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Flash 8:Animation Techniques

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TopicsAnimation in Flash

Frames and Keyframes

Types of animation Frame-by-frame animation Tweened animation

Controlling animation Special-purpose layers Shape hints

Movie-clipsAuthoring aids for animation

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Flash AnimationObjects exist in space and time

Frames represent time graphically

Keyframes Designate key changes e.g. object position at start/end of animation

Frames Inherit content of previous keyframe Specify time interval between changes

Changes during animation can be: Made manually (keyframing) Generated automatically by Flash (tweened)

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Keyframing AnimationManual changes in object shape/position

Each change made on separate keyframe

May be required for some animations Fine control over changes

Difficult to create smooth transitionsTime-consumingMay slow movie playback

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Tweened AnimationManual changes on two keyframes

Difference between keyframes is interpolated Changes in object position / shape

Quick and simpleMaintains small file sizeFlash creates smooth transitionsNot appropriate for all animations

Less control than frame-by-frame animation

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Tweened Animation: MotionAnimate motion between two points

Keyframes define start/end positions Motion tween generates intermediate positions

Motion can be controlled Follow a motion guide Rotate, ease, scale…

Only for symbols & groups Not simple shapes

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Tweened Animation: Shape ‘Morph’ one simple shape into another

Keyframes define start/end shapes Shape tween generates intermediate shapes

Refine morphing with shape hints Multiple hints give smoother transition

Only for simple shapes Not for symbols or groups

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Movie-clipsMovie clips are a type of library symbol

Reusable, animated content Instances can have different properties

Separate movie within the main movie Has own timeline that can contain any object Animation is independent of main timeline Can use an unlimited number of movie-clips

Properties manipulated through ActionScript e.g. play/stop, hide, rotate, scale…

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Animation AidsCreating animation

Onion skin View object on a series of tweened frames

Edit multiple frames Modify object on multiple frames Reposition, resize, etc.

Controlling animation Motion guides Shape Hints Mask layers

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SummaryFlash Animation can be:

Generated automatically (simpler) Created manually (if need more control) Combine approaches as appropriate

Movie clips Allow independent animations to run in movies Required for interactivity

Special purpose layers Control and refine animation

Features to aid production of animation e.g. Onion skin view