steps for people to follow and people might get confused and lost but an advantage would be that when people do know how to use this technique it is easy and simple and not that hard but it's just getting used to it which is the tricky part.

Shape Tween

3. Shape Tween

Shape Tween can be used in a presentation to move an object round a screen more quickly.

How can I create this technique?

• Open up Flash.
• Click on ActionScript 2.0.
• Click on the shape button and select a shape of your choice.
• Draw the shape of your choice in the top left hand corner.

• Insert Keyframe at frame number forty.
• Delete the first shape that you drew.
• Insert a different shape on to the page.

• Highlight all the frames from one to forty and right click and click on Create Shape Tween.

Advantages/Disadvantages?...

• A disadvantage would be that people might get confused and lost trying to follow the many steps that there are to completing this technique but an advantage would be that it is a fun and easy way to shape shift one shape to another when you know how to do it without getting lost or confused.  

Classic Tween

2. Classic Tween

Classic Tween is commonly used by people who create games and want their animations to move quickly, swiftly and smoothly.

How can I create this technique?

• Open up Flash.
• When Flash is loaded, click on ActionScript 2.0.
• Click on the shape button and choose a shape.
• Draw that shape in the top left hand corner of the page.

• On frame number 40 at the bottom and right click and click on insert Keyframe.

• Double click on your shape and move it to the bottom right hand corner of the page.

• Once that's done, highlight the start of the frames from one to the end of the key frame to 40.

• When you have done that, right click and click on Classic Tween.
• You can move the shape into another corner and repeat the same thing you have just done.

Advantages/Disadvantages?...

• A disadvantage to this technique is that there are a few too many steps for people to follow and can easily lead to confusion but an advantage is that when people know how to do the technique it is very easy to do and it doesn't take very long, once you know how you do it.

Frame by Frame Animation

Animation Techniques in Flash

During this blog I will update all the animation techniques I learn in flash:

1. Frame by frame animation

This techniques is used to produce animated TV programmes and films like Wallace and Gromit

How can I create this techniques?

• Open Adobe Flash.
• When Flash is loaded up, click on ActionScript 2.0.
• On the right there is a tool bar, click on he shape button, which should have a rectangle on it. Hold it down and click on the circle/oval shape.
• Draw a circle at the top of the page.
• At the bottom, it says Layer 1 and next to it there it a row of small rectangles. The first rectangle should have a little circle at the bottom. Those are called frames.
• Right click on the first frame.

• Then click on insert Keyframe.
• Click on circle and use the down button on your keyboard to move it down ten spaces.
• Once you have down that right click on the next frame and click and Keyframe again, and move it down another ten spaces.
• Keep repeating that until your circle reaches the bottom of the page.
• If you want your circle to go back to the top of the page, repeat what you did going down but use the up arrow on your keyboard.
• Hint: if you want a shorter way of inserting a new Keyframe just click F6 every time you want a new one and you don't have to keep right clicking.

Advantages/Disadvantages?...

• A disadvantage would be that it is very time consuming and it takes for ever to create but an advantage would be that the method is really simple and it is very easy to pick up, so anyone can just be told how to do it and know how to do it for as long as they need to.