A Tweening We Will Go

(sorry, I couldn't resist)

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by Don Herion

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Scaling and Rotational Tweening

Now that the 'falling leaf' has a more natural falling motion I want to give the impression that it's being pushed, twirled and twisted by the wind. Rotational and scale tweening will make this possible. The first step is to add more keyframes to the 'falling leaf' layer. I randomly chose frames 9, 21, 33 and 41. Remember to use the 'F6 key' when adding keyframes. It's a great time saver.

Now go to each of the keyframes (1, 9, 21, 33, 41 and 50) in the 'falling leaf' layer. Use the 'rotate' and 'scaling' tool in the 'tool bar' to edit the size and shape of the leaf. Here are my choices for each key frame:

1	9	21	33	41	50

Press 'enter' or 'return' and your falling leaf has a more agitated descent, as if the wind were playing with it. Note: Click the 'eye' (show/hide layer) icon in the Guide layer if you wish to see the animation without the path visible.

Summer to Fall - Color Tweening

Another way to use 'tweening' is by color. There are 4 methods to affect the color of an object: brightness, tint, alpha and advanced. To change my leaf from springtime green to fall brown with various color tints in between is very simple. First bring up the 'Effect' window. Press - Ctrl - I, or go - Window - Panels - Effects.

To affect the leaf select each 'keyframe' (1, 9, 21, 33, 41 and 50) and select a new color tint. I started with green, eased into yellow and orange before stopping at brown. These are my choices for each keyframe:

Now press 'enter' or 'return.' to view your creation.

My last effect is to have the leaf fade out just before it hits the ground. An effect many homeowners wish would happen in the real world. Select the last keyframe (50) and click the drop down arrow next to 'tint' setting and choose 'advanced.' Go down to 'Alpha' and shift the slider down to '-100%.'

Press 'enter' or 'return.' Now the leaf fades away before I have to haul my rake out.

Here is the finished animation: 'Falling Leaf'

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