Flash MX 2004 Time axis effects detailed explanation

Effects

Today to summarize the Flash MX 2004 in the time axis special effects, I hope to help you, and provide a time axis to do the example, as for other specific simple use is not to give you examples, I hope everyone in accordance with a good practice under the Flash Timeline special effects!

Timeline effects (Timeline effects) are new features in Flash MX 2004 and Flash MX Professional 2004. With flash built-in timeline effects, you can quickly create complex animations that are similar to swish.

The timeline effects can be applied to the following objects: text, graphics (including vector, grouped, and graphic), bitmaps, button-graphic characters.

　　Tip: When you apply a timeline effect to a movie clip, Flash inserts a special effect inside the movie clip.

　　Let's take a look at some of the more complex examples of making:

http://www.flash8.net/bbs/UploadFile/2005-3/2005326154257203.swf

Click here to download the source file

First, add time axis effects

When you add a timeline effect to an object, Flash creates a new layer and then transfers the object to the newly created layer. The object is placed in a special effects graphic, and all transitions and deformations required by the special effects are stored in the graphics in the new layer. The name of the new layer is the same as the name of the effect, followed by a number indicating the order in which the effects are applied. When you add a timeline effect, a folder named after the effect name is added to figure library, containing the elements that are used to create the effect.

To add a timeline effect to an object, follow these steps:

1. In the usual way, add an object to the edit area.
　
2. Select the object in the edit area to which you want to add the timeline effect, then select Insert > Timeline effects, and then select a special effect from its subordinate menu. This example selects Insert > Timeline effects > Effects > Blur, adding Blur effects to text box objects.

Tip: You can also right-click on the selected object, select the timeline effect from the right-click shortcut menu, and select a special effect from its subordinate menu.

3. Preview the effects based on the default settings in the Automatically displayed Effects Settings dialog box. If you want, you can modify these settings and then click the Update Preview button in the upper-right corner to preview the effect of the new setting.

4. If the feeling is satisfactory, click "OK" button, Flash automatically adds the frames needed to create the effect in the timeline.

5. Select "Control" > "Test Animation" to test the time axis effects. The following is a detailed description of the parameters of several effects and how they are set.

Second, set the time axis special effects

Each timeline effect deals with graphics or symbols in a particular way. You can get the perfect effect by changing the parameters of the special effects. In the Effect Preview window, you can modify the effects of the parameters, quickly preview changes in the parameters after the change, choose the desired effect.

Flash MX 2004 built-in timeline effects include: Copy to Grid, decentralized, blur, projection, expand, detach, transform, and transform . You can get different effects by setting different parameters.

The following describes the parameters of these special effects and how to set them.

1. Copy to Grid

Select Insert>timeline effects>assistants>copy to Grid (Insert > Timeline effects > Auxiliary > Copy as Grid) to add "Copy as Grid" effects to selected objects.

The copy to grid effect is to copy the selected object by number of columns, and then create a grid of that element by the number of rows x columns.

The parameters you can set in the Copy to Grid window are:

①grid size (grid sizes)

Rows (rows): Sets the number of rows in the grid.
Columns (columns): Sets the number of columns in the grid.

②grid Spacing (grid spacing)
Rows (rows): Sets the line spacing in pixels.
Columns (columns): Sets the spacing of columns in pixels.

2.Distributed duplication (distribution complex)

Select Insert>timeline effects>assistants>distributed duplication (Insert > Timeline effects > Auxiliary > Distribution Complex) to add "distribution Pieces" to selected objects Effects.

The effect of the distributed duplication (distributed complex) is to copy the selected object according to the number of times set. The first element is a duplicate of the original object, and then modifies the object in a certain increments until the final object reflects the set parameter.

The parameters that can be set in the Distributed duplication window are:

①number of copies (number of copies): sets the number of pieces to copy.

②offset distance (offset distance):

X position: The offset in pixels in the x-axis direction. Y position: The offset, in pixels, of the y-axis direction.

