Flash Animation:   Creating an Anagram Animation Using a Guide Layer

 

Steps:

  1. Select an Anagram. www.wordsmith.org/anagram
    1. For my example I will use: item -> time

 

  1. Launch Flash and create text
    1. Modify document to 300 x 150 pixels
    2. Select Text tool
    3. Select font and color.
    4. Create text element of ITEM.

  1. Separate the letters
    1. Select the arrow tool and select the word.
    2. Select Modify … Break Apart. You now have 4 individual letters.

 

  1. Put them on separate layers
    1. We need to put one on each separate layer so that we can animate them individually.
    2. Click on a letter, cut, add a layer, click in frame 1 of that layer, edit > paste in place. Repeat for each letter.
    3. Name each layer the name of the letter on it.

 

  1. Save your work.
    1. If the tool bar menu is not visible, click on Windows > Toolbars > Main
    2. Click on the Diskette icon to save your work.

 

  1. Create a Motion Tween.
    1. We will add frames to generate a two second animation. Click in Frame 24 in one of the layers. Click Inset > Keyframe.
    2. In frame 24, in the layer move the letter to its final destination in the anagram.
    3. Select the entire layer by clicking on the name of the layer and see that the whole layer gets black.
    4. Click Insert > Create Motion Tween and notice that an arrow fills the selection in the layer.
    5. Repeat for all layers. Save your work.

  1. Mark registration points of objects in the keyframes.
    1. Use a dry erase marker or washable felt tip pen.
    2. Click on a letter in frame 1. Mark the registration point on the monitor.
    3. Repeat for frame 24. NOTE: Try not to move your head while doing this.

  1. Add Guide Layer.
    1. Click to add a guide layer.
    2. It will appear just above the current layer and will indent the current layer.
    3. Select Guide Layer by clicking on the name of the layer.

 

  1. Draw path with pencil tool.
    1. Select the pencil tool.
    2. Select “Smooth” writing in the options panel.
    3. Draw a path from one dry erase mark to the other. This is the path your letter will travel in the animation.

 

  1. Test the animation
    1. Drag the payback head back and forth to view the animation.
    2. Adjust endpoints of guide to snap to registration points of object, if necessary.
    3. Save your work.

 

  1. Repeat steps 7-10 for the remaining letters.

 

  1. Add frames to pause the animation at the two ends.
    1. Add a new layer, name it Words.
    2. Click in frame 1 and Insert Frame.
    3. Move first keyframe in all remaining layers’ frame 1 to frame 2.
    4. Click in frame 1 of Words and insert 11 more frames.
    5. Select arrow tool and click in Words at frame 13.
    6. Select entire first word and copy it.
    7. Click again in Words at frame 13. Edit > Paste in place.
    8. Click in last frame of Words an insert a keyframe.
    9. Click in frame 50 of layer Words and insert frame.
    10. Click in last frame of animation and copy the last word.
    11. Click in Words in the first frame after the animation and Edit > Paste in Place.
    12. Save your work.

 

  1. Publish your anagram animation.