Q & A about everything in Flash

Terkoiz wrote:Questions and Answers of Everything Flash
Will be updated weekly
This is a thread of questions and answers. Post Questions, People will answer, I will edit (even if it kills my SLP ;_

General Flash Technical Questions
Technical difficulties? Look below!

Q:
What does [Every Tool] do?
A:
•Selection (V): Selects objects in your scene
•Sub-selection (A): Selects the perimeter of your object. It's basically a really in-depth free transform tool
•Free Transform (Q): Transforms your object either by distortion, skew, scale, and actual free transformation.
•Gradient Transformation (F): Selects and directs which way or what position the gradient of which your object is embedded with.
•Line (N): Creates a line that is 1 dimensioned in properties.
•Lasso (L): Selects specific sections of your object
•Pen (P): Ridiculous method of creating lines through forms of math. Don't use it. You'll only get lost.
•Text (T): Creates a text with modifiable properties
•Ova (O)l: Creates an oval using line as borderlines and brush as the filler.
•Rectangle/PolyStar (R): Creates a rectangle/polystar using line as borderlines and brush as the filler.
•Pencil (Y): Free hand way of drawing a line
•Brush (B): Free hand way of drawing a 2 dimensional shape.
•Ink Bottle (S): Makes one line a different color
•Paint Bucket (K): Makes one shape a different color
•Eyedropper (I): Takes colors of a shape or line and making them your color swatch of choice.
•Eraser (E): It does its job.

Q:
What does FPS stand for and what does it do?
A:
Frames per second; it's how many frames your timeline has to reads every second

Q:
What is onion skin? Where is it and how can I modify?
A:
It's a helper to where it can read frames either previously or further down your current selected frame#.
It's all 4 of those buttons to the left of where it reads Current Frame, FPS, and Elapsed Time is.
You can edit it by the Modify Onion Markers or clicking either the end circle or beginning circle of the onion marker itself and dragging it.

Q:
How do Layers work?
A:
Think layers of see-through paper. Top layer will show above the lower layers.

Q:
What buttons(hotkeys) should I know?
A:
, = Previous Frame
. = Next Frame
Enter = Play
F5 = Increase Frame #s
F6 = Make Cut on current frame
F7 = Make Cut on current frame and delete any other frames on

Q:
How do you import a sound clip?
A:
File>Import>Import to Library...
If it shows "One or more files were not imported because there were problems reading them." then it's either a different format or flash is being a pile of poop. Try and get another file of the same sound but on another resource.

Q:
What are filters and how do you access them?
A:
Filters are basically add-on effects to an object. You can only access filters if your object is a Movieclip, Mutton, or a text. It cannot be accessed with a Graphic.

General Flash Techniques and Methods Questions
The "how-to's" and the "when-to's" of animation methods

Q:
What FPS Should I use?
A:
Depends on your pacing on animation.
9fps is generally the more artsy style. More flare for your care.
12fps would be your default. Not a bad FPS Standard but you'll have to do a lot of spacing
15fps is generally just to speed up an animation by a couple of seconds.
18fps is the middle man. If not sure, go with this.
24fps is Big Papa around here. It's generally flash animator's standard fps now a days
30fps is the the maximum amount of frames the average human mind can read. Anything above that is really unnecessary. I love this fps btw.

Q:
What is double/triple/quad framing?
A:
It sounds as it is. Double = 2x, Triple = 3x, Quad = 4x. Used generally on build of anticipation on the right frames or just to prolong some actions.

Q:
When is the right time to use blur?
A:
When the object is moving fast or if you want something to shake or just completely make a smudge.

Q:
Which animating tool is right for me?
A:
You have 4 tools to select upon. Brush, Line, Pencil, or Tween. (most definitely not Pen Tool) It is all dependent on your kind of animation style on what you want to animate.
Brush: Very VERY versatile tool. If you can't decide, go with this. It helps you practice a steady hand and if you want to do some pretty hand drawn effects, go with the sure thing.
Line: Very technical, very smooth, and very controled if used right. If you're going to start out with this, you might have a some difficulties doing some free hand methods.
Pencil: This isn't a bad choice for those who are willing to experiment. It's a less versatile as a brush tool and provides a less control as a line tool. It's really wonderful for outlines though.
Tween: It works better on a higher FPS but it provides very fluid and very smooth transitions if used right. Tween provides less worries for free hand errors. It stays consistent.