③offset rotation (offset rotation): Sets the angle, in degrees, of the offset rotation.

④offset Start frame (offset start frame): Sets the frame number at which the offset begins.

⑤scale (Scaling): Sets the way and percentages for scaling.

You can set the percentage of scaling in the text box to the right, and you can choose how you want to zoom in the Drop-down list above it. The alternative scaling options are: exponential scaling (exponential scaling): Scaling in the X and y directions at the delta percentage. Linear Scaling (linear scaling): Scales in the X and y directions at the delta percentage.

⑥change color (change colors): Check this checkbox will change the color of the complex, cancel this check box selection, do not change the color of the duplicate.

⑦final Color (Final): Click this button to specify the color of the last piece (the RGB16 value represents). The middle part of the complex gradually transitions to this color.

⑧final Alpha (final alpha transparency): Sets the alpha transparency percentage of the last piece. You can enter a percentage directly in the text box to the right, or drag the slider below it to adjust.

3.Blur (Fuzzy)

Select Insert>timeline Effects>effects>blur (Insert > Timeline effects > Effects > Blur) to add "blur" Effects to the selected object.

The effect of the Blur (blur) effect is to create motion blur effects by changing the alpha value, position, or scale of the object.

The parameters you can set in the Blur window are:

①effect duration (effect length): Sets the length of time (in frames) that the effect lasts.

②allow horizontal blur (Allow horizontal blur): Check this box to set the blur effect in the horizontal direction.

③allow vertical blur (Allow vertical blur): Check this box to set the blur effect in the vertical direction.

④direction of Movement (Motion direction): Click the Direction button in this icon to set the direction of motion blur.

4.Drop Shadow (Shadow)

Select Insert>timeline Effects>effects>drop Shadow (Insert > Timeline effects > Effects > Shadows) to add a shadow effect to the selected object.

The effect of the Drop Shadow (shadow) effects is to create a shadow underneath the selected object.

The parameters that can be set in the Drop Shadow window are:

①color (color): Click this button to set the color of the shadow (represented by a RGB16 value).

②alpha Transparency (alpha transparency): Sets the alpha transparency percentage for the shadow. You can enter a percentage directly in the text box to the right of it, or you can adjust it by dragging the slider below it.

③shadow offset (shadow offset): Sets the offset, in pixels, of the shadow in the X and Y axes.

5.Expand (Extended)

Select Insert>timeline Effects>effects>expand (Insert > Timeline effects > Effects > Extensions) to add "extended" effects to selected objects.

Expand (Extended) effects are extended, shrink, or expand and shrink objects. Apply this effect to two or more objects grouped together or grouped together in a movie clip or graphic symbol. Applying this special effect to objects that contain text or letters is also good.

The parameters you can set in the expand window are:

①effect Duration (effect length): Sets the duration of the extended effect (in frames).

②expand, Squeeze, both (expansion, contraction, both): Sets the motion form of the special effects.

③direction of Movement (direction of movement): Click the Direction button in this icon to set the direction of motion for the extended effect.

④shift Group Center by (offset combination Object Center): Sets the offset (in pixels) of the movement in the X and y directions.

⑤fragment offset (fragment offset): Sets the offset of fragmentation, such as text or letters in text.

⑥change fragment size by (changing the size of the fragment): Changes the size of the fragment (in pixels) by changing the height (height) and width (breadth) values.

6.Explode (Explosion)
Select Insert>timeline effects>effects>explode (Insert > Timeline effects > Effects > Explosions) to add an "explosion" effect to the selected object.

Explode (explosion) effects are the illusion of an object explosion. Elements of a text or complex composite object (a graphic, vector, or video clip) are scattered, rotated, and cast outward.

The parameters you can set in the expand window are:

①effect duration (length of effect): Set the duration of the explosion effect (in frames).

②direction of explosion (direction of explosion): Click the Direction button in this icon to set the direction of the explosion effect.

