Create classic tween motion along a path



Motion guide layers let you draw paths along which tweened instances, groups, or text blocks can be animated. You can link multiple layers to a motion guide layer to have multiple objects follow the same path. A normal layer that is linked to a motion guide layer becomes a guided layer.

In this example, two objects on separate layers are attached to the same motion path.

For a video tutorial about classic tweens, see www.adobe.com/go/vid0125.

For a written tutorial about classic tweens, see Create a Timeline Animation on the Flash Tutorials web page at www.adobe.com/go/learn_fl_tutorials.

For samples of classic tween animation, see the Flash Samples page at www.adobe.com/go/learn_fl_samples. The following samples are available:

  • Animated Drop Shadow: Download and decompress the Samples zip file and navigate to the Graphics\AnimatedDropShadow folder to access the sample.

  • Animation and Gradients: Download and decompress the Samples zip file and navigate to the Graphics\AnimationAndGradients folder to access the sample.

Create a motion path for classic tweened animation

  1. Create a classic-tweened animation sequence.

    If you select Orient To Path in the Property inspector, the baseline of the tweened element orients to the motion path. If you select Snap, the registration point of the tweened element snaps to the motion path.

  2. Right-click (Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) the layer name of the layer containing the classic tween and choose Add Classic Motion Guide.

    Flash adds a motion guide layer above the classic tween layer and indents the name of the classic tween layer to show that it is bound to the motion guide layer.

    Note: If you already have a guide layer in the Timeline, you can drag a layer containing the classic tween below the guide layer to convert the guide layer to a motion guide and bind the classic tween to it.
    A motion guide layer above the layer containing the classic tween.

  3. To add a path to the motion guide layer to guide the classic tween, select the motion guide layer and use the Pen, Pencil, Line, Circle, Rectangle, or Brush tool to draw the desired path.

    You can also paste a stroke onto the motion guide layer.

  4. Drag the object you are tweening to snap it to the beginning of the line in the first frame, and to the end of the line in the last frame.
    Example of path drawn with a drawing tool.
    A graphic of a car snapped to the beginning of a guide stroke.

    Note: For best snapping results, drag the symbol by its transformation point.
  5. To hide the motion guide layer and the path so that only the object’s movement is visible while you work, click in the Eye column on the motion guide layer.

    The group or symbol follows the motion path when you play the animation.

Link layers to a motion guide layer

 Do one of the following:

  • Drag an existing layer below the motion guide layer. The layer is indented under the motion guide layer. All objects on this layer automatically snap to the motion path.

  • Create a new layer under the motion guide layer. Objects you tween on this layer are automatically tweened along the motion path.

  • Select a layer below a motion guide layer. Select Modify > Timeline > Layer Properties, and select Guide.

Unlink layers from a motion guide layer

 Select the layer to unlink and do one of the following:

  • Drag the layer above the motion guide layer.

  • Select Modify > Timeline > Layer Properties, and select Normal as the layer type.