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project: Animating Multiple Frames
 
   
 

description: In this project you will learn how to animate multiple objects as in the animation to the right

Files: The anim_mult_objects.fla file is in the fla_files folder.
   
 
   
  step 1: Open the anim_mult_objects.fla file and click on shapes to discover that two (the spheres) are instances and two (the squares) are objects. (Figure A)
   
  A
   
  step 2: Here's a great shortcut. Select four frames at once (any even frame number down the timeline) and Insert > Keyframe (F6). (Figure B) Easy, eh?
   
  B
   
  step 3: Select the first two keyframes, Control-Click, and Create Motion Tween. (I'm not sure how the Red Sphere wound up on top but go ahead and rearrange your layers to match those in the movie.) Select the bottom two keyframes and set the Tween to Shape in the Properties Panel. (Figure C)
   
  C
   
  step 4: Select a series of frame between your first and last keyframes and Insert > Keyframe (F6). (Figure D)
   
  D
   
  step 5: Click away to deselect then select the middle two keyframes of the shape tween and move them to the left. Option-Drag the same keyframes to copy them. (Figure E)
   
  E
   
  •Note: Depending on the animation, you may not always want to take these shortcuts. I just thought you might want to know they're there when you do need 'em.
   
  step 6: Watch the movie then duplicate the moves. (Figure F) (Remember to hold the Shift key down to keep vertical and horizontal movement constrained.)
   
  F
   
  step 7: Watch the movie and duplicate the moves using the Transform Tool. (Figure G) (Do something similar with the Black Square.)
   
  G
   
  step 8: Command-Return to Test Movie. (Figure H)
   
  H
   
  step 9: Go back to your fla file and add easing. Command-Return and note the improved animation. (Figure I)
   
  I
   
  step 10: Remember that you can check your animation by dragging the playhead back and forth. (Figure J) You can also press Return to play the movie one time through on the stage.
   
  J
   
  step 11: When you work with multiple layers you may want to resize the timeline. watch the movie to see how. (Figure K)
   
  K
   
 

step 12: You should start to see just how easy it is to make Flash animations. However, making good animations takes time. As your skills grow remember that the finishing touches usually make a difference. Patience (and attention to detail), Grasshopper, and soon you'll be a Flash Master!

Now, on to Text Basics.
   
   
   
   
 
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