Using Masks in Flash
Objectives:
- Using a Mask to Make a Spotlight Effect
Adapted from the book: Foundation Flash 5 by Bhangal, Farr, and Rey.
Using a Mask to Make a Spotlight Effect
Take a look at this example of a spotlight effect. The way I did this was I created a collage in Photoshop using the rubber stamp tool. You've done this before in earlier exercises. It involves opening a series of images and then rubber stamping the parts you want into a new image to create the collage.
This became my background layer. Next, I added a mask layer consisting of a single oval shape (my spotlight). I converted it into a symbol, added frames and keyframes to both layers and then applied a simple motion tween to the spotlight so that it would move over the different faces in the collage.
Finally, I modified the mask layer to change it to to a mask, and modified the background layer to be masked. I locked the layers and there you go.
- Open PhotoShop and create a collage using the rubber stamp tool.
- Start a new Flash movie. Name the first layer background.Import your PhotoShop collage.
- Add a new layer. Name it mask
- Draw an oval to represent your spotlight.
- Convert the oval to a graphic symbol.
- Insert keyframes in frame 30 for both layers.
- Apply a motion tween to both layers.
- Insert additional keyframes scattered throughout the mask layer so that you can simulate the movement of the spotlight.
- Select the mask layer. Click on Modify > Layer > and click the mask button.
- Select the background layer. Click on Modify > Layer > and this time click the masked button.
- Change the background of the movie to black. Click on Modify > Movie > Background Color > and choose black.
- Lock both your layers.
- Test your movie.