Animating “Masks”

If we want to animate “Masks” we have two possibilities. We can animate the “Mask” or animate the contents of a “Mask”. As an example, I will animate the “Mask”.

The aim of our film is to enlarge the view when the microscope moves over the face, or rather the eyes.
I am sure you do not have to go to school for this, because this is a piece of cake.

What do we need?

We must have a symbol in a layer in which the the “face” symbol is visible.

In the “face” layer, we have two “Movie clip symbols”, “eye” in normal size and a “circle” as an imaginary face.

We also have to insert a “magnifying glass” symbol in a layer.

We have a “red eye” layer positioned where we have two eyes that are bigger than the standard format.

Then we have the “Mask” layer. The “Mask” layer comprises of a shape which is equal to the glass of our magnifying glass, the color therefore is made red so that it can be recognized more quickly.

The first thing we do is add a number of frames in the “Timeline”.

Select, eg frame 100, and drag the mouse pointer over each layer.

Click the F5 key as many times on your keyboard to add as many Frames.

The second thing we do is the “Mask” a layer.

Double-click the icon beside the layer name and select “Mask” as typed in the dialog.

Double-click again on the icon beside the layer name and select “Mask” as type in the dialog.

Now we’ll add some movement to the magnifying glass symbol, so it moves from right to left and back.

Right-click the first “magnifier” layer and select “Motion Tween” in the pop-up menu.

Place the play button on frame 50 and move the “magnifying glass” symbol to the left.

This adds a keyframe to the “Motion Tween”.

Place the play button in frame 100, and move the magnifier back from whence it came. That would be right.

OK, now what we need is that the “magnifier” symbol on the right and left in our film, but the “Mask” is still standing in its position.

So we are also equipped with a “Motion Tween”.

The easiest and quickest way is to copy the “Motion Tween” from the “magnifier” layer and paste.

Right-click above the “Motion Tween” and choose “Copy Motion” in the pop-up menu.

Right-click the “Timeline” of the “Mask” layer and choose “Move Paste” from the pop-up menu.

Voila! you’ve just made your first animated “Mask”.

 

 

What are “Bones”?

In Dutch, we use “Bones” to indicate bodies and shapes in a complex and natural way to move with minimal effort.

You can add “Bones” to individual symbol instances or to the interior of a shape.

When one “Bone” moves, the other “Bones” which are connected move in relation to the “Bone”.

This can be compared to your arm where, when you move your forearm, your hand will undoubtedly move along.

At least that’s the case with me but, if it is not the same with you, please consult a doctor.

 

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