Above is the finished assignment where your name will morph from your first to last name. Feel free to go beyond the minimum requirement.
The majority of this assignment came directly from http://www.echoecho.com/flashtweenings03.htm
*Open Flash (choose a document or screen size, you can change later by going to Modify>Document. Recommended size, 300x75). Prior to starting, save this file and make sure it has the correct extension (example, if your file name is flash, the entire file name would be flash.fla)
* Enter your first name on the canvas of your movie. To do this: choose the Text Tool in the Toolbox. Then type your first name with font size 48 and bold. It is important that the font is not too thin.
*Now you need to position your name at the very center of your movie. Select it by clicking on it with the mouse. Choose Modify > Align in the menu (or press Ctrl + K), an Align Properties box appears. Choose the settings shown below. Remember to select the "To Stage (older versions may state "Align to page " option.
Your name should now be at the center of the movie.
*Next step is to "break apart" the font (You will want to break your text twice). Select your name with the mouse and press Ctrl + B (or choose Modify > Break Apart in the menu. Once you have broken up your text, repeat this by choosing Modify > Break Apart).
*Now insert keyframes in frame 25, 35, 60 and 70, You do this by positioning the frame pointer in frame 25 - then press F6 or (Insert >Timeline > Keyframe) , then repeating the same procedure for frame 35, 60, and frame 70.
(this image shows keyframes in 20, 40, & 41)
*Now delete your name in frame 25 & 35. To do this: position the frame pointer in frame 25 & 35. Select your name and press the delete button on the keyboard.
*Next step is to enter your last name in frame 25. Choose Text Tool in the Toolbox and enter your last name with font size 48 and bold. (Your last name can be in another color than you used for the first name if you like)
*Now align your last name to the center of the movie. Select your last name with the mouse and choose Modify > Align in the menu(or press Ctrl + K), an Align Properties box appears. (Remember to select the "To Stage," (older versions may state "Align to page" option).
Your last name should now be at the center of the movie.
*Next step is to "break apart" the font (You will want to break your text twice). Select your name with the mouse and press Ctrl + B (or choose Modify > Break Apart in the menu. Once you have broken up your text, repeat this by choosing Modify > Break Apart).
*Copy your last name from frame 25.
*Go to frame 35 and Paste in Place, by selecting Edit>Paste in Place.
*Now comes the shape tweening. First double click the keyframe in frame 1. A Frame Properties Box appears. Choose "Tweening" and select Shape in the "Tweening" drop-down menu. Click OK.
*Repeat this step on from 35.
*You will want to see your movie loop so go to Control>Loop Playback
*To see your movie, go to Control>Play
*Since you already saved this file earlier, you will want to save it again prior to publishing. You will want to link this assignment to your portfolio page.
Once you have successfully created your animated gif, you are now ready to publish. Choose File>Publish Settings.
Select only the GIF Image box and deselect the other boxes. Once you select the GIF Image box, then you will see the GIF tab appear. Select the GIF tab.
Once you select the GIF tab, you will want to select the Animated and Loop continuously radio buttons and select Publish
Now that you have a completed animated gif, you can insert the gif onto your web site. For you portfolio page, please link both .fla and gif to your portfolio page. If you want to play your animation, you will want to put the .gif file on your site.
The majority of this assignment came directly from http://www.echoecho.com/flashtweenings03.htm
