Spring 2008 week 2 evening—01/23

Hi Everyone,
This is the blog entry for the second week of class for my DMA101 Introduction to Animation Classes for the fall term.

Class went well last Wednesday. You all seemed to pick things up fairly quickly; but remember, the only way to learn even more quickly is to spend as much time as you can outside of class.

There are two pieces of homework this week, so please read carefully what to do down below where I disuss the HOMEWORK.

Some things posted here I have not yet covered in class, but that usually means that I will cover it in the next class.

If you have any questions, please email me. my address is at the top of this page. carter-

1. TOPICS:
   
   1. LINK   Object Transformations;
      
   2. LINK   Creating Groups;
      
   3. LINK   Arranging Groups
      
   4. LINK   Importing Graphics;
      
   5. LINK   Tracing Graphics;
      
   
   
2. HOMEWORK:
   
   1. LINK   <-- Download and trace the image at the link as explained in class and bring to class for WEEK 3, 02/06/08. You should complete the tracing and try to color it in as the image is, gray where it needs to be, and white where indicated.
      1. Once you click on the link, an image will appear.
         
      2. To save this image and download it onto your computer, simply right-click on the image and choose SAVE IMAGE AS or SAVE FILE from the menu.
         
      3. Then, so that you may located it easily, it is often best to save it onto the DESKTOP of your computer. So, at the top of the Save As.. window, make sure you Save In the desktop.
         
             For instructions as to how to complete this assignment, review this week's in-class tutorial at the bottom of this posting.     LINK
      
      
   2. LINK   <-- Download and follow the directions in this handout to create an underwater scene with fish. This is also due next week in class, WEEK 3, 02/06/08.
   
   
   3. LINK   <-- Download and follow the directions in this handout to continue working on the underwater scene with fish. In this part of the exercise, you will attempt to make a small bit of animation. This is also due next week in class, WEEK 3, 02/06/08.
   
   
   
   
   
   
3. INTRODUCE:
   
   1. Object Transformations:
   1. Free-Transform Tool (Q)—once you draw an object you may modify and transform it in various ways:
      
      1. Rotation:
         
         1. choose the Arrow Tool (V) to select the object or objects you wish to modify;
            
         2. select the object by clicking on it one (1) time;;
            
         3. choose the Free Transform Tool (Q);
            
         4. next, place the pointer near one of the little black boxes in the corners until the pointer turns into a curved arrow pointing in a circular direction;
            
         5. click, hold down, and drag in one direction or another to rotate your object.
            
         
         
      2. Height:
         
         1. choose the Arrow Tool (V) to select the object or objects you wish to modify;
            
         2. choose the Free-Transform Tool (Q) ;
            
         3. using the mouse, place the pointer over the middle black box on top or on bottom;
            
         4. click, hold down, and drag to increase or decrease the height of the object;
            
         
         
      3. Width:
         
         1. choose the Arrow Tool (V) to select the object or objects you wish to modify;
            
         2. choose the Free-Transform Tool (Q) ;
            
         3. using the mouse, place the pointer over the middle black box on the right or on the left side;
            
         4. click, hold down, and drag to increase or decrease the width of the object;
            
         
         
      4. Height & Width:
         
         1. choose the Arrow Tool (V) to select the object or objects you wish to modify;
            
         2. choose the Free-Transform Tool (Q) ;
            
         3. using the mouse, place the pointer over one of the little black boxes in the corners;
            
         4. click, hold down, and drag in any direction to increase or decrease the width AND height of the object;
            
         
         
      5. Proportional: same as number 4 above, but hold down on the shift key as you are dragging the corner box to maintain the object’s proportions.
         
         
      6. Skew:
         
         1. choose the Arrow Tool (V) to select the object or objects you wish to modify;
            
         2. choose the Free-Transform Tool (Q) ;
            
         3. using the mouse, place the pointer between any of the little black boxes until the pointer turns into two little arrowspointing in opposite directions;
            
         4. click, hold down, and drag in any direction to skew the angle of the object;
            
         
         
   2. Modify Menu—choose the Modify Menu to make various transformations (others will be discussed at another time):
      
      1. upside-down: Modify >> Transform >> flip vertical
         
      2. mirrored: Modify >> Transform >> flip horizontal
         
      3. scale & rotation: Modify >> Transform >> scale & rotate
      
      
   
   
   2. Groups—to group objects allows you to treat multiple objects, or multiple parts, as a single object. This simplifies your objects in several ways: it allows you to move around a complicated drawing (such as a face) with multiple parts (eyes, nose, mouth, etc.) on the stage without having to select each individual part beforehand; it allows you to modify such a complicated drawing with all of its parts together (to make it larger for example, or smaller).
      
      1. Creating a Group:
         
         1. draw an object, an oval for example;
            
         2. select the object by double-clicking on it with the arrow tool (V);
            
         3. then select CTRL-G on your keyboard. This converts the ungrouped oval into a group.
            
         
      2. Selecting a Group—When selecting a group you must only click on it one time no matter how many pieces or objects it contains whether it consists of multiple strokes or fills or not. When selected it will have a blue box around it.
         
         
      3. Arranging Groups—When you have multiple groups, drawn and created, you may arrange the stacking order of them, putting one above the other or one below another. In the graphic (right) there are two groups, one star and the other a flower.
         
         1. Select the star with the selection tool by clicking on it once, then;
            
         2. rearrange the groups: Modify >> Arrange >> bring to front
         
         
      
      
   3. Importing Images and Graphics—If you are going trace over an image, you must first prepare your stage for doing so. The following steps will make it easier to trace and view your drawing as distinct from the image that you are looking at.
      
      1. Prepare your stage: Name the 1st layer 'Image' and then lock it.
         
      2. Add a new 2nd layer, name it Trace, and then lock it also.
         
      3. Finally, add a new 3rd layer, name it Drawing, and then lock this one as well. The layers should be in this order:
         top: DRAWING, middle: TRACE, and bottom: IMAGE
         
      4. Next, unlock the Image layer again and select frame one in this layer.
      5. Go to the File menu above and select the following: File >> Import >> Import to Stage.
         
      6. The Import dialogue box pops up, so you should select the image that you wish to import onto the Flash Stage. Once you do so, double-click on it to bring it to the stage.
         
      7. Then, lock the Image layer and unlock the Trace layer and draw a rectangle. This rectangle should have a black stroke and a white fill.
         
      8. Open the Color Mixer Panel from the Window Menu. Select the fill color and change the alpha to 50%.
         
      9. Use the Paint Bucket Tool (K) and fill up the rectangle with the new fill color. This will make the white somewhat transparent.
      10. Once again, lock the Trace layer and unlock the Drawing layer.
          
      11. Select the LINE TOOL (N).
          
      12. Set your Stroke color temporarily to black that will contrast with the trace rectangle that you drew. that you are going to trace over.
          
      13. You will be using the line tool to straight draw line segments, but take care not make them too long. Once you draw one segment, switch to the SELECTION TOOL (V). This will allow you to change the straight line drawn with the line tool to a curved line segment.
          
      14. For nice clean lines, switch frequently back-and-forth from the LINE TOOL to the SELECTION TOOL.