Archive for November, 2004
Color glow fade-in transitions using Flash MX
When I do research into what is hot in Flash Design, I have always seen one staple for image transitions. When and image would fade in it was almost as if the intensity and brightness of that image would be at it’s max before it changed into the regular image.
I knew tweening, and I knew how to set the Alpha to fade an image in, but for whatever reason, it didn’t seem like a simple fade in was quite the same as I had seen, and I knew it didn’t have the same visual impact.
But accident really I stumbled onto it the other day after having kind of forgot about trying to figure this technique out. I was working with a template from Monstertemplates that one of our clients needed customizing and I saw the effect reproduced. Here is an example of what I am talking about.
This is how you achieve this effect.
1. Open up Flash MX
2. Import a file to the stage. Any image file will do.
3. Click on that image then go Insert > Convert to Symbol. For this example I chose a Movie Clip and gave it a name of “rich transition”.
4. In the timeline, move the play head to frame 10 and press F6 or go up to Insert > Keyframe
5. Move the playhead back to frame 1 and click on the image on the stage.
6. In the properties inspector choose Color > Advanced and click on the “Settings” button.
7. These are what the setting should be to create this effect in the resulting dialog box. Red, Green, Blue and Alpha should all be set to 100%. To the right of these settings there are also the letters R, G, B, A for the categories with the names I mentioned previously. These are basically settings to color the intensity of the each of the colors vs. the full spelled out categories set the opacity of certain colors. This is what your settings should look like.
8. Right click in between frame 1 and 10 on the timeline and choose “Create Motion Tween”.
9. You’re done. You can copy the frames and place them at the end of the first set, right click and choose “Reverse Frames” to get the image to fade back to the starting position.
Either way, this color intense transition is a professional looking technique. You may ask, why can’t I just choose Color > Tint and set the “White” to 100%. You can, the transition just won’t look the same. You won’t see the yellows, reds, and blue intensify somewhere in the middle of the transition like it is a rich gold glow. It really is just a matter of preference.
30th November 2004
Check out my short tutorial on how to make a rich color fade transition in Flash MX.
29th November 2004
Out of the blue today, Christine emails me with her lengthly and well written take on this weekend. How could I not resist to give her a say, so go and check that out and be jealous, I know a girl that would rather watch Simpsons then just about anything else, well, almost.
What is the shortcut command to return to the desktop?
A fast little time saver I learned last week. You have the quick icon that will shortcut to your desktop if you need it. But there is also a keypress combo you can use.
To minimize all programs and return to the desktop press “windows key” + “D”.
Christine Mulligan voices her side from the Mid Ohio Con adventure.
Check out the side column for more.
On a side note, December 8th is my new day to look forward. The Batman Danger Girl crossover is coming out.
The art by Lenil Yu looks fantastic, but J. Scott Campbell is doing a cover for his creation as well, and who knows, we may finally get to see him draw Batman.
I told Christine this weekend I could die a happy man if that happened. I love Batman, and every creator I like has done his rendition except for J. Scott. He just about got his chance about 10 years ago when Gen 13 was a hit and he was on it. There was talk and I think prelim art for a Batman crossover, but that was before Wildstorm was part of DC and I am sure politics for love of their respective characters killed the idea.
Mid Ohio Comic Con
Thoughts on Mid Ohio
First of all - Jeff in no way ruined Stuart Sayger’s cool artwork for me (you big goofball!). I think I was just tired & hungry so that makes me extra emotional & girlie. We were standing at the Adam Hughes table having this discussion played out about the “real” value (cost) of original artwork vs. the emotional value of the artwork. It was actually a classically great moment because my clever closing argument was “Man, if only I had a Diet Coke I could think more clearly”.
Then, like a magic genie granting my wish, there was Allison (Adam Hughes girlfriend and one of THE nicest people you could ever hope to talk to) extending a hand with a beautiful icy cold can of Diet Coke. She said they still had a ton in the cooler & would never be able to finish them all. I very gratefully offered her a granola bar I had in my bag to say thanks. She passed it on to Adam so he would have the strength to complete Jeff’s “Oh Baby, Baby” piece of art. So you see it all worked out great! And, Jeff, don’t discount my tenacity – if I want that Wolverine painting I will still find a way to get it.
