Flash masking effects

April 2, 2006 11:51 AM

Flash masking effects: I'm trying to duplicate the flash slideshow photo transition at http://www.247consult.com/ (minus the menu). I've found a file on istockphoto that's close, but very difficult for me to customize to my own photo dimensions. I've yet to find a decent tutorial on masks much less one that creates the nifty "box" effect. Furthermore, I don't know what this type of mask is generally referred to....Ideas?
posted by masymas to computers & internet (5 comments total)

I don't know that this type of mask has a general name, but if you grok masking in general, what is it about doing this in particular that's giving you trouble?
My own flash skills are insufficient to know how to script/automate it, but on a by-hand tween basis, I don't see anything particularly complicated.
posted by juv3nal at 1:23 PM on April 2, 2006

This is a nice - and free - Flash image gallery script. One of the transitions ("blocks") has a very similar masking effect to the commercial one on istockphoto. No tutorial though, I'm afraid.
posted by blag at 2:55 PM on April 2, 2006

in flash a mask is a vector shape (a box, a drawing with their pen or paