Animation: Most Popular Articles
These articles are the most popular over the last month.
Free Animation Programs
Want to try before you buy, or looking for something simple but functional with no strings attached? Here's a list of various animation software packages available for download. Some are entirely free, some are shareware, some are free with limited functions (with more available after paying), and some are free trials that either expire after time or come with certain critical options disabled.
Want to try before you buy, or looking for something simple but functional with no strings attached? Here's a list of various animation software packages available for download. Some are entirely free, some are shareware, some are free with limited functions (with more available after paying), and some are free trials that either expire after time or come with certain critical options disabled.
Ask the Magic 8-Ball
Try out a version of the classic 'Magic 8-Ball' created using Flash ActionScripting.
Try out a version of the classic 'Magic 8-Ball' created using Flash ActionScripting.
Embedding an SWF in a Web Page
If you're publishing for the web, you'll need to be able to insert your SWF file into your website, right? Here's a quick guide that will help you figure out how.
If you're publishing for the web, you'll need to be able to insert your SWF file into your website, right? Here's a quick guide that will help you figure out how.
Flash Basic Walk Cycle
The walk cycle is one of the most important animation techniques to master, but you can simplify it a bit in Flash even when drawing each individual frame, whether in whole or in part. This basic stick-figure walk-cycle demonstrates the basic ideas and discusses key concepts of figures in motion.
The walk cycle is one of the most important animation techniques to master, but you can simplify it a bit in Flash even when drawing each individual frame, whether in whole or in part. This basic stick-figure walk-cycle demonstrates the basic ideas and discusses key concepts of figures in motion.
Your First Animation
In this lesson we'll cover how to create a new blank movie file in Flash MX, and the tools and steps involved in making your first simple animation using motion tweening.
In this lesson we'll cover how to create a new blank movie file in Flash MX, and the tools and steps involved in making your first simple animation using motion tweening.
Building an Animated Character
Whether you draw your 2D animations traditionally or digitally, there are some skills essential to both incarnations of the craft. One is the ability to draw simple but effective animation characters with clean, easy lines and basic shapes.
Whether you draw your 2D animations traditionally or digitally, there are some skills essential to both incarnations of the craft. One is the ability to draw simple but effective animation characters with clean, easy lines and basic shapes.
Flash Animation 5
In this lesson, we're going to learn how to "cheat' on making detailed animated characters in Flash without actually drawing every frame.
In this lesson, we're going to learn how to "cheat' on making detailed animated characters in Flash without actually drawing every frame.
Flash Detailed Animation I
Creating a detailed, full-color character animation using traditional frame-by-frame methods is a long and at times difficult process, even in Flash. For this lesson we're going to take the first step and rough-sketch our basic motion for a simple action, using block shapes representing a character we wish to animate.
Creating a detailed, full-color character animation using traditional frame-by-frame methods is a long and at times difficult process, even in Flash. For this lesson we're going to take the first step and rough-sketch our basic motion for a simple action, using block shapes representing a character we wish to animate.
Animation Lip-Synching
If you want to add actual expression and realistic mouth-movements to your animation, it helps to study how the shape of the mouth changes with each sound. These ten basic phoneme shapes can match almost any sound of speech, in varying degrees of expression--and with the in-between frames moving from one to the other, are remarkably accurate.
If you want to add actual expression and realistic mouth-movements to your animation, it helps to study how the shape of the mouth changes with each sound. These ten basic phoneme shapes can match almost any sound of speech, in varying degrees of expression--and with the in-between frames moving from one to the other, are remarkably accurate.
Animated Flash Dropdown Menu
This is a simple, animated Flash menu that drops down/expands when your mouse rolls over the menu header.
This is a simple, animated Flash menu that drops down/expands when your mouse rolls over the menu header.
Keyframe and In-Between Basics
Rather than working with simple shapes and reusable objects, let's work with the techniques used in cinematic animation: hand-drawing each frame using keyframing and in-betweening techniques to describe progressive motion.
Rather than working with simple shapes and reusable objects, let's work with the techniques used in cinematic animation: hand-drawing each frame using keyframing and in-betweening techniques to describe progressive motion.
Flash Animation 17
It's time to take a bit of a leap in your Flash education by learning how to control movie clip timelines from within the main timeline. To do this we're going to use buttons to tell Flash when to play individual movie clip animations.
It's time to take a bit of a leap in your Flash education by learning how to control movie clip timelines from within the main timeline. To do this we're going to use buttons to tell Flash when to play individual movie clip animations.
Scripting a Simple Stop
The stop command is most likely the most basic of all of Flash's ActionScript commands, and the most essential. It's also a good place to get started with familiarizing yourself with the concepts of working with ActionScripting.
The stop command is most likely the most basic of all of Flash's ActionScript commands, and the most essential. It's also a good place to get started with familiarizing yourself with the concepts of working with ActionScripting.
Flash Animation 2
With this lesson, we'll pick up at the end of where we left off in Lesson 1, with a lesson on shape tweening in Flash MX. Shape tweening can take two different shapes at keyframes set any number of frames apart, and mathematically calculate the frames in between to produce a smooth animation depicting the transformation between one and the other.
With this lesson, we'll pick up at the end of where we left off in Lesson 1, with a lesson on shape tweening in Flash MX. Shape tweening can take two different shapes at keyframes set any number of frames apart, and mathematically calculate the frames in between to produce a smooth animation depicting the transformation between one and the other.