③arc size (ARCS): Sets the offset (in pixels) of the x and Y orientations.

④rotate fragments by (rotational fragmentation): Sets the rotation angle of the fragment, in degrees.

⑤change fragments size by (resize fragmentation): Sets the size of the fragment in pixels.

⑥final Alpha (final alpha transparency): Sets the final alpha transparency percentage for the explosion effect. You can enter a percentage directly in the text box to the right of it, or you can adjust it by dragging the slider below it.

7.Transform (deformation)

Select Insert>timeline effects>transform/transition>transform (Insert > Timeline effects > Transform/transition > Deformation) to add a "warp" effect to the selected object.

The Transform effect is to adjust the position, scaling, rotation angle, alpha transparency, and color of the selected object. Use transform to apply a single effect or combination effect, create fade/fade, fly in/out, expand/Shrink and L/r effects.

The parameters you can set in the transform window are:

①effect duration (effect length): Sets the duration of the deformation effect (in frames).

②move to position (move to the specified location): Sets the offset in pixels for the x and y orientations.

③change position by (change position): Sets the offset (in pixels) of the x and Y orientations.

④scale (scaling): When locked, the x and Y axes use the same proportional scaling (expressed as a percentage), and when unlocked, you can set the scaling ratio of the x and Y axes (expressed as a percentage), respectively.

⑤rotate (rotate): Sets the angle (in degrees) of the object's rotation.

⑥spin (rotate): Sets the number of times the object is rotated.

⑦change color (change colors): Check this box to change the color of the object; uncheck this check box to change the color of the object.

⑧final Color (Final): Click this button to specify the final color of the object (the RGB16 value represents).

⑨final Alpha (final alpha transparency): Sets the final alpha transparency percentage for the object. You can enter a percentage directly in the text box to the right, or drag the slider below it to adjust.

⑩motion Ease (motion Speed): You can set the start slow (slow at start), then gradually get faster, or start fast, and then slowly (slow at).

8.Transition (Transition)

Select Insert>timeline effects>transform/transition>transition (Insert > Timeline effects > Transform/transition > Transitions) to add "transition" effects to selected objects.

The effect of the Transition (transition) effect is to erase and fade the selected objects, or combine them to produce a gradual transition effect.

The parameters you can set in the transition window are:

① (effect Length): Sets the duration of the transition effect (in frames).

②direction (direction): Select in (Into) or out (out) and in the icon to click the Direction button, you can set the direction of the transition effects.

③fade (Fade in): Select this check box and in option to get fade in, select this check box and select out option, get fade effect, deselect this check box, and do not fade the selected object.

④wipe (Erase): Select this check box and the in option to get a wipe effect (for example, the text appears gradually), select this check box and select out options, get the effect (for example, the text fades away), and deselect the check box to erase the selected objects.

⑤motion Ease (motion Speed): You can set the start slow (slow at start), then gradually get faster, or start fast, and then slowly (slow at).

Third, edit time axis effects

If you are not satisfied with the added timeline effects, you can edit the effects using the Special Effects Settings dialog box. The operation method is as follows:

1. Select the object to edit the effect in the edit area

2. Click the Edit button in the property inspector, or right-click (Windows) or control-click (Macintosh) on the selected object, and then select Timeline Effects > Edit from the right-click shortcut menu Effect (Timeline effects > Edit effects).

3. In the Open Effects Settings dialog box, modify the settings, and then click the OK button.

Four, delete the time axis effects

Select the object in the edit area to remove the effect and right-click (Windows), or control-click (Macintosh), and select Timeline effects > Remove Effect from the right-click shortcut menu (Timeline effects > Remove effects).

Flash MX proffessional 2004 new timeline effects do give us great convenience in creating special effects like text effects (compared to previous versions) but I also feel that there are two deficiencies: first, the number of special effects is too small (compared with swish far), and secondly, the speed is a bit slow.