Second on my list – could you PLEEEEEZE post more pictures of me looking FAT and freakish? ‘Cause I just can’t get enough of that. Okay I’m done with my girl stuff – on to the Con…
With everyone around me in a mad dash to see Adam Hughes I had to unique opportunity of being third in line to meet the great John Byrne. I have always found his writing to be clever and very funny. I’m a huge Sensational She-hulk fan too.
Now, since Jeff came clean with his Brittany fetish I will also admit my moment of humiliation. A friend at work asked me to have a copy of Wonder Woman signed. The cover showed W.W. herself grimacing in some apparent pain or distress. My friend wanted me to have him sign it “Feel the Byrne” – and, God help me, I asked this man I idolized to do it. Let’s all take a moment to be embarrassed for me… But, heck, I was being a giggling schoolgirl around him anyway so why not just ice that cake. Mr. Byrne (look I can’t even call him John!) was exceptionally nice about everything. It was a pleasure to get to shake his hand & talk to him.
But the supreme “What a Nice Guy” award has got to go to Jeff Smith. The “Bone” series is very family friendly – I’ve read it to my kids. The people in front of me brought their son & daughter. The son had made some original sketches of the characters & they were even wearing T-shirts he created featuring the “Bone” characters. You could tell Jeff was delighted. It was fun to watch. He took his time with everyone & was always pleasant. He signed my “Bone – Vol. 1” and made it out to my daughters. He included the sweetest sketch of the main character, Fone Bone. You should have seen my girls faces light up they saw it – grins from ear to ear. This was something really special to take home from the Con.
Talking to Stuart Sayger was a blast! I had already purchased the first two issues of his self-published book & loved them. I was so tickled as I walked past his booth & it slowly dawned on me that I knew (and loved) this guy’s work. His style is really unique & I could look at it endlessly. If you haven’t had the opportunity to check out “Shiver in the Dark” go out now & demand it from your local comic shop. I got issue 3 of the series & two of his sketchbooks. He was nice enough to sign everything & even threw in a little sketch for me. It is SO cool!
“Nice” seems to be the key word for our fabulously fun Mid-Ohio experience. We met some of the nicest people, didn’t we Jeff? As Jeff mentioned earlier we bonded early on in line with David & Jason. That led us to further bonding with David’s extensive circle of (again) super-nice friends. I believe we are now invited to David’s Christmas party – I hope that all works out. Going out to dinner with our newly acquired friends was the perfect end to the day.
I have to stop now & give props to Jeff for going to Allison on behalf of Jason. Jeff risked his place in line for his sketch (which was the whole original driving point for our journey) in order to make sure Jason was treated fairly. Good job Jeff! And the great thing is, you did the right thing & you both got your sketches. I’m glad your altruism was rewarded.
I’m a true believer now folks. My first con & I am officially crossed over to the dark side now – full on geek & proud of it! Here’s what I understand now that I didn’t before I went to Ohio. Before I went I thought it was all about the crowd – I’ll just say it – hanging out with a bunch of weirdos. But weirdos aside (and yes they were there too), it’s really about getting to hang out with the artists. What an amazing energy there was in the artists’ room! I was hesitant to approach
the tables at first but I warmed up quickly as I saw repeatedly how open & friendly everyone was. Soon I was flipping through sketchbooks, chatting with the artists & best of all – watching them work.
I watched Talent Caldwell sketch & Andy Lee paint amazing watercolors. I chatted with Jeffery Moy about his sketchbooks & took home one of his prints of the baddest Josie (sans Pussycats) I’ve ever seen. I totally want to be on his sketch list sometime. And what can you say about Skottie Young? I was so impressed with him - talk about original, imaginative work! I got a Harley Quinn sketch from him that I could not possibly love more. What a neat thing to be able to share that creative energy for a while. I know Jeff & I were just buzzing with it all the way home.
Thanks Jeff for suggesting this trip – I think this may just be the beginning of our adventures. I’ll try to seek treatment for my crippling for my Diet Coke addiction before our next journey. J
Later!
Mid Ohio Comic Con
Some more photos to go with my entry about the convention in the “Comics” section. From top Christine and (Jason) who beat us there in line, the convention center in Columbus, Me and Megan in Mansfield, Skottie Young with Christine and my sketches, and Adam feverishly working on my drawing.
28th November 2004
I am back from the convention. It was a sweet weekend, but I am wiped. I am going to bed, but you can read up and see a ton of photos. Probably more information that most of you care, but for those of you who are from the comic list, or are into Comics, this will be helpful information for getting a sketch from Adam Hughes.
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