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Tweening with Motion Guides

Free Flash Tutorial

Step Four: The Motion Guide

1. In the Timeline click on the Button: Add Motion Guide
   
   
   The new Guide Layer above the Tween.
   
   
2. Select the: Pencil Tool
3. Make sure the Stroke colour is something you can see like: Black (unless your background is black)


Stroke (line) colour.

4. In the Options section at the bottom of the Tool Panel select: Smooth


Selecting the Smooth setting for the Pencil tool.

5. Also in the Options section turn: Object Drawing OFF

On

Off

6. In the Guide Layer select: Frame 1
   
   
   Frame 1 of the new guide layer selected.
   
   
7. With the Pencil tool still selected: Draw a spiral

Note: Make sure that your curve does not cross over itself.


The Stage with both Layers.

8. Go to the Selection tool:
9. Double click on the line to select the: Spiral Line

   
   Guide Line selected.

10. If the Property Inspector is closed, open it: Window > Properties > Properties (Ctrl F3)

Note: The Property Inspector will now display information about the line.

11. If the line is not set to 1 point width, set it: 1 (or less)


Setting the Pencil tool to a Stroke Height (width) of 1 point.

12. If the line is not solid, set it to: Solid


Setting the line to Solid.

13. In the Timeline click the dot next to the Guide Layer name under the lock: Lock Button


Locking the Guide Layer.


The Guide Layer is padlocked.

This is done to ensure that the spiral guide drawing is not selected by mistake.

14. Go to: View > Snapping > Snap to Objects

Snap to Objects should be ticked: 

Note: This is not essential, but it makes it much easier because you will clearly see the Spiral Symbol snap onto the guide line.

15. With the Selection Tool select the Spiral Text

Note: When a Symbol is selected you will be able to see the round centre point (which is not always in the centre!)



16. Grab the centre point of the:
17. Drag the Symbol onto the beginning of the spiral line:

Note: You should see the symbol outline (dotted line) and the centre point will jump as the symbol snaps onto the guideline.


The Spiral text centre point snaps onto the guideline.

18. Move the Playhead to: Frame 40
    
    
    The Playhead on Frame 40.
    
    
19. Drag the "Spiral" Symbol onto the: End of Guideline

You should see the text jump as the text symbol snaps onto the guideline.


Symbol snaps onto end point of the guideline.

The Motion guide is now complete. You now need to test the Movie.

20. On the keyboard press: Enter

The word "Spiral" should move in around the spiral guide.

Note: The guideline will not be visible in the final published movie. To see what the final Movie will look like you need to view the Movie in the Test Window.

21. Go to: Control > Test Movie

Note: You should be able to see the animation and not see the guideline:

22. When finished close the Test Window:

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