LAYERS

Layers control the stacking order of individual “animations.” Each Flash document has one layer, by default. It is rare, however, to develop anything interesting as an animation with only one layer. Layers are mandatory if you want to have more than one thing moving in your document.

To add layers to your timeline, click on the “add layer” icon at the bottom left of the timeline, or choose Insert > timeline > layer. To delete a layer, click on it and then click on the trash icon at the bottom left of the timeline. You can also change an existing layer’s properties using Modify > timeline > layers.

A motion guide layer guides the movement of an item.
A guide layer is something you create to assist with the exact positioning of object.

The third kind is a mask layer, which hides certain areas of your stage and allows parts to show as they move past the “window” a mask layer creates.
A word of advice: make it a habit to name all the layers in your file—double click its name in the timeline.

MOTION GUIDE LAYERS

Create a motion guide layer by clicking on the motion guide layer icon at the bottom left of the timeline. Before using either option to create a guide layer, make sure the layer you want to affect is selected. The motion guide layer affects the layer directly under it. Anything you draw on a motion guide layer, or a general guide layer, does not export with the final movie.

On the motion guide layer, use the pencil or line tool to draw the path you want something to follow as it moves. For instance, if you wanted to move a bumble bee in spirals across the stage, you would draw a loopy spiral on the guide layer. Once I’ve created a motion guide, I usually lock the layer to prevent messing it up later.

The layer tucked in below a motion guide layer contains the symbol you want to move, along with a tween that creates the motion. See the section on tweening for more details.

MASKING LAYERS

To create a mask layer, you must use the layers properties dialogue box (Modify > layers).

A masked layer affects all the layers beneath it.

Any images you draw on a mask layer become “windows” or holes through which you can see objects on layers tucked in below it. As those objects move, they appear in the window and then disappear as they move past it. You can see the effect of this on stage by hiding the mask layer, or using command return to test the movie.

A masked layer can affect multiple layers, and you can create those links using the layers properties dialog box (or dragging a layer directly beneath the mask layer). Any layer you want to connect to a mask layer needs to be tucked underneath the mask layer: drag it into position or use Modify > timeline > layers.

GUIDE LAYERS

These layers are created using the layer properties palette. Select “guide” to create a layer where you can place guide lines and other objects (to trace, for instance) that will help you position and create objects on other layers. Guide layers don’t export with the movie, so no one sees them but you.

OTHER LAYERS

It’s common practice among Flash users to create separate layers for various part of the movie: one for sounds, one for any actionscript, and one for frame labels. I frequently add one for buttons as well. It’s a good thing and one you should get used to—separating these things visually helps you remember what you’re doing and where you are.

Each layer has four dots that represent hide, show, lock and outline (where you only see a wire frame version of your objects). Locking layers when you are finished working on them is smart. So is turning off their visibility when you are working on complex issues on another layer.

You can rearrange the order of your layers by clicking on the one you want to move and dragging it to where you want it.

SCENES

Flash helps keep things simple by allowing you to break down long, complex animation sequences into scenes. This way, you can deal with relatively short pieces, that will play sequentially and appear seamless. Once you get to the point of having to scroll forever to get to the end of a layer, and then back to the beginning, you’ll definitely appreciate this feature.

Create a new scene from the Insert menu, or by clicking on the new scene icon in the scene panel.

Move from scene to scene in the scene panel, or selecting the scene you want from the clapper icon in the lower right of the timeline.

Test one scene at a time (rather than the whole movie) using command option return.

By default, Flash names the scenes numerically. You can change this in the scene panel (from the Windows menu) by double clicking the name and changing it.

Rearrange scene order by dragging scenes up or down in the scene panel.