Flash Question

bupaje · Post by **bupaje** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 6:00 am

Is there an equivalent in Flash to Moho's 'reset all layer channels'? Just started Flash today and doing some simple ball squash and stretch and other stuff and manually 'reshaping' it each time I squash it -seems like there might be a better way.

jahnocli · Post by **jahnocli** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 9:47 am

Hi bupaje,

I've worked with Flash a lot. The way I'd do this is make a graphic symbol of a ball squashing and stretching over several frames in situ. Make sure the centre focus is located ay the bottom of the symbol (if that makes sense!). Then import the symbol onto the stage -- set it to single frame.

Next you need to set up a guide layer of the bouncing ball action, lock the ball symbol to either end of however many frames you need, and make a motion tween.

Then, when the ball symbol nears the ground on it's bounce cycle, elongate it slightly by setting different frames in the Properties panel. When it hits the ground, select the "squashed" frame in the symbol. Then reverse the process as the ball leaves the ground.

Reply if you're having difficulties -- this is a trivial problem if you know Flash...

HTH

J

bupaje · Post by **bupaje** » Tue Apr 11, 2006 11:09 pm

Thanks. I downloaded the 30 day demo so I can use it at home - hope to buy the academic version before it runs out. Sure I'll pick up a lot over the next few weeks and I'll drop in here for tips from guys like you - I want to learn as much as possible in shortest time possible.

Rasheed · Post by **Rasheed** » Wed Apr 12, 2006 6:57 pm

Perhaps there are workshops for using Flash in your neighborhood you could attend. Sometimes computerclubs organize such workshops.

bupaje · Post by **bupaje** » Thu Apr 13, 2006 1:29 am

Interesting idea, I will look.

bupaje · Post by **bupaje** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 6:48 am

Well, first two flash classes this week and my first two flash homework assignments -try not to laugh too hard.

They are on this temp page -just wanted to see how to embed them.

http://stormvisions.com/pages/ageformat.php

Leaf is stiff, haven't figured out if I need to swap it with another leaf if I want it to curl etc, or I can deform it but too many ding dang questions for my first week to get it finished. I also noted stuff like a few frames where the leaf disappeared it looks like leaving little hiccups. Timing on the leaf is also off. As for the birds -no flapping. I really love Flash so far but I also have an enev greater appreciation of Moho.

I think we will also work on the leaf and ball tomorrow in class so I should be able to get some questions answered and hammer out some of the rougher spots.

I picked up a couple classes at cartoonsmart.com and am doing those also.

Crits and pointers are always welcome.

jahnocli · Post by **jahnocli** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 10:00 am

Get into graphic symbols with multiple frames. Do you have the Richard Williams "Animator's Survival Kit" book? I think every aspiring animator should own this book! On page 261 there is a drawn sequence of a leaf falling. Useful for two things:

1) A tpical guide line to trace for a falling leaf
2) Some different orientations of the leaf as it falls

With a graphic symbol, you could just draw half a dozen different views of the leaf, and then switch between them as it falls (along the guide line). Would work for the birds too...

J

Rasheed · Post by **Rasheed** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 1:40 pm

In the leaf animation, in some frames the leaf becomes invisible, probably because the leaf layer is parallel to the line of sight (Z axis). That doesn't feel right IMHO.

bupaje · Post by **bupaje** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 2:08 pm

Thanks for the feedback. Not 100% clear on the differences between the symbol types. I guessed that teh Graphic symbol must me a raster type and that the movie clip supports a seperate animation line? With the birs doing as you say do I double click on the symbol then just draw each position on a new frame?

Thanks for the book ref - I do have it, hadn't noticed it has a leaf in it.

As for the side leaf I tried like heck to fix that frame but you can't grab the handles of the leaf in that position and I tried setting a keyframe right before and right after to twist it so it skipped this complete sideways thing but not sure. I thought I might be able to duplicate the frames of the leaf and create a second leaf shape and hide the main one and show the other at those frames but the dupes are instances apparently and it messed up the first ....

Anyhow, I'm loving it thanks for the tips. I have a 4 hour flash class this morning and I am energized!

jahnocli · Post by **jahnocli** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:13 pm

No, graphic isn't a raster type. There are three different symbol types: graphic symbols, movieclips and buttons. They all have their own separate timelines, but a movieclip's timeline is independent of the main (stage) timeline. It takes a while to get your brain around this the first time you encounter it.
I found this way of looking at it. Imagine the main timeline as an assembly line, At certain points, things happen. A graphic symbol would be like a car moving down the line, with bits being bolted onto it at certain stations. Its movemts are tied to the line.
Now imagine an assembly line of toys. Movieclips would be like wind-up toys going down the line -- their movement is independent of the main line. Even if the line stopped, those toys would just keep moving...

Hope this helps!

J

bupaje · Post by **bupaje** » Mon Apr 17, 2006 8:40 pm

Yes, thanks for that explanation!

I updated my assignment at class today and handed it in. Would have liked to do more but they stress deadlines in these classes. I appreciate any feed back on the final version here ...

http://stormvisions.com/pages/ageformat.php