Flash Lesson 8
This will be one of the easiest lessons yet; all we're going to do is add a looping audio background to our Flash character animation to complete it.
This will be one of the easiest lessons yet; all we're going to do is add a looping audio background to our Flash character animation to complete it.
Essential Animation Supplies
If you're less of a digital animator and lean more towards the traditional, you've probably got a studio as cluttered as mine--and there are some supplies that you just can't live without.
If you're less of a digital animator and lean more towards the traditional, you've probably got a studio as cluttered as mine--and there are some supplies that you just can't live without.
Guide Review: Anime Studio 5
While Anime Studio 5 definitely isn't a program that you can dive in and start using without at least a passing knowledge of the fundamentals of animation, it still provides a rich, full-featured animation experience that simplifies the process and allows you to produce high quality animations for less effort.
While Anime Studio 5 definitely isn't a program that you can dive in and start using without at least a passing knowledge of the fundamentals of animation, it still provides a rich, full-featured animation experience that simplifies the process and allows you to produce high quality animations for less effort.
3D Studio Max Lesson 1.1
In this set of tutorials, we'll just be taking a look at the environment of 3D Studio Max version 4.26, and helping you to get more familiar with the tool panels, how to navigate them, and how to use the sets of basic tools you'll need to begin animating.
In this set of tutorials, we'll just be taking a look at the environment of 3D Studio Max version 4.26, and helping you to get more familiar with the tool panels, how to navigate them, and how to use the sets of basic tools you'll need to begin animating.
The Flash "Screaming Maze" Prank
Collected here is a gallery of still shots and media files of a few examples of About.com Guide Adrien Sanders' computer animation work.
Collected here is a gallery of still shots and media files of a few examples of About.com Guide Adrien Sanders' computer animation work.
Creating a New Scene
Here we explore the concept of individual scenes in Flash, and how to create and manipulate them to make options to associate with our buttons.
Here we explore the concept of individual scenes in Flash, and how to create and manipulate them to make options to associate with our buttons.
Flash Animation 13
A Flash preloader is a short, low-key animation that plays while the rest of your animation is loading, and can either loop or show a growing progress percentage.
A Flash preloader is a short, low-key animation that plays while the rest of your animation is loading, and can either loop or show a growing progress percentage.
Trace Bitmap
In case you missed when it was covered in Lesson 5, here's a quick tip on how to use the trace bitmap function in Flash to turn bitmap art into vector images.
In case you missed when it was covered in Lesson 5, here's a quick tip on how to use the trace bitmap function in Flash to turn bitmap art into vector images.
Animation Character Sheet
Before you start animating, it's a good idea to draw up a character sheet/character breakdown of the subject of your animation, both for reference and to familiarize you with drawing different views. Let's take a look at the basics for a character sheet.
Before you start animating, it's a good idea to draw up a character sheet/character breakdown of the subject of your animation, both for reference and to familiarize you with drawing different views. Let's take a look at the basics for a character sheet.
Introduction
The term "computer animation" itself rather broadly covers a wide variety of genres and applications, though the simplest way to break it down is into the categories of 2D and 3D animation. The tutorials provided here have been grouped into the categories of 2D and 3D animation, before being subdivided by skill level to walk, step-by-step, through the basics of creating your own animations
The term "computer animation" itself rather broadly covers a wide variety of genres and applications, though the simplest way to break it down is into the categories of 2D and 3D animation. The tutorials provided here have been grouped into the categories of 2D and 3D animation, before being subdivided by skill level to walk, step-by-step, through the basics of creating your own animations
Motion Tweening: Rotation
In the we covered motion tweening as a basic "Point A to Point B" process but you can also use motion tweens to rotate your symbols.
In the we covered motion tweening as a basic "Point A to Point B" process but you can also use motion tweens to rotate your symbols.
Flash Costume Doll
Don't feel like getting dolled up for Halloween? Then create a virtual doll to do the trick-or-treating for you. This lesson starts off a two-part look at how to create a Flash version of a paper doll, by walking through creating the various layers of artwork required and arranging that artwork in Flash.
Don't feel like getting dolled up for Halloween? Then create a virtual doll to do the trick-or-treating for you. This lesson starts off a two-part look at how to create a Flash version of a paper doll, by walking through creating the various layers of artwork required and arranging that artwork in Flash.
Flash Lesson 7
It's time to get our characters moving, using the movie clip symbols that we set up in previous lessons to control our limbs as a whole, and in sub-parts--and also to animate our facial features and give them expression and lip movements.
It's time to get our characters moving, using the movie clip symbols that we set up in previous lessons to control our limbs as a whole, and in sub-parts--and also to animate our facial features and give them expression and lip movements.
WMode Transparency
Ever wondered how they make those Flash ads that can be dynamically positioned anywhere on the screen, but that have a transparent background? In just four steps, I'll show you how.
Ever wondered how they make those Flash ads that can be dynamically positioned anywhere on the screen, but that have a transparent background? In just four steps, I'll show you how.
Visual Basic ScreenSaver
This is just a quick dip at the trot, a basic checklist of things to do for those comfortable with Visual Basic; this isn't intended to be a full step-by-step, but more a basic overview as to the steps inherent in creating an easy 2D animated screen saver using the language.
This is just a quick dip at the trot, a basic checklist of things to do for those comfortable with Visual Basic; this isn't intended to be a full step-by-step, but more a basic overview as to the steps inherent in creating an easy 2D animated screen saver using the language.
