Now that we have the sequence of images prepared lets move on to the next part. Namely:

File Preperation for Flash (Post After Effects)

a. Create a new Flash (.FLA) file

b. Change the background color and prepare it for the importation of the movie clip:

Modify>>Movie>>
1. Frame Rate - 24 frames per second
2. Background
3. Press OK.

b. Create a new symbol of the movie clip type,

Insert>>New Symbol>>Select Movie Clip>>Name it "Chair">>Press OK.

Importing

a. While in the movie clip choose:
File>>Import and browse to the folder containing your image sequence, then click OK. The dialog box will appear at the right.

b. Click "Yes" to the warning dialog box. Flash will automatically import every image in the numeric sequence.

c. In "chair" double-click Frame 35 in the first layer

d. Select "Actions" Tab.

e. Place cursor over + and click

f. Select "Stop." (See .jpeg of captured window), This action places a stop in the final frame of the sequence so the animation won't loop. If you want the animation to loop then leace "Stop" out of layer.

Other Options:

To lengthen or curtail the duration of the movie clip you can add or subtract blank keyframes to the images. You can also import any work you have done in Photoshop or Illustrator and add layers to make the scene more dynamic. You could also add another layer for text.

Trace BitMap

a. In Frame 1 begin Frame-by-Frame modification to sharpen the animation.

b. Select an Image (click image with mouse)

c. Modify>>Trace Bit Map

d. Another window will appear (see image)

e. Choose a color threshold of <1>

f. A Minimum area of 10 Pixels (this depends on the complexity and size of the of the image).

g. Curve Fit>> Very Smooth

h. Corner Threshold>>Few Corners

i. Press OK.

These options may vary depending on the image.

Optimization

Optimization option may distort each frame but will optimize the images.

a. To minimize file size trace the cursor around the picture then select:

Modify>>Curves>>Optimize (see picture optimize.jpeg).

b. In the window you can play with the Smoothing scale for optimization.This will help smooth out the edges.

c. Follow this process Frame-by-Frame until you are done with the clip.

d. Repeat the Trace Bit Maps and Optimization processes from Frame 2 to the last Frame (in the case of "Chair," Frame 35).

Bringing the Movie to the Main Timeline

Change Color and other additional animation options

a. To change animation color in the main timeline begin by Right Clicking the movie "chair."

b. Select Properties from the menu.

c. Select Color Effect Tab.

e. Select "Special" from drop-down.

f. Choose the color then press OK.

g. Click on the Image and Select Resize or Rotate icons in the top left-hand corner of the stage.

h. Dynamic Color Change

i. Click on Frame 22 of Layer:

Insert>>Keyframe

j. Duplication Effects, Action Scripting.

Please refer to the .FLA files provided.

Back (After Video Footage)