Activity 1: Working in Flash
In this assignment we will learn the basics of animation and using Adobe Flash to create our animations.
For this Activity you will learn the basic tools and operations of Adobe Flash.
First you will need to find a character to create in flash. The best characters to use are ones that are created using pencil sketches. If you search 'Character poses thumbnails' in Google to find a character to reproduce. Try not to use black line drawings since this will be more difficult to trace.
You will need to create each feature in a new layer and it is good practice to name each layer as you draw your character.
See samples below:
For this Activity you will learn the basic tools and operations of Adobe Flash.
First you will need to find a character to create in flash. The best characters to use are ones that are created using pencil sketches. If you search 'Character poses thumbnails' in Google to find a character to reproduce. Try not to use black line drawings since this will be more difficult to trace.
You will need to create each feature in a new layer and it is good practice to name each layer as you draw your character.
See samples below:
To import you character .jpg file in to the animation you will need to go to Import -> Library.
Be sure to lock your layer with your character reference which should be the bottom layer in your animation timeline.
I will be assisting you during you character creation and since there are so many various ways to complete this activity I won't be posting full instruction on this page. Please ask if you need help during class.
Once you have created your character you should save your file and submit it to the Dropbox as character.yourlastname.yourfirstname.fla
Now you are ready to move on to Assignment 3.1.1: Animation Story
Be sure to lock your layer with your character reference which should be the bottom layer in your animation timeline.
I will be assisting you during you character creation and since there are so many various ways to complete this activity I won't be posting full instruction on this page. Please ask if you need help during class.
Once you have created your character you should save your file and submit it to the Dropbox as character.yourlastname.yourfirstname.fla
Now you are ready to move on to Assignment 3.1.1: Animation Story
Flash Keyboard Shortcuts:
Here are some basic but fundamental keyboard shortcuts that will help you tremendously in the process of creating and animating in Flash. Learning these few shortcuts are pretty easy, and they will surely speed up the workflow in your Flash project. It is a recommended practice to learn these basic keyboard shortcuts from the very beginning.
- F5 - Add simple frame
- F6 - Add new Keyframe
- F7 - Add blank Keyframe
- CTRL+ENTER - Test a Movie
- F9 - Action Panel
- F4 - Show/Hide All Panels
- F10 - Keystroke Menu command mode
- CTRL+A - Select All
- CTRL+SHIFT+A - Deselect All
- CTRL+C - Copy
- CTRL+V - Paste
- CTRL+SHIFT+V - Paste in Place
- CTRL+D - Duplicate
- CTRL+G - Group
- CTRL+SHIFT-G - Ungroup
- CTRL+B - Break Apart