Back to DEB Tips

Flash Transitions

Transitions are a very popular technique used in Flash, and they're typically used to let your audience know that a change in content or scenery is coming. They're usually displayed using fading effects and dissolves, and there are two ways to implement this type of effect: an alpha tween and a brightness tween. Let's take a look at both of these techniques.

Alpha Tween

1. Let's use a photo as an example here. First, import an image, then convert the image to a graphic symbol. Choose Window...Library and drag the graphic symbol from the Library onto the Stage.

2. Add a keyframe to frame 20 on the Timeline. Then access the Effect panel (Window...Panels...Effect) and choose the Alpha setting from the pop-up menu. Alpha settings are typically used to create fading effects, and the alpha determines an object's opacity setting.
NOTE: Alpha fades are known to be processor-intensive; use this effect sparingly

3. Select frame 1 and set the alpha to 99%, then select frame 20 and set the alpha to 1%. NOTE: Settng the alpha from 99%-1% (rather than from 100%-0%) results in a more effective transition that uses slightly less processing power.

4. Select frames 2-19 on the Timeline and access the Frame panel (Window...Panels..Frame). Then choose Motion from the Tweening pop-up menu on the Frame panel. Preview the animation.

5. Continue to import images, convert each to a graphic symbol, then place each image on a separate layer and apply the appropriate alpha setting. Finally, create a motion tween.

Brightness Tween

Another way to create a fading effect is by using Brightness. Brightness settings are much less processor-intensive. Brightness can be used properly only if the Stage's background is 100% black or 100% white.

1. Set the Stage to white for this example. Then import an image and convert it to a graphic symbol. Place the image on the timeline at frame 1.

2. Add a keyframe to frame 20 on the Timeline and access the Effect panel. This time, choose Brightness from the pop-up menu.

3. With frame 20 selected, set the Brightness to 100% (drag the slider up to 100%).

4. Now select frames 2-19 and create a Motion Tween.

Source: This lesson was developed especially for YOU by Debbie Berg.  :-)

WATCH FOR MORE DEB TIPS TO COME! STOP BY AND SEE MY NEW DEB TIP EACH MONTH...

Back to top

about debbie | debbie's clients | deb's schedule | deb's monthly tip
flawebdeb home | dreamweaver | flash | frontpage | photoshop
web seminar | digital design camp | dreamweaver/flash conference