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GDT 260 Animation for the Web: Winter 2002

2.07.2002

Motion Tweening

Applying a Motion Tween

  1. Place content on stage, either a symbol or a group
  2. Create an end keyframe and move the object where it should end up
  3. Select the frames between the keyframes
  4. On the Frame panel, select "Motion" tweening

A dotted arrow in the timeline means your tween is not working.

Scaling

Motion tweening can change size of objects.

Ensure that "Scale" checkbox is checked on Frame panel

Rotation

On Frame panel, Rotate dropdown has four options:

If you rotate your object at one keyframe, "Auto" rotates the simplest direction. CW forces clockwise rotation, CCW, counter-clockwise. To change the number of times the object rotates, put a number in the "times" box.

Changing the center of rotation

Modify > Transform > Edit Center

Easing

Easing controls acceleration and deceleration

Onion Skinning

Onion skin buttons at bottom of timeline allow you to see multiple frames at once. The buttons are:

Dragging the markers at top of timeline controls which frames are onion skinned

Editing Multiple Frames

Markers indicate which frames are being edited. This is ideal for fine-tuning complex animations and moving an entire animation at once.

Tweening Effects

Any of the effects from the Effects palette can be modified by motion tweens. Remember that effects can only be applied to symbols, not groups.

Motion Guides

Paths for objects to follow while moving through a motion tween.

  1. Make sure Snap to Objects is on
  2. With your tween layer selected, Insert > Motion Guide
  3. Draw a line for the object to follow. Make sure that the ends are reasonably close to the start and end point of the motion
  4. Drag the center/ registration point of the object and snap it to the motion guide at each keyframe
  5. Apply the motion tween

The tweened object's registration point must snap to the motion guide at each keyframe, otherwise it won't follow the path. The motion guide must exist through every frame that the tween runs.