Flash MX: 3D Text Rotation Animation
Version:
Flash MX
Level:
Medium
Objectives: To create and animate
text around an object or image in Flash MX
Tools & Techniques: Masking,
Animation, Fireworks MX, Text Around Path, Exporting From
Fireworks to Flash,
Source File:
Download
This next lesson is by far one of my favorite effects. It's
been a popular logo effect for years and has been created in a
variety of programs. We'll be using Flash MX to create the
majority of this effect but we'll also be getting a little help
from Fireworks MX.
Speaking of Fireworks, let's start out in Fireworks MX to
create our circular text. You could use another graphics program
to create your circular text such as Freehand or Illustrator,
but we'll be using Fireworks for this example.
Step 1: Creating Text Around
the Path In Fireworks MX
In this first page of the tutorial we'll be working in
Fireworks MX to create our text around a path. If you already
know how to do this you can skip to Page 2 and begin creating
the effect in Flash MX.
- Begin by typing out your text. This can be a sentence, a
group of words, or the same word repeated.
- Next, select the Ellipse Tool (U) and draw out a perfect
circle by holding down the Shift key
as you drag out your circle.
- Select both your text and your circle by either
Shift-Clicking each object or
using the Pointer Tool (V) (the black arrow) to drag a
selection around parts of each object.
- With both the text and the path (circle) selected, go up
to Text > Attach To Path. This
will wrap your text around the circle. You may need to make
some additional adjustments to your text once it's on the
path. If you see that your text is too small, you can increase
the font size in the Property inspector
the same way you would normal text. Conversely, if you see
that some of your words are missing on the path, you will want
to reduce your font size.
Note: After you have your font
size adjusted, you may still need to adjust some spacing between
the words. You do this by adjusting the
Kerning. I had to increase my kerning by 1 as you can see
in the image below:
Step 2: Exporting From
Fireworks To Flash
There are several ways to get our Fireworks graphics to
Flash. For this example, we'll use the new Quick Export button
in Fireworks MX.
Note: If I were working in a production environment, I would
chose the shortcut keys, Control-Shift-R/Command-Shift-R to
bring up the Export window since I can work faster that way.
That being said, I still think the Quick Export button is a very
clever and helpful tool for new users.
- Click the Quick Export
button in the top right corner of your Fireworks MX document
and select Macromedia Flash > Export
swf...
- In the Flash swf Export Options window, set
Objects to Maintain Paths
- For the Text option, set it
to Maintain Editability
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