Flash Hotspot Buttons
We've covered creating standard Flash buttons, but here's an expansion on that discussing how to make part of your scene clickable as a "hotspot" using invisible buttons.
We've covered creating standard Flash buttons, but here's an expansion on that discussing how to make part of your scene clickable as a "hotspot" using invisible buttons.
Flash: Determine Screen Size
One of the many functions of System.capabilities is to allow you to use ActionScripting to determine a user's screen resolution.
One of the many functions of System.capabilities is to allow you to use ActionScripting to determine a user's screen resolution.
Publishing GIFs vs. SWFs
While Flash SWFs are considered one of the more advanced methods for publishing animated and streaming content to the web, there are times when using an animated GIF for smaller, shorter animations would be more to your advantage.
While Flash SWFs are considered one of the more advanced methods for publishing animated and streaming content to the web, there are times when using an animated GIF for smaller, shorter animations would be more to your advantage.
Flash Halloween Costume Dress-Up Doll II: Controls & Scripting
Collected here is a gallery of still shots and media files of a few examples of About.com Guide Adrien Sanders' computer animation work.
Collected here is a gallery of still shots and media files of a few examples of About.com Guide Adrien Sanders' computer animation work.
Flash Animation 3
Since the Fourth of July is coming up, let’s make a “Happy 4th” E-card, complete with animated fireworks. This will be a two-part lesson; the first will cover drawing the scene and creating the static fireworks, and the second will cover animating the fireworks bursting and adding animated text.
Since the Fourth of July is coming up, let’s make a “Happy 4th” E-card, complete with animated fireworks. This will be a two-part lesson; the first will cover drawing the scene and creating the static fireworks, and the second will cover animating the fireworks bursting and adding animated text.
Royalty-Free Music Resources
Find links to the music and sound effects that you need for your animations - royalty-free and free for download.
Find links to the music and sound effects that you need for your animations - royalty-free and free for download.
Storyboarding
Using a storyboard will help you organize your animation, and match you mental visualizations of scenes with the written script. If you use a storyboard you'll find that you'll be able to plan your animations more cohesively with clear marker points to show progress, and you'll save yourself a lot of time and trouble when struggling to make the entire thing come together from beginning to end.
Using a storyboard will help you organize your animation, and match you mental visualizations of scenes with the written script. If you use a storyboard you'll find that you'll be able to plan your animations more cohesively with clear marker points to show progress, and you'll save yourself a lot of time and trouble when struggling to make the entire thing come together from beginning to end.
Keeping Up With the Studios
Computer animation can be be fun, but it can also be quite costly. But it's not always necessary to spend that kind of money; for the curious, the studious, or even the aspiring professional, there are much more cost-effecitve ways to get your feet wet. If you know where to look and how to shop, it's not that hard to compete with the big boys without spending the big bucks.
Computer animation can be be fun, but it can also be quite costly. But it's not always necessary to spend that kind of money; for the curious, the studious, or even the aspiring professional, there are much more cost-effecitve ways to get your feet wet. If you know where to look and how to shop, it's not that hard to compete with the big boys without spending the big bucks.
Flash Custom Mouse Cursor
Whether it bounces, jiggles, squiggles, wiggles, glitters, or just sits there looking pretty, you can turn it into your own custom Flash mouse cursor to replace the default.
Whether it bounces, jiggles, squiggles, wiggles, glitters, or just sits there looking pretty, you can turn it into your own custom Flash mouse cursor to replace the default.
Light Tables
Whether you're drawing 2D animation for cel painting or doing the preliminary pencil work to be scanned in for a computer animation, a light table is one of the most important tools for frame-by-frame animation that you'll ever own.
Whether you're drawing 2D animation for cel painting or doing the preliminary pencil work to be scanned in for a computer animation, a light table is one of the most important tools for frame-by-frame animation that you'll ever own.
Flash MX Outer Glow
You don't need Flash 8 to create effects like drop shadows, outer glows, or stroked text. You can simulate these effects just using a little creative layering and fill effects in Flash MX and earlier versions.
You don't need Flash 8 to create effects like drop shadows, outer glows, or stroked text. You can simulate these effects just using a little creative layering and fill effects in Flash MX and earlier versions.
2D Animation
2D animation is the creation of moving pictures in a two-dimensional environment, such as through "traditional" cel animation or in computerized animation software.
2D animation is the creation of moving pictures in a two-dimensional environment, such as through "traditional" cel animation or in computerized animation software.
So You Want to be a....
Anyone can seek out a career in computer animation, regardless of any measure of artistic talent; all that you need is to know what you want, and to be willing to put in the necessary effort to achieve it. This article gives a basic set of guidelines on where to start, and a little advice on how to pursue your chosen field.
Anyone can seek out a career in computer animation, regardless of any measure of artistic talent; all that you need is to know what you want, and to be willing to put in the necessary effort to achieve it. This article gives a basic set of guidelines on where to start, and a little advice on how to pursue your chosen field.
Flash Digital Clock
Create a digital clock--twenty-four-hour time or twelve-hour time--in Flash, using dynamic text properties and the hour, minute, and second parameters of the basic Date functions.
Create a digital clock--twenty-four-hour time or twelve-hour time--in Flash, using dynamic text properties and the hour, minute, and second parameters of the basic Date functions.
