Flash Assignment 8 – Working with Shape Tweens

8.1 Creating a Simple Shape Tween:

Shape tweens, as the name implies, are restricted to working with shapes.  That is, vector shapes drawn in merge drawing mode, or bitmaps converted to vector shapes with the Modify => Break Apart menu option. 

The process of creating the shape tween is slightly different than when creating an object tween.  To create a shape tween, we define our keyframes first by selecting the desired frames, and choosing insert keyframe from the context menu.  Next we navigate to each of the keyframes and manipulate our shape to the desired configuration.  Finally, we select the frame span between the first and last of the keyframes, right-click to view the context menu, and select Create Shape Tween.  An arrow will now display from keyframe to keyframe within our shape tween, and the entire span will be tinted a light-green color, indicating that a shape tween exists therein.

8.2 Shape Tweening Text:

In Assignment 6, we learned how one can select a text field, then choose the Modify=>Break Apart command to separate each character in the field into its own text field.  If the Modify=>Break Apart command is then reiterated, the text fields evaporate completely, leaving behind the text characters as simple shapes (of course, this renders the text un-editable, so do use care when doing so).  At this point, one can proceed to create shape tweens with the characters as with any other shape.

8.3 Advanced Underwater Zero-G Blindfolded Shape Tweening:

Here we focus on shape tweening of the morphing variety.  That is, rather than working with a single shape, and moving and/or manipulating that shape between keyframes, we can morph one shape into a completely different shape between keyframes with a shape tween.

For instance, suppose one draws places a piece of artwork in the shape of a tofu lump on keyframe A.  Then, say 24 frames (1 second) later, one inserts another keyframe B.  On Keyframe B, one can remove the tofu, and place instead a shape in the form of a crispy slice of warm, savory bacon (mmmmm….bacon).  By joining the two keyframes with a simple shape tween, one can create that ultimate culinary alchemy, turning tofu into bacon before ones eyes. 

Furthermore, if we fine that a shape tween morphing between two different shapes does not progress in the manner we had hoped for, one can edit the morphing process by inserting Shape Hints.  Shape hints are simply reference points that are placed in pairs on the morph from and morph to shapes.  These serve as guide points to directs the morphing process.