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This lesson shows you how to make a simple animated Mask in Flash. A Mask is an object which hides
something. In Flash Masks are used with layers and they provide a simple way to selectively reveal portions of
the Layer or Layers below. Masking requires making one Layer a Mask Layer and the Layers below it become
only partly visible or masked.
8. Click: OK
1. If the Timeline is closed, Open it: Window > Timeline (Ctrl Alt T)
2. In the Timeline re-name Layer 1 to: Background
Rename the Layer to Background.
My text.
6. If the Property Inspector is closed, open it: Window > Properties > Properties (Ctrl F3)
7. If your text is not selected: Select the Text
8. In the Property Inspector check that the text is: Static Text
My Font settings:
The gray colour of the circle is actually a separate object to the actual circle! This is because the circle is actual
a Mask and a Mask is a transparent shape.
Note: Sometimes the Rectangle Tool hides under the PolyStar Tool:
Important: The colour of the rectangle fill must be different to the Movie's background colour!
The circle is animated using a standard Motion Tween. This means that you need to create a symbol to Tween.
Tip: To constrain the Oval Tool to drawing exact circles hold down the Shift Key whist
dragging.
Note: The color of the circle does not matter as it will become a Mask which is a transparent
shape.
Note: If the circle is not the correct size use the Free Transform Tool to change it's size. Don't forget
to return to the Selection Tool:
The circle starts it's animation on the left of Stage so the first thing to do is place it correctly:
1. If the Align Panel is closed, open it: Window > Align (Ctrl K)
2. In the Align Panel if the 'To Stage' option is off, turn it on:
Frame 60 is selected.
7. Select: Frame 30
10. If the Align Panel is closed, open it: Window > Align (Ctrl K)
11. With the circle selected click on: Align Right Edge
13. If you wish you may want to test your Movie: Control > Test Movie (Ctrl Enter)
14. Close the Test Window:
1. In the Timeline right click (Mac: Ctrl click) on the Layer label 'Mask' select: Mask
Note that when you create a Mask the Layers become automatically locked. The lock icon
appears next to the Layer labels. If you wish to edit the Layers you will need to unlock the
Layers by clicking on the lock icon . The Mask will appear to be gone, in actual fact if you test
the Movie you will find that the status of the lock make s no difference in the final Movie. To
make the Mask appear again (in edit mode) re-lock the Layers.
See how the Layers are now locked and the Layer Symbols have now changed from: to:
2. If you wish you may want to test your Movie: Control > Test Movie (Ctrl Enter)
Have fun with your Masks. They are really easy to do! At least I hope they are now you have done this
lesson!
Exercise: