7/14: Edit Symbols in Library, Modify a Symbol’s Instance, Shape Tweens
Edit Symbols in the Library
Once an object is converted to a Symbol it automatically gets placed in the Library. A Symbol is not editable on the Stage, but can be edited in the Library.
1. On the Stage or in the Library Panel, double click on the Symbol you wish to edit. The Library Window opens-notice the Timeline looks slightly different: the Symbol name appears on the top of the Timeline, Layer names and Tweens disappear.
2. Edit the Symbol (ie: change the Fill or Stroke color).
3. Click on the “Scene _#_” icon to return to the Timeline.
The new appearance of the Symbol is automatically swapped!
Modify A Symbol’s Instance
Options include: Alpha (fade in/out), Free Transform (grow/shrink), Rotate (clockwise ‘CW’, counter clockwise ‘CCW’). Note: These options affect only Symbols, which are limited to Motion Tweens. Different options apply for Shape Tweens!
Motion Tween an Alpha (fade in/out):
1. Complete a Motion Tween(see notes from previous class). Select the first Keyframe.
2. Click on the Symbol on Stage to activate the Color Effect menu in the Properties Panel.
3. In the Properties Panel, select Color Effect: Style: Alpha. Change the Alpha %…100% is full opacity-0% is none/invisible.
4. Select the next Keyframe (on the same Layer) in the Timeline.
5. Click on the Symbol on Stage to activate the Color Effect menu in the Properties Panel.
6. In the Properties Panel, select Color Effect: Style: Alpha. Reverse the the Alpha %…100% is full opacity-0% is none/invisible.
7. Hit the Return Key to play your animation!
*Grow/Shrink a Motion Tween using the Free Transform Tool (Toolbar)
*Rotate Motion Tweens using the Rotate options (in Properties Panel): Tweening: Rotate: CW, CCW…x #
Add some of these new options to your In-Class Exercise #1.
Shape Tweens
Unlike Motion Tweens, a Shape Tween *morphs* from one object into another (ie: a star morphs into a circle). In general, this works best with simple shapes. A Shape Tween is NOT CONVERTED TO A SYMBOL!
Create a Shape Tween:
1. Create & name a New Layer for a Shape Tween. Lock/make invisible other layers as needed. All steps are done within a specific Layer.
2. Create an Object on the Stage. Notice a Keyframe (black dot) automatically created in the Timeline.
3.Create a second Keyframe at another point in your Timeline:
Select a Frame (click on the actual frame so that it is highlighted), Go to >Insert >Timeline: Keyframe -or – ‘f6′ key. Notice a second Keyframe (black dot) appears.
4. At the second Keyframe, modify the Object on your Stage (ie: replace with another Object, add or subtract from it, etc). Click on first Keyframe and next Keyframe to verify the different Object modifications.
5. Add a Shape Tween: >Insert >Shape Tween -or- Control + click: Create Shape Tween. A solid arrow with a green highlight appears in your Timeline, between the first and second Keyframe.
6. Hit the Return Key to play your animation!
Shape Tween Text: Morph words, numbers , phrases, etc…
1. Create & name a New Layer for a Text Shape Tween. Lock/make invisible other layers as needed. All steps are done within a specific Layer.
2. Using the Text Tool, click on the Stage to get the flashing cursor. Add text content. Notice a Keyframe (black dot) automatically created in the Timeline.
3. Text needs to be “broken apart” in order to successfully Shape Tween.
Use the Selection Tool to Text Tool to highlight the text.
4. Choose >Modify >Break Apart. Do this twice!
5.Create a second Keyframe at another point in your Timeline.
6. At the second Keyframe, insert new text with the Text Tool on the Stage. Delete the first text with the Eraser -or- Selecting/delete key.
7. Once again, Text needs to be “broken apart” in order to successfully Shape Tween. Use the Selection Tool to Text Tool to highlight the text, then choose >Modify >Break Apart. Do this twice! Click on first Keyframe and next Keyframe to verify the different text modifications.
8. Click on the first Keyframe.
9. Add a Shape Tween: >Insert >Shape Tween -or- Control + click: Create Shape Tween. A solid arrow with a green highlight appears in your Timeline, between the first and second Keyframe.
10. Hit the Return Key to play your animation!
In Class Exercise #2: Shape Tween
* Create 4 Shape Tweens, including a TEXT SHAPE TWEEN, each on a seperate Layer (name each layer).
* Include a static Background Layer.
* 5 layers total
* Save as “yourname_shape.fla”. Save to your >Flash >Assignments folder
———————————
For Wednesday:
Bring some headphones & music CDs to class, we will add sound to Flash.
Leave a Reply