Drawing in Flash w/a Tablet
If you've been working in Flash for any period of time, by now you've probably realized that mouse-drawing anything beyond a basic pre-defined shape can be pretty time-consuming, and pretty difficult, if not downright impossible (and maddening). I'd recommend getting a graphics tablet.
If you've been working in Flash for any period of time, by now you've probably realized that mouse-drawing anything beyond a basic pre-defined shape can be pretty time-consuming, and pretty difficult, if not downright impossible (and maddening). I'd recommend getting a graphics tablet.
Screaming Maze Flash Prank
You've been pranked by it, most likely--now learn how it was done, and turn the tables on your friends.
You've been pranked by it, most likely--now learn how it was done, and turn the tables on your friends.
Loop Playback
Turn on "Loop Playback" for continuous playback when previewing your Flash movies on the timeline.
Turn on "Loop Playback" for continuous playback when previewing your Flash movies on the timeline.
Flash Animation 4
Now that we’ve set the stage for our E-card, let’s go ahead and animate it. For the first part of that, we’re going to use a new kind of symbol called a Movie Clip.
Now that we’ve set the stage for our E-card, let’s go ahead and animate it. For the first part of that, we’re going to use a new kind of symbol called a Movie Clip.
Slingshot Game I
We’re going to create a game similar to those “punch the monkey” games that you’ve seen in ads—maybe even in ads on this site. However, this game will actually have a beginning and an end, instead of just opening an annoying popup window exhorting you to buy this or that. This lesson starts off by setting up the animations and some of the basic ActionScripting involved.
We’re going to create a game similar to those “punch the monkey” games that you’ve seen in ads—maybe even in ads on this site. However, this game will actually have a beginning and an end, instead of just opening an annoying popup window exhorting you to buy this or that. This lesson starts off by setting up the animations and some of the basic ActionScripting involved.
5 Cheap Mac Software Packages
Frustrated by the dearth of inexpensive animation solutions compatible with the robust and powerful Macintosh platform? Take a look at this list of five software packages that will let you animate for $250 or far less.
Frustrated by the dearth of inexpensive animation solutions compatible with the robust and powerful Macintosh platform? Take a look at this list of five software packages that will let you animate for $250 or far less.
Flash MX Keyboard Shortcuts
When working in Flash, one thing that can make your life infinitely easier is a knowledge of keyboard shortcuts. You'd be surprised the amount of time that you can save simply by not having to stop mid-task to reach for the mouse to point and click to accomplish a task that can be completed just by the press of a combination of keys.
When working in Flash, one thing that can make your life infinitely easier is a knowledge of keyboard shortcuts. You'd be surprised the amount of time that you can save simply by not having to stop mid-task to reach for the mouse to point and click to accomplish a task that can be completed just by the press of a combination of keys.
Animated Thumbnail Gallery
Upgrade your static thumbnail gallery with Flash animations to make your thumbnails interactive, and keep all of your content contained on a single page.
Upgrade your static thumbnail gallery with Flash animations to make your thumbnails interactive, and keep all of your content contained on a single page.
You Prefer: Adult Animations
Take this quiz to see what type of animated story suits you best.
Take this quiz to see what type of animated story suits you best.
Freelance Work: Pros and Cons
While working for yourself can be extremely rewarding and quite convenient, you should always be aware of the added responsibility and obligation implied, and of any hardships that you might encounter and will need to plan for. The points that I'll cover here are things that I've learned from my own experiences as a freelance artist, animator, designer, and writer; I hope that they'll help you as well.
While working for yourself can be extremely rewarding and quite convenient, you should always be aware of the added responsibility and obligation implied, and of any hardships that you might encounter and will need to plan for. The points that I'll cover here are things that I've learned from my own experiences as a freelance artist, animator, designer, and writer; I hope that they'll help you as well.
Flash Animation 20
To start off simply, we're just going to create the foundation for a basic text menu with rollover links.
To start off simply, we're just going to create the foundation for a basic text menu with rollover links.
10 Stupid Flash Tricks
Sometimes there are things that you can do in Flash that in truth, you really shouldn't--not unless you enjoy leaving your viewers in the throes of audiovisual agony.
Sometimes there are things that you can do in Flash that in truth, you really shouldn't--not unless you enjoy leaving your viewers in the throes of audiovisual agony.
Expand to Browser
You can expand your Flash movies to fit any browser at any side just by changing the measurements in the HTML embedding to fit a percentage instead of a fixed pixel amount.
You can expand your Flash movies to fit any browser at any side just by changing the measurements in the HTML embedding to fit a percentage instead of a fixed pixel amount.
Computer Animation Media Gallery
Collected here is a gallery of still shots and media files of a few examples of About.com Guide Adrien Sanders' computer animation work.
Collected here is a gallery of still shots and media files of a few examples of About.com Guide Adrien Sanders' computer animation work.
Flash Animation 11
It's time to combine the buttons and scenes created in Lessons 9 and 10, using ActionScripting to tell Flash how to behave when our buttons are clicked.
It's time to combine the buttons and scenes created in Lessons 9 and 10, using ActionScripting to tell Flash how to behave when our buttons are clicked.
Basic Flash Password Protect
While you don't want to count on this for definite site or application security, you can use this basic password script as part of a game or any other fun animation.
While you don't want to count on this for definite site or application security, you can use this basic password script as part of a game or any other fun animation.
