Morphing
Shapes in Flash
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by Don Herion
(1)
(2) (3)
(4)
7) To create the eye popping impact of Smiley's bad haircut
I wanted to fake a 3D effect. I started with the left eye, inserting a 'Blank
Keyframe' (F7) at frame 18. To heighten the shock effect I want the eye to dilate,
get smaller for an instant and then get really big. I created a eye smaller than
the original and copied it. I then went to Frame 15 and applied a 'shape' tween
to the left eye. I then paste in the new eye and position it over the right eye
(Use the onion skin feature). I then apply another 'shape' tween to it.
8)
Now for the 'eye popper' effect. I inserted a 'Blank Keyframe' (F7) at 25. I created
a large circular left eye and added a gradient fill with a white highlight. I
copied this big eye and applied a 'shape' tween with an 'ease' setting of -100.
I want that eye to accelerate fast as it pops open. I pasted in the copied eye
and placed it over the right eye. I added a 'shape' tween and a -100 ease setting
there as well.
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| Gradients are a good way to fake a 3D effect |
Now
turn off 'onion skinning' and Press - Enter.
9) For my final
bit of animation I wanted Smiley's hair to suddenly stand on end and turn gray.
If you remember from Step 2 I scaled the head shape slightly, making it longer.
So now I must adjust the hair by shifting it up a little at Frame 15. Insert a
'Keyframe' (F6) and use the 'arrow key' on the keyboard to ease the hair up. Apply
a 'shape' tween (you could also apply a 'motion tween' for this effect). You may
have to play with your 'playhead' to fine tune the animation.
10)
Now from the hair standing on end effect. I now inserted several keyframes between
Frames 15 and 25. Use your 'arrow tool' to create some scary hair for each new
keyframe. Move the hair around. Use the 'playhead' and 'onion skin feature' for
editing purposes. Apply 'shape' tweens where necessary. Because I decided to create
multiple keyframes I had to select each keyframe and gradually change my hair
color from black to very light gray. Turn off 'onion skinning' and press - Enter.
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| Create some real scary hair |
11)
That's it. As you can see using 'shape' tweening can be a powerful animation tool.
If you want you could create a talking 'Smiley' face. Build several mouth shapes
and use them to simulate talking. His animated mouth can then be synchronized
with an audio file.
