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Flash Tutorial: Animation - Lithium Atom

Free Flash Tutorial

Step Four : Creating the Revolving Electron

1. Go to: Insert > New Symbol
2. Name the Symbol: mc_revolving_electron
3. Select: Movie Clip

Note: Registration point isn't important.

4. Click: OK
   
   
5. If the Library is closed Open it: Window > Library (F11)
6. Drag onto the centre of the stage a copy of the Symbol: mc_nucleus
7. Use the Ellipse tool to draw an ellipse that is slightly large then the Nucleus: Draw Ellipse
8. Select the Ellipse Fill (centre) and press: Delete
   
   
   The black ellipse will become the electrons orbital path.
   
   
9. Select the Symbol mc_nucleus and press: Delete
10. Select a colour for your electrons orbital path. I selected: Red
    
    
    My red ellipse will become the electrons orbital path.
    
    
11. Right Click in Frame 22 and select: Insert Frame

Note: The exact frame number doesn't matter. The higher the frame number, the longer the electron takes to animate around the nucleus.

12. In the Timeline rename Layer 1 to: Ring
13. Create a new Layer by clicking the Insert Layer button:
14. Rename the new layer: Ball1
15. Right Click (Mac: Ctrl click) on the Ball 1 Label and select: Add Motion Guide
    
    
    
    The new Guide Layer is at the top.
    
    
16. Select the ellipse and go to: Edit >Copy (Ctrl+V)
    
17. Select Frame 1 of the Guide Layer and go to: Edit > Paste in Place (Ctrl+Shift+V)
    
18. On Frame 1 of the Ball 1 layer, place an instance of the clip: mc_electron
    
19. In the last Frame of the Ball 1 Layer, right click and select: Insert keyframe
    
20. Select Frame 1 of the Ball 1 Layer, right click and select: Create Motion Tween
    
21. In the Property Inspector select: Orient to Path
    
    
    Check the Orient to Path check box.
    
    
22. Turn off Visibility in all the Layers except the: Guide Layer
    
    
    Guide Layer is visible.
    
    
23. Select the Eraser tool:
24. Zoom in really closely to any point on the ellipse in the Guide Layer and erase a small fraction of the ellipse. See below:
    
    
    Zoom right up to the ellipse and erase a small section.
    
    
25. Lock the Guide layer:
26. In the Ball 1 Layer turn on the: Visibility
27. Select the frame 1 of the: Ball1 Layer
    
    
    The Guide Layer is locked.
    
    
28. Make sure Snap to Objects is ON: View > Snapping > Snap to Objects
    
    
    Snap to Objects is selected.
    
    
29. Move the Symbol mc_electron so its registration point is snaps to the left ellipse endpoint :
    
    
    Drag the electrons registration point ( the small circle ) until it snaps to the end point of the guide line.

Note: You should see a definite snap movement when the symbol latches onto the guideline.

30. In the Ball 1 Layer select the: End Keyframe (Frame 22)
31. In Frame 22 snap mc_electron to the other end of the: Guideline (the right side of the gap)
    
32. Move the play head to Frame 1 (any Layer) and press: Enter
    
    You will see the animation.
    
    
    When done, the Movie Clip mc_revolving_electron should animate like this.

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