[Spritemaster]

New project, new comp (300×200, 20fps, 10sec long), add a text layer, throw in some animations and effects, File->Export->Macromedia Flash (SWF), select file, Set Jpeg Quality to High (6), Rasterize unsupported features, no audio, no options checked.

The resultling .swf file looks very similar to the original comp, with the obvious slight degradation in image quality. As you can see the comp is 20fps, I don’t know how far .swf can be pushed but you shouldn’t try to venture far beyond that point. Flash is not meant for the editing room 🙂

– A. A.

[Spritemaster]

The experts here would probably know why this is happening, but frankly I don’t see why it should. I’ve exported many .swf files from AE 6.5 without any timing problems. What frame rate is your original comp? Are you using any interlaced format?

– A. A.

[Spritemaster]

Of course it’s possible. Here’s a sketchy account, if you need more details let me know. Just a word of warning, I’m writing this off the top of my head without actually trying it out, so I will probably make some silly mistakes you’ll need to correct 🙂

Let’s say the center of your rectangle is at (xc, yc). Since you want to move the rectangle, just make those parameters controllable by sliders. Also, suppose the rectangle has width w and height h (if you wish, you could even make controls for these, so you can stretch and resize). You have a slider controlling an angle we’ll call th, and finally a slider for the “time” t; as you move t from 0 to 1 your bug will crawl along the perimeter of the rectangle. The 0-1 range is just for convenience, of course; you can choose whatever you like.

Define variables x0, y0 and set them as follows:

if t<=0.25 then x0 = xc-w/2, y0 = yc+h/2-4*h*t; if t>0.25 and t<=0.5 then x0 = xc-w/2+4*w*(t-0.25), y0 = yc-h/2; if t>0.5 and t<=0.75 then x0=xc+w/2, y0=yc-h/2+4*h*(t-0.5); if t>0.75 then x0=xc+w/2-4*w*(t-0.75), y0=yc+h/2;

So far, x0 and y0 indicate the location of the ant ignoring the rotation. Finally we need to rotate. I’m assuming the rotation is about the center (xc, yc) of the rectangle, wherever it is as the moment; in principle you can rotate about other points but I don’t think this is what you’re after.

So…
x1 = xc + (x0-xc)*cos(th) + (y0-yc)*sin(th);
y1 = yc – (x0-xc)*sin(th) + (y0-yc)*cos(th);

And that’s it: (x1, y1) is where the ant needs to be.

If you’re familiar with AE expressions and controls you should be able to use these formulas to make your ant. Good luck,

– A. A.

[Spritemaster]

Of course it’s possible. Here’s a sketchy account, if you need more details let me know. Just a word of warning, I’m writing this off the top of my head without actually trying it out, so I will probably make some silly mistakes you’ll need to correct 🙂

Let’s say the center of your rectangle is at (xc, yc). Since you want to move the rectangle, just make those parameters controllable by sliders. Also, suppose the rectangle has width w and height h (if you wish, you could even make controls for these, so you can stretch and resize). You have a slider controlling an angle we’ll call th, and finally a slider for the “time” t; as you move t from 0 to 1 your bug will crawl along the perimeter of the rectangle. The 0-1 range is just for convenience, of course; you can choose whatever you like.

Define variables x0, y0 and set them as follows:

if t<=0.25 then x0 = xc-w/2, y0 = yc+h/2-4*h*t; if t>0.25 and t<=0.5 then x0 = xc-w/2+4*w*(t-0.25), y0 = yc-h/2; if t>0.5 and t<=0.75 then x0=xc+w/2, y0=yc-h/2+4*h*(t-0.5); if t>0.75 then x0=xc+w/2-4*w*(t-0.75), y0=yc+h/2;

So far, x0 and y0 indicate the location of the ant ignoring the rotation. Finally we need to rotate. I’m assuming the rotation is about the center (xc, yc) of the rectangle, wherever it is as the moment; in principle you can rotate about other points but I don’t think this is what you’re after.

So…
x1 = xc + (x0-xc)*cos(th) + (y0-yc)*sin(th);
y1 = yc – (x0-xc)*sin(th) + (y0-yc)*cos(th);

And that’s it: (x1, y1) is where the ant needs to be.

If you’re familiar with AE expressions and controls you should be able to use these formulas to make your ant. Good luck,

– A. A.

[Spritemaster]

Tell us! Tell us! 🙂

(I can probably think of some ways, but it’ll be nice to know what you came up with).

AA

[Spritemaster]

Your main options are:

* Camtasia Studio (www.techsmith.com)
* Microsoft Producer (free download from Microsoft)
* Articulate Presenter (www.articulate.com, creates Flash with embedded audio and video).

There are a few others, but I believe those are the best.

Good luck,

AA