Object-based animation

With object-based animation, the user has more control over the “tween process”. Tweens are now applied directly to objects instead of “keyframes” (“keyframes”). This gives a more precise control over each individual attribute of animation.

 

“Motion Editor” panel

In the “Motion Editor” panel, we can tween both properties and the corresponding view and, edit properties in “Keyframes”. The panel also includes tools for adding precision and detail to tweens. Also, the properties of the selected tween is displayed in this panel.

 

Presets motion tweens

With preset animations we can use them for any object as a tween animation application. We can choose from dozens of presets or create your own and save them as presets.  This saves a lot of animation time for developers to share within different teams.

 

“Inverse Kinematics” (IK): The “Bone Tool”

With the “Bone tool” we create chain-like effects to a series of linked objects, without problems.

An example is your arm. When the forearm moves, automatically the hand and arms move. Well, this is what the “Bone tool” does. When we move an object, then the rest of the linked objects also move.

 

“3D-transformation”

Also new to “Flash CS4” is the “3D transformation” tool, which helps us rotate and animate 2D objects in 3D space. In other words, along the x-, y-and z-axes.

For those who would not know, the x-axis is the horizontal axis, the y-axis is the vertical axis, and the z-axis is the depth axis.

Decorative drawing tools: “Deco tool” and “Spray Brush”

With the decorative drawing tools we can turn previously created graphic shapes (ie symbols), into complex, geometric patterns.

The Decorative drawing tools also allow us to apply an effect to a selected object on the “Stage”.

The “Spray brush” works as a spray, which can be used to spray a pattern on shapes in the “Stage” using syringes.

 

The “Kuler” panel

The “Kuler” ? panel gives us access to color groups created by an online community of designers. This pane allows you to browse thousands of color groups and download them to edit or incorporate them into your own projects.

If you have color groups you want to share with others, you can save it and then upload to the Kuler community.

 

The “Project” panel

We use the “New Project” pane to create and manage projects.

In the panel, the contents of a “Flash Project” is shown in a tree structure which can be expanded or collapsed.

 

“Adobe Media Encoder” with H.264 support

With the new “Adobe Media Encoder”, formerly the “Flash Video Encoder”, you can create videos of the highest quality with more control. You can convert video to “FLV” and “F4V” video formats and use them in your “Flash” videos.

 

Integration with “Adobe ConnectNow”

With “Adobe ® ConnectNow” ?, you can share your screen and meet other users online. You can “ConnectNow” directly from the application interface by clicking on “File” in the menu bar and selecting “Share My Screen”.  To do this you must have an “Adobe ID” and password.

 

Edit in “Soundbooth”

Those of you who use “Adobe ® Soundbooth ? can now import and edit sounds directly from “Flash”. The Adobe “ASND” sound file format for audio files enables non-destructive editing of audio files, a possibility.

 

Improved metadata support

You can now enhance “XMP” data (Extensible Metadata Platform), such as title, author, description and copyright information to your “FLA” files.

“XMP” is a format for metadata which can be interpreted by certain other Adobe applications . The metadata can be viewed in “Flash” and in “Adobe ® Bridge”.

 

“XFL” import

Import content from “InDesign” ® and “After Effects” with complete preservation of file integrity. “XFL” is a new file format that designers can seamlessly deliver content to be further developed in “Flash”. This allows us to work on a project in another application first and then continue work in “Flash”.

To do this, export your file as an “XFL” file.

In “Flash”, select “File” – “Open” and navigate to the “XFL” file and click “Open”

The “XFL” file is opened in “Flash” and all layers of the original file appear in the timeline. The original objects appear in the “Library panel”.

 

Improved “Library panel”

With the improved “Library panel”, including search and sort functions plus the ability to set properties for multiple library items at once, we work with more ease with the various elements contained in the library.

 

New font menus

The font menu in “Flash” now includes previews of the different fonts and different styles that are part of the font.

Finally we have the new environment.

This was already seen in the previous lesson, So we go further with the next lesson where I will explain about the different parts in this environment.

 

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