Q:
What are methods of animating?
A:
There's 2 methods of animating: Frame by Frame, and Drag/Tween.
Frame by Frame: Redraw almost every frame of your intended object. This method is VERY TEDIOUS but provides good versatility when it comes to more complex actions in simpler objects.
Drag/Tween: A little more consistent with the intended object but provides a little less versatility when it comes to more complex actions. It's really great for keeping complex objects doing simpler actions.

Quality and Concept Questions
All questions about how to achieve maximum entertainment value in your animations and finding your true animation creature.

Q:
How do I find my own style?
A:
Overtime you will get inspired and copy the same concepts of animations you've witnessed and soon merge those compilation of animations into a way of presenting your animation. It's OK to copy other people's style but you're the one who needs to soon form your own to gain a name for yourself.

Q:
How do I sync my animation to a song and when should I sync it?
A:
Set the song to Stream and increase the number of frames to how long you want it to play. Sync your animation when key parts of the song and highlights of your animation go together. This provides maximum ecstasy.

Q:
What is Fluid and Smooth
A:
Both are concepts of quality in your animation and both are 2 DIFFERENT THINGS
Fluidity: How well your animation flows from several frames. It can be as rough and sketchy as possible but if it has fluidity, it's a decent animation. (Example Animation: Rou Bo)
Smoothness: How less your intended object shakes from several frames. (Example Animation: Dead Silent)

Q:
What does physics in an animation consist of?
A:
Weight, Momentum, and Force.
Weight: is basically what it is. If it's heavy, it moves less. If it's light, it moves more. Think friction and gravity.
Momentum: When force is applied, the rest of of it follows through right? Think of energy transition and force.
Force: How hard/fast the thing you're making is going at. If it's going supersonic light-speed, it's going to provide a horde of force. If it's going turtle-fast. It's probably not going to provide any force at all. Think weight and energy transition.




Again, post YOUR QUESTIONS (not obvious ones you already know) and hopefully, people will answer or try to provide help.

Zackie wrote:

Q :
What is a V-cam?

A :
A V-cam is a virtual camera which you use to sort-of-like film scenes of the animations. It shows whatever that is in the camera frame.

Q :
How do i use a V-cam?

A : Set the V-cam to the same size as your canvas and simply drag it around your animation. When resizing the V-cam, hold shift so you won't shape it unevenly. Example : http://www.stonesbucket.com/camera-shakes/ or http://www.fluidanims.com/FAelite/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=3369

Q :
What is a scene and what is it for?

A :
A scene is simply to organise your animation better. It's like a whole new document with new frames and new layers but when exported, all the scenes are produced as one. Think of Scene Selection in movies. To make a new scene. Top Navigation > Insert > Scene

Q :
What is MC?

A :
MC basically means movieclip. It's in like an animated symbol. To make a symbol, either convert an object to a symbol or Ctrl + 8 for new symbol.

Q :
What is tweening?

A :
http://www.stonesbucket.com/flash-concept-tutorials/ < This tutorial covers the basics of tweening and masking.

Q :
What is a preloader?

A :
A preloader is something to preload your animation so the animation doesn't play and then stop halfway to stream/buff. Recommend for most big animations. To make one : http://www.sfdt.com/support/viewtopic.php?t=144

Q :
What is a grid?

A :
A grid is something to touch up and to guide the way you animate. For example, you use a grid to animate walking/running. If you want your figures to walk straight, use a grid. To enable the grid lines > Ctrl + "

Q :
How do i export my animation?

A :
Under Top navigation > File > Export > Export movie, make sure the animation is in a swf. file.
To preview animation > Ctrl + Enter. When doing so, activate Bandwidth Profiler, it gives you more info on the details of the swf. file.


Other tutorial and guides.

About Flash : http://www.sfdt.com/support/viewtopic.php?t=40

A guide to storylines and plots : http://www.sfdt.com/support/viewtopic.php?t=127

The Tutorial for Beginners : http://www.fluidanims.com/FAelite/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=102

Stick Tutorial : http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/442829

Background/Blood/Masking Tutorial : http://www.deletionquality.net/articles/tutorials

Still if there's more questions that need answering, feel free to ask.