Shape Tweening a Mask
Apply shape tweens to your masks to make them change shape and reveal different areas of your Flash movie.
Apply shape tweens to your masks to make them change shape and reveal different areas of your Flash movie.
Flash Perspective Illusion
Flash proves that you don't need a 3D program or even a complex 2D program to create easy two-dimensional shapes with the appearance of three-dimensional depth.
Flash proves that you don't need a 3D program or even a complex 2D program to create easy two-dimensional shapes with the appearance of three-dimensional depth.
Animated Thumbnail Gallery II
This continuation on the lesson on animated Flash thumbnail galleries shows how to use movie clips to animate your content appearing and disappearing.
This continuation on the lesson on animated Flash thumbnail galleries shows how to use movie clips to animate your content appearing and disappearing.
Review: Toon Boom Studio 4
Toon Boom Studio 4 is a unique and advanced animation experience that brings your animations from the page to the PC.
Toon Boom Studio 4 is a unique and advanced animation experience that brings your animations from the page to the PC.
Review: Toon Boom Studio 2.5
It's easy to see why Toon Boom Studio has been the choice of many major animation studios for their 2D animation and 2D special effects needs. With 3D scene planning, advanced drawing modes, automated lip sync mapping, dynamic cameras and effects, and integrated sound scrubbing, it's a complex and richly-featured tool ideal for serious animators; the software is a great advance in the animation field, while maintaining the familiar and comfortable feel of cel animation methods.
It's easy to see why Toon Boom Studio has been the choice of many major animation studios for their 2D animation and 2D special effects needs. With 3D scene planning, advanced drawing modes, automated lip sync mapping, dynamic cameras and effects, and integrated sound scrubbing, it's a complex and richly-featured tool ideal for serious animators; the software is a great advance in the animation field, while maintaining the familiar and comfortable feel of cel animation methods.
Easy Flash CrossFade Effect
Fade between one image and another using layers, alpha controls, and tweens.
Fade between one image and another using layers, alpha controls, and tweens.
Flash Falling Snow
With Flash ActionScripting and a little math, you can simulate flecks of falling snow moving in a natural, random drift - whether you want slow, lazy snowfall or a swift and rushing blizzard.
With Flash ActionScripting and a little math, you can simulate flecks of falling snow moving in a natural, random drift - whether you want slow, lazy snowfall or a swift and rushing blizzard.
Review: Xara 3D 6.0
Xara 3D 6.0 is a great 3D animation program for beginners or those with simple needs for their animations and 3D designs.
Xara 3D 6.0 is a great 3D animation program for beginners or those with simple needs for their animations and 3D designs.
Flash Animation 24
For this lesson we're going to integrate a little simple copy-paste Javascript into our ActionScripting--using thumbnail graphics as clickable buttons to open custom-sized popup windows containing HTML content, right from our Flash movie.
For this lesson we're going to integrate a little simple copy-paste Javascript into our ActionScripting--using thumbnail graphics as clickable buttons to open custom-sized popup windows containing HTML content, right from our Flash movie.
Halloween Bobblehead
flash animation, flash animation tutorials, macromedia flash, flash animation lessons, flash actionscripting lessons, flash bobblehead, bobblehead doll, halloween doll, pumpkin doll, flash halloween fun, virtual bobblehead
flash animation, flash animation tutorials, macromedia flash, flash animation lessons, flash actionscripting lessons, flash bobblehead, bobblehead doll, halloween doll, pumpkin doll, flash halloween fun, virtual bobblehead
Flip Boom Review
Flip Boom is a software package from Toon Boom designed to allow children to learn the basics of animation in a fun, friendly environment.
Flip Boom is a software package from Toon Boom designed to allow children to learn the basics of animation in a fun, friendly environment.
Commenting Out ActionScripts
Comment out your ActionScripts using preceding backslashes to insert notation, or inactivate blocks of code.
Comment out your ActionScripts using preceding backslashes to insert notation, or inactivate blocks of code.
Review: Toon Boom Digital Pro
Toon Boom Digital Pro eliminates the need for multiple software packages to create a richer, more in-depth animation experience where you can animate from start to finish within a single project.
Toon Boom Digital Pro eliminates the need for multiple software packages to create a richer, more in-depth animation experience where you can animate from start to finish within a single project.
Quiz: What Type of Animation Do You Prefer?
Take this quiz to see what type of animated story suits you best.
Take this quiz to see what type of animated story suits you best.
Animation - QuickTips
An index of QuickTips for the Animation guide site.
An index of QuickTips for the Animation guide site.
Flash Animation 26
Since we've started using video in Flash, it stands to reason that we'd need video playback controls, as well. This lesson shows you how to add playback control buttons to turn your video display into your own simple media player.
Since we've started using video in Flash, it stands to reason that we'd need video playback controls, as well. This lesson shows you how to add playback control buttons to turn your video display into your own simple media player.
Retracing Detailed Artwork
Artwork drawn and shaded in Flash has its own unique, recognizable look, and it lends itself well to cartoon styles while allowing the freedom and flexibility to experiment--and the option to animate when you're finished.
Artwork drawn and shaded in Flash has its own unique, recognizable look, and it lends itself well to cartoon styles while allowing the freedom and flexibility to experiment--and the option to animate when you're finished.
Pixar
Based out of Emeryville, CA, Pixar is an award-winning animation studio famous for its computer-animated film shorts and for the feature films that it produces in conjunction with Disney, who splits costs of production and distribution by covering all distribution issues while Pixar handles production.
