CONTROLLING PLAYBACK AND LAYERS
Flash can have many animations happening at the same time on
many different layers. Youll have to learn how to control playback and layers
if youre going to effectively use Flash.
The Timeline
The timeline is found at the top of the Flash window. The
timeline keeps track of and displays in chronological order everything that happens
in Flash. Its kind of like that timeline that starts with Neanderthal Man, and
ends up with a business man carrying a briefcase.
Remember that Flash functions on the same principle as film.
In film, each picture is kept in a frame. Flash uses frames, too. Each frame
can hold changes to occur in the Flash movie.
The Playback Head
In Hollywood style movies, the film is moved across the
projector. In Flash, the opposite happens. The playback head moves across the
stationary frames.
Timeline Header
The frames are marked in the Timeline Header (above).
The Timeline Header only marks the frames. The actual frames are below the
timeline header.
Controlling Playback
Controlling a movie in Flash is pretty easy.
Open "Layer Example.fla" and prepare to test your new
playback skills.
�. To play the movie:
Hit ENTER on the keyboard
(Watch the playback head move!)
�. To stop the movie:
Hit ENTER on the keyboard
(The playback head stops!)
�. To move the playback head to a specific frame:
Click that Frame
(The playback head goes there)
�. To move the playback head one frame:
Use the carrots < > on your keyboard
Testing Your Movie In the Internet Explorer or Netscape
Sometimes youll need to see how your movie will look on the
Internet. No problem-o.
To test your movie, simply hit F12.
F12 is one of those short cuts youll use over and over and
over.
Some of Flashs more advanced features will not work in the
main Flash window and must be tested by hitting F12 to function. Its a good
idea to check your movie often by hitting F12 just to make sure youre getting
what you want.
Using Layers in Flash
Flash builds movies by placing layers of animations and
objects over each other. The layers are clearly visible on the timeline:
It doesnt matter how many Layers you have in Flash, theyll
all get smushed down into one layer when were ready to export to the Internet.
So, go crazy. Add as many layers as you want. Use them for organization.
Heres the big rule:
You can only have one animation happening on a layer at a
time.
That means if you want to have two animations happening at
the same time, they have to be on different layers. This rule will come in
mighty handy in a little while. You might want to go back and read it again
right now
The Playback Head Crosses All Layers at the Same Time
Notice that the playback head has a red line coming out of
it that crosses all the layers? If a layer has something happening on it when
the playback head crosses that frame, Flash will display the object in the
movie.
Selecting a Layer
If you want to work on a layer, simply
click the layers name, or any of the frames in the layer.
To Add a New Layer
Adding a new layer is easy. Simply Click the new layer
button underneath the layers.
To Delete a Layer
Click the layer, and then click the trashcan.
The new layer pops in above the selected layer.
Renaming Your Layers
"Layer 1" is not a very descriptive name.
Simply double Click on a layers name to name it.
Do yourself a favor and always name your layers. When you
have thirty layers youll be happy you did. Plus, you wont look very
professional with unnamed layers.
Rearranging Layers
The top layer in Flash will also display as the top layer.
To rearrange layers, simply click and drag them above or beneath each other.
Try this exercise:
- Make sure you have Layer Example.fla open
- Play the movie (ENTER). Watch as the mouse runs behind the
fence.
- Drag the Mouse layer above the Fence Layer
- Play the movie again. The mouse is in front of the fence.
Hiding a Layer
You can hide a layer to get it out of your way. A hidden
Layer is not editable.
Click once to hide, and again to show.
Locking a Layer
A locked Layer is visible, but not editable.
Click once to lock, and again to unlock.
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