Actionscript Artist

This flash 8 tutorial will be presented in a step-by-step format. The source file is here .

1. Open Flash. Create a new document (CONTROL + N). Make the stage slightly bigger than the photo you want to use. Also make the background color of the stage black (or whatever color you want, I’m using black).

2. Click on the first layer and name it image. Import an image of your choice (goto File>Import>Import to Stage or just press CONTROL + R). Place the image within the boundaries of the stage.
3. Create a new layer above the image layer and name it rectangle. Now draw a black rectangle without an outline approximately 2X the width of the image. You may have to zoom out (View>Zoom Out or press CONTROL + -) to make this easier.

4. Click on the rectangle and turn it into a movieclip symbol(Modify>Convert to Symbol or press F8). Double-click on the rectangle movieclip to edit it. With the rectangle selected change the color setting to match the following:

5. Now double-click somewhere outside of the rectangle to return to the main timeline. Place the rectangle over top of the image so that the solid black part covers the entire picture. Now insert a keyframe in the rectangle layer at frame 12. Also insert the actionscpript: stop(); on this frame.

6. At frame 12 of the rectangle move the rectangle movieclip to the left until it no longer covers the image at all. Now right-click anywhere between frame 1 and frame 12 of the rectangle layer and select motion tween. This will create a tween that makes the rectangle move from frame 1 to frame 12.

7. Now click on the 12 frame of the image layer and insert a frame (right-click and select New Frame or press F5). Your timeline should look like this:

Run your movie, because your done! I have only shown you how to implement the gradient effect one way (from right to left). I’ll leave it to you to figure out how to make the gradient effect do other more interesting things. Thanks for participating in this Flash Tutorial.

There was a time a few years ago where Flash Intro’s were gaining popularity. That time is long gone and now it is common knowledge that Flash Intro’s are considered bad design and should no longer be used.

When people visit a site they are interested in the content contained on this site. A Flash Intro delays the user from getting to this valuable content. In a world where time and speed is so important it is just “not cool” to waste someone’s time in this way.

If you already have a Flash Intro for your site, then I’d suggest removing it and maybe posting a link on your homepage to it or turning it into some type of advertisement. This way people who want to view it can and those who don’t want to view don’t have to. If your not willing to do this then at least let the users have the option of skipping the intro.