Based out of Emeryville, CA, Pixar is an award-winning animation studio famous for its computer-animated film shorts and for the feature films that it produces in conjunction with Disney, who splits costs of production and distribution by covering all distribution issues while Pixar handles production.
Easiest Flash PreLoader Ever
Well, it may not be the very easiest preloader on the face of the earth, but it's certainly easy enough that just about anyone could do it - requiring no hidden tricks, no special variables, no tricky little intricacies. Just three frames, two if statements, and one button, and you're on your way to a preloader that you can finish in ten minutes or less.
Well, it may not be the very easiest preloader on the face of the earth, but it's certainly easy enough that just about anyone could do it - requiring no hidden tricks, no special variables, no tricky little intricacies. Just three frames, two if statements, and one button, and you're on your way to a preloader that you can finish in ten minutes or less.
Easy Flash-Style Tooltips
Create your own customizable Flash rollover-style tooltip popups, using a simple two-frame movie clip and a little ActionScripting.
Create your own customizable Flash rollover-style tooltip popups, using a simple two-frame movie clip and a little ActionScripting.
Flash MX Text Outlines
You don't need Flash 8 to create effects like drop shadows, outer glows, or stroked text. You can simulate these effects just using a little creative layering and fill effects in Flash MX and earlier versions.
You don't need Flash 8 to create effects like drop shadows, outer glows, or stroked text. You can simulate these effects just using a little creative layering and fill effects in Flash MX and earlier versions.
Preparing a Demo Reel
For an animator, the demo reel is like that final exam in your senior year, complete with all of the extra work, stresses, and last-minute panics. And like the final exam, it can mean success or failure--not only in your education, but in your career. You've probably worked on a variety of projects during animation school, some fun, some not. But do you need to include every last one of those projects in your demo reel?
For an animator, the demo reel is like that final exam in your senior year, complete with all of the extra work, stresses, and last-minute panics. And like the final exam, it can mean success or failure--not only in your education, but in your career. You've probably worked on a variety of projects during animation school, some fun, some not. But do you need to include every last one of those projects in your demo reel?
Importing an Image Sequence
You can import a series of numbered images to Flash and have the program automatically distribute them in sequential order across keyframes.
You can import a series of numbered images to Flash and have the program automatically distribute them in sequential order across keyframes.
Creating Simple Buttons
For this lesson, we're just going to learn how to create a simple button that doesn't really do anything other than demonstrate a mouse-over effect, just for the sake of learning the steps. We'll also touch on action-scripting for the first time.
For this lesson, we're just going to learn how to create a simple button that doesn't really do anything other than demonstrate a mouse-over effect, just for the sake of learning the steps. We'll also touch on action-scripting for the first time.
Ask the Magic 8-ball
Will you have a merry Christmas? Will 2007 be a good year? Will you get that promotion? Ask the magic 8-ball....or use Flash and Actionscripting to make your own.
Will you have a merry Christmas? Will 2007 be a good year? Will you get that promotion? Ask the magic 8-ball....or use Flash and Actionscripting to make your own.
Motion Tweening: Easing
Another way to control your Flash motion tweens is through an option called Easing.
Another way to control your Flash motion tweens is through an option called Easing.
Flash Animated Dropdown Menu
Collected here is a gallery of still shots and media files of a few examples of About.com Guide Adrien Sanders' computer animation work.
Collected here is a gallery of still shots and media files of a few examples of About.com Guide Adrien Sanders' computer animation work.
Transparent Flash Videos I
You can bring bluescreen/greenscreen video into Flash to create a transparent movie played on top of web page content using wmode, but before you do that you have to do a little work in Premiere to clean the video up and prepare it for work in Flash.
You can bring bluescreen/greenscreen video into Flash to create a transparent movie played on top of web page content using wmode, but before you do that you have to do a little work in Premiere to clean the video up and prepare it for work in Flash.
Produce a Portfolio
A printed portfolio of artwork and stills is also important, and can display talents that may not be so apparent in the digital medium. Here are a few guidelines to producing a professional portfolio that will reflect positively on you as an artist, animator, and potential employee.
A printed portfolio of artwork and stills is also important, and can display talents that may not be so apparent in the digital medium. Here are a few guidelines to producing a professional portfolio that will reflect positively on you as an artist, animator, and potential employee.
Flash Onion-Skinning
Frame-by-frame animation can be difficult when you're working on one frame at a time with no reference for the previous or next frames. Flash has a solution for this dilemma--known as onion-skinning, an option that you can turn on that shows a range of frames both before and after your current frame.
Frame-by-frame animation can be difficult when you're working on one frame at a time with no reference for the previous or next frames. Flash has a solution for this dilemma--known as onion-skinning, an option that you can turn on that shows a range of frames both before and after your current frame.
3D Studio Max Lesson 1.4
The last set of tools that we’ll discuss as part of the standard 3D Studio Max interface is located at the bottom of the window, stretching along the width of the working area below the multiple views. These tools help control how you view your animation, your timeline, and how you view your scene.
The last set of tools that we’ll discuss as part of the standard 3D Studio Max interface is located at the bottom of the window, stretching along the width of the working area below the multiple views. These tools help control how you view your animation, your timeline, and how you view your scene.
