I'm working on an ad campaign and wanting to export this as a flash for advertising on different websites. When I export this test to a flash file as opposed to a quicktime file, the masking isn't working. Is this a limitation of exporting to swf, or am i missing a step or something to use anime for a flash campaig? Is there a better export option for advertising? examples below.
http://www.4armrecords.com/downloads/MM ... 36x280.mov
http://www.4armrecords.com/downloads/MM ... 36x280.swf
masking missing in swf
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yellowtractor
- Posts: 1
- Joined: Thu Dec 30, 2010 7:07 pm
Alternate Masking Method - Good for SWF export
Hey boot -
Think about the way you are using the layers - you may be able to achieve the same result as a mask just by splitting objects into more layers, and then placing a "mask" layer on top. Here is what I mean - let's say you have a scene with a window on a house. You want to be able to see the objects inside the house through the window. The traditional Anime Studio method is to make a layer for the house, a layer for the window, and a layer for the objects, then add a mask layer (set to hide all in the masking tab), drop the window and objects layers into this new mask layer and then assign "add layer to mask" in the masking tab of the window layer. Viola, masked objects appearing inside the boundaries of the window. An alternative would be to make the window an integral part of the house layer. I just started with Anime Studio, but have been an illustrator for many years, and I have used this method in other programs so I thought I would try it in AS. Here's what I did and it worked well. Create your house artwork in an outside illustration program like Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator. Make sure the window is part of the house object - that is, the house object should have the window panes cut into it (you can add a layer later for trim, etc on top of this house layer). import into Anime Studio. Then, make your objects inside the house on a layer underneath the imported layer - maybe a curtains layer and a kitchen layer underneath that. This method stands up to the SWF export and in my opinion is more flexible than the Anime Studio method of masking.
Think about the way you are using the layers - you may be able to achieve the same result as a mask just by splitting objects into more layers, and then placing a "mask" layer on top. Here is what I mean - let's say you have a scene with a window on a house. You want to be able to see the objects inside the house through the window. The traditional Anime Studio method is to make a layer for the house, a layer for the window, and a layer for the objects, then add a mask layer (set to hide all in the masking tab), drop the window and objects layers into this new mask layer and then assign "add layer to mask" in the masking tab of the window layer. Viola, masked objects appearing inside the boundaries of the window. An alternative would be to make the window an integral part of the house layer. I just started with Anime Studio, but have been an illustrator for many years, and I have used this method in other programs so I thought I would try it in AS. Here's what I did and it worked well. Create your house artwork in an outside illustration program like Corel Draw or Adobe Illustrator. Make sure the window is part of the house object - that is, the house object should have the window panes cut into it (you can add a layer later for trim, etc on top of this house layer). import into Anime Studio. Then, make your objects inside the house on a layer underneath the imported layer - maybe a curtains layer and a kitchen layer underneath that. This method stands up to the SWF export and in my opinion is more flexible than the Anime Studio method of masking.