adobe flash cs5 on demand part 49 doc

ptg
Chapter 11 Creating Masks 301
To activate a mask, you simply lock it and any of the linked layers
beneath it. Linked layers are indented in the Layer Name region and
have tinted blue icons. You can lock and unlock a mask and its layers to
edit them and see the effects of the mask in the Flash development
environment. You can also use the Test command (in Flash
Professional) to view the masking effects in the Flash Player.
Activating a Mask
Activate a Mask
Open a document with a masked
layer.
Click the black dot in the lock
column of the mask layer to lock it.
The dot changes to a lock icon.
Click this dot on each linked layer
to lock all of them and see the
masking effect.
TIMESAVER
You can click the
Lock icon at the top of the lock
layers column to lock all the layers
in your Timeline simultaneously.
3
2
1
2
Shapes
drawn on
the mask
layer define

the visible
area.
From the Library of Wow! eBook
ptg
302 Chapter 11
Masks are editable. Which type of element you are using in the mask
layer defines the procedure for editing: editable shapes can be modi-
fied with Flash's drawing tools, while groups and symbols must be
edited in their own editing modes. Regardless, Flash only concerns
itself with the fill area. Changes to color, alpha, and other such attrib-
utes are ignored. To edit a mask, you must first unlock it. To view your
changes, simply re-lock the mask layer and all of its linked layers.
Editing a Mask
Edit a Mask
If the mask layer is locked, click on
the lock icon in the Lock Layer
column to unlock the layer and
enable it for editing.
Edit the shape of the mask or, if
using a group or symbol, enter the
group or symbol's editing mode.
Re-lock the mask layer and any
linked layers to view changes.
3
2
1
1
Add or delete
shapes, or draw
new ones with

any of Flash’s
drawing tools.
3
From the Library of Wow! eBook
ptg
Chapter 11 Creating Masks 303
To remove a mask layer entirely, select it and then click the
Delete Layer icon. You can also convert a mask layer back to a normal
layer in the Layer Properties dialog box. Additionally, you can remove
linked layers from a mask layer set by dragging them out of the
indented set.
Removing a Mask
Remove a Mask
Click on the mask layer to select it.
Click the Modify menu, point to
Timeline, and then click Layer
Properties.
Click the Normal option from the
Layer Type list.
Click OK.
The mask layer is converted into a
normal layer.
TIMESAVER
Press
Control+click (Mac) or right-click
(Win) the Layer Name area of the
mask layer you want to convert
back into a normal layer, and then
click Mask to deselect it.
4

3
2
1
3
4
Mask layer becomes a Normal layer.
1
From the Library of Wow! eBook
ptg
304 Chapter 11
Add layers to an existing mask by dragging them to any region within
the masked layer hierarchy. Simply drag it between layers already
linked, drag it under the mask layer, or drag it slightly up toward the
bottom of a masked layer set. There is no limit to the number of layers
that can be contained in a mask. Additionally, you can remove linked
layers by dragging them out and above the mask layer set.
Adding Layers to a
Mask
Link Additional Layers to
a Mask
To add additional layers to a mask,
do one of the following:
◆ Click and drag the layer below
the mask.
◆ Click and drag the layer until it
touches the bottom of a layer
already linked to the mask.
1
To add a l ayer t o the t op of o r betw e en the l inke d laye r s of
the mask set, click and drag the layer into the indented set.

To add a l ayer t o the b otto m of the m ask s e t,
click and drag slightly below the set to link it.
Layers linked to the mask.
Any layer
can be
added to
an existing
mask layer
set.
Did You Know?
You can change the order of the linked
layers.
Masked layers behave the
same as other layers. Click and drag
the layers to reorder them in the
indented set.
From the Library of Wow! eBook
ptg
Chapter 11 Creating Masks 305
Remove a Linked Layer from
a Mask
Click on the linked layer, and then
drag it above the masked layer.
The layer will no longer be linked
to the mask and the indentation
disappears.
1
Select the layer you want to remove. Drag it
above the mask layer until a gray bar appears.
1

Select the layer you want to remove.
Layer is no longer linked to the mask.
From the Library of Wow! eBook
ptg
306 Chapter 11
To create special effects such as a spotlighting effect or a gradual
reveal of artwork on the Stage, you can animate a mask. Use any form
of animation such as frame-by-frame animation or a shape or motion
tween. The path of the shape or object on the mask layer will reveal the
art below as it passes over it. Transforms to scale and position work
well as well as shape tweens to editable objects. Other effects such as
color and alpha will be ignored.
Animating a Mask
Layer
Animate a Mask
Place artwork in a linked layer.
Click on the first frame of the
layer's mask layer in the Timeline.
Do one of the following:
◆ Draw a shape on the Stage
with any of Flash's drawing
tools.
◆ Drag an instance of a symbol
from the Library.
Select the first frame with the
shape or symbol.
Click the Insert menu, and then
click Classic Tween (when using
symbols) or Shape Tween (when
using editable shapes).

Click frame 12 in the Timeline.
Click the Insert menu, point to
Timeline, and then click Keyframe.
TIMESAVER
Press F6 to add a
keyframe.
Transform the object with any of
Flash's editing procedures: scale,
skew, position, or in the case of
shape tweening, edit the shape of
the object.
Lock the mask layer and linked
layer to see the effect.
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8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
6
Frame 1 3 5 7 9 10
Tweened scale changes on th e ma sk layer
reveal the photograph located on the
linked layer beneath the mask in stages.
8
9
From the Library of Wow! eBook