Flash Detailed Animation IV
Time to add a little color to our plain world of black and white, and start painting in shades in a process that would normally be done using cels in standard traditional animation. Flash shaves hours of work off of the process.
Time to add a little color to our plain world of black and white, and start painting in shades in a process that would normally be done using cels in standard traditional animation. Flash shaves hours of work off of the process.
The Walt Disney Company
Disney is no doubt one of the most famous names in the animation industry, known for providing entertainment directed to adults and children alike; with theme parks around the world and a world-class animation studio and business franchise, the company nearly dominates the industry.
Disney is no doubt one of the most famous names in the animation industry, known for providing entertainment directed to adults and children alike; with theme parks around the world and a world-class animation studio and business franchise, the company nearly dominates the industry.
Tabbed Content with swapDepths
Using swapDepths in Flash to change the depth of your tabbed content windows, you can create an intuitive and stylish content display with easy navigation.
Using swapDepths in Flash to change the depth of your tabbed content windows, you can create an intuitive and stylish content display with easy navigation.
Flash MX Effects: Drop Shadow
You don't need Flash 8 to create effects like drop shadows, outer glows, or stroked text. You can simulate these effects just using a little creative layering and fill effects in Flash MX and earlier versions.
You don't need Flash 8 to create effects like drop shadows, outer glows, or stroked text. You can simulate these effects just using a little creative layering and fill effects in Flash MX and earlier versions.
Shape Hints
Shape Hints make it easier for Flash to interpret how it's supposed to morph one complex shape into another in a shape tween.
Shape Hints make it easier for Flash to interpret how it's supposed to morph one complex shape into another in a shape tween.
Decorate Your Flash Christmas Tree
Try decorating your very own christmas tree.
Try decorating your very own christmas tree.
Motion Capture Technology
While there is, in fact, a great deal of work involved in realistic computer animation, there's less magic, mystery, and painstaking effort than you might think. Those unreal motions are, in fact, all too real, and are accomplished through the use of motion-capture technology. Many movies and video games make use of this technology to animate their digital models.
While there is, in fact, a great deal of work involved in realistic computer animation, there's less magic, mystery, and painstaking effort than you might think. Those unreal motions are, in fact, all too real, and are accomplished through the use of motion-capture technology. Many movies and video games make use of this technology to animate their digital models.
Transparent Flash Videos II
Once your bluescreen/greenscreened images have been prepared in Premiere, it's time to move them into Flash and get them ready to go on the web.
Once your bluescreen/greenscreened images have been prepared in Premiere, it's time to move them into Flash and get them ready to go on the web.
3D Studio Max Lesson 1.2
The second part of our first lesson in 3D Studio Max's tools will cover the bank of tabbed tool sets below the main toolbar. These tool sets allow quick and easy access to a large majority of 3D Studio Max's various objects and tools used to create, modify, and animate, and can be used as a shortcut to commonly-used buttons/tools found elsewhere.
The second part of our first lesson in 3D Studio Max's tools will cover the bank of tabbed tool sets below the main toolbar. These tool sets allow quick and easy access to a large majority of 3D Studio Max's various objects and tools used to create, modify, and animate, and can be used as a shortcut to commonly-used buttons/tools found elsewhere.
Flash Detailed Animation VII
Instead of using plain solid color, for this Flash lesson let's start using gradients to add another layer of depth and fullness to our animation, before finishing the cycling motion that we started in the last lesson.
Instead of using plain solid color, for this Flash lesson let's start using gradients to add another layer of depth and fullness to our animation, before finishing the cycling motion that we started in the last lesson.
Dynamic eCard w/ Flash and PHP
Combing Flash animation, ActionScripting, and PHP to create an eCard with user-defined messages taken from input fields, and then dynamically generate a URL that allows users to share their custom eCard message via e-mail, IM, or web pages.
Combing Flash animation, ActionScripting, and PHP to create an eCard with user-defined messages taken from input fields, and then dynamically generate a URL that allows users to share their custom eCard message via e-mail, IM, or web pages.
Review: Carrara 5
If you're patient and willing to learn, Eovia's Carrara 5 could be a great program for you to produce professional-quality 3D images and animations.
If you're patient and willing to learn, Eovia's Carrara 5 could be a great program for you to produce professional-quality 3D images and animations.
Flash Animation 21
Flash's getURL command lets you make a hyperlink out of any graphic or symbol.
Flash's getURL command lets you make a hyperlink out of any graphic or symbol.
Flash Detailed Animation III
Detail is good--but it's even better when it's been retraced and smoothed out for clean line art. For that, we'll need to use the Pen Tool to retrace our animation.
Detail is good--but it's even better when it's been retraced and smoothed out for clean line art. For that, we'll need to use the Pen Tool to retrace our animation.
Drawing for Animation
Free drawing lessons with techniques for animators
Free drawing lessons with techniques for animators
Random Motion w/ Math.random
Use Math.random to actionscript random animation with an erratic motion path that still operates within set parameters.
Use Math.random to actionscript random animation with an erratic motion path that still operates within set parameters.
Flash Animation 15
Let's pick up on the last lesson to add a bouncing sound effect to our squash and stretch animation, using Flash audio to bring more life and depth to the animation.
Let's pick up on the last lesson to add a bouncing sound effect to our squash and stretch animation, using Flash audio to bring more life and depth to the animation.
"On" Command ActionScripting
Moving from the most basic to the most common, the "On" command is the foundation of mouse-action-based user interactivity in Flash.
Moving from the most basic to the most common, the "On" command is the foundation of mouse-action-based user interactivity in Flash.
Review: CrazyTalk 4.0
CrazyTalk 4.0 is a stunning revolution in making the creation of human interface animations as easy as the click of a button. It practically does all the work for you, and makes turning your photographs and artwork into a moving, talking cast of people so simple that you won't be able to put it down.
CrazyTalk 4.0 is a stunning revolution in making the creation of human interface animations as easy as the click of a button. It practically does all the work for you, and makes turning your photographs and artwork into a moving, talking cast of people so simple that you won't be able to put it down.
Password-Protecting an SWF
Password-protect your Flash SWFs to prevent anyone stealing your work by converting it to an FLA using a decompiler.
Password-protect your Flash SWFs to prevent anyone stealing your work by converting it to an FLA using a decompiler.
Dynamic Random Motion
You can use random motion animation not only to manipulate objects created on the Flash stage, but also to manipulate dynamically drawn objects.
You can use random motion animation not only to manipulate objects created on the Flash stage, but also to manipulate dynamically drawn objects.
Review: Flash Professional 8
While Macromedia Flash 8 is a great program that continues the tradition of excellence begun by its previous incarnations, upgrading from Flash MX isn't really essential to continue animating and developing effectively.
While Macromedia Flash 8 is a great program that continues the tradition of excellence begun by its previous incarnations, upgrading from Flash MX isn't really essential to continue animating and developing effectively.
Flash Spotlight II: Masking
Learn layer masking to explore yet another way to create a spotlight that follows the mouse around the Flash stage to reveal your movie.
Learn layer masking to explore yet another way to create a spotlight that follows the mouse around the Flash stage to reveal your movie.
Vector Animation
"Vector animation" is a term used to refer to animation whose art or motion is controlled by vectors rather than pixels.
"Vector animation" is a term used to refer to animation whose art or motion is controlled by vectors rather than pixels.
Flash Animation 18
This lesson continues what we started in Flash Animation 17, by showing how to "rewind" the movie clips to the beginning to remove the elements we placed on the stage without entirely resetting the scene.
This lesson continues what we started in Flash Animation 17, by showing how to "rewind" the movie clips to the beginning to remove the elements we placed on the stage without entirely resetting the scene.
Swap Symbol
The Swap Symbol function is just like Flash's Swap Bitmap function, but instead lets you switch any symbol on your stage out with any symbol in your library.
The Swap Symbol function is just like Flash's Swap Bitmap function, but instead lets you switch any symbol on your stage out with any symbol in your library.
What Progam Do I Start With?
I would definitely recommend starting with Flash, for beginners. It's not just a starter program; it's practically a staple of 2D animation, and you can start off with the basics and move up to the more advanced aspects of animation and programming.
I would definitely recommend starting with Flash, for beginners. It's not just a starter program; it's practically a staple of 2D animation, and you can start off with the basics and move up to the more advanced aspects of animation and programming.
Rough Motion Sketches
The first step in starting off your animation is to get your basic motion down. For that you don't need perfect drawings; you can use stick figures, as long as they capture your basic proportions and get your motion down. Grab your light desks and get ready to go.
The first step in starting off your animation is to get your basic motion down. For that you don't need perfect drawings; you can use stick figures, as long as they capture your basic proportions and get your motion down. Grab your light desks and get ready to go.
duplicateMovieClip
Create duplicates of movie clips using Actionscripting, isntead of by dragging new instances onto the stage.
Create duplicates of movie clips using Actionscripting, isntead of by dragging new instances onto the stage.
What's the Difference?
In essence, there is truly little difference between "traditional" animation and computer animation; the primary difference is in the tools used to create these animations, the cost and effort involved in the processes, and the quality of the final output.
In essence, there is truly little difference between "traditional" animation and computer animation; the primary difference is in the tools used to create these animations, the cost and effort involved in the processes, and the quality of the final output.
Flash Debugger
Use the Flash debugger to isolate and correct errors in your ActionScripting or object functions.
Use the Flash debugger to isolate and correct errors in your ActionScripting or object functions.
Hide/Unhide with _visible & !
Learn how to hide and unhide Flash movie clips with the click of a button and a very easy three-line actionscript, using _visible and the logical NOT operator (!) to alter the visibility state.
Learn how to hide and unhide Flash movie clips with the click of a button and a very easy three-line actionscript, using _visible and the logical NOT operator (!) to alter the visibility state.
Paint App Deconstruction I
For the first installment in the series of lessons on deconstruction the oekaki/paint application, we're going to look at the basic setup, how to switch the skins out, how to change the canvas color, and how to create the help file.
For the first installment in the series of lessons on deconstruction the oekaki/paint application, we're going to look at the basic setup, how to switch the skins out, how to change the canvas color, and how to create the help file.
Why So Many Software Programs?
While at first glance it might seem that there are dozens of computer animation software packages that all do exactly the same thing, at a closer look that is very far from true. First, some computer animation software is designed specifically for 2D animation, while others are designed specifically for 3D animation; within those two categories, the various software packages can be further subdivided by purpose and functionality.
While at first glance it might seem that there are dozens of computer animation software packages that all do exactly the same thing, at a closer look that is very far from true. First, some computer animation software is designed specifically for 2D animation, while others are designed specifically for 3D animation; within those two categories, the various software packages can be further subdivided by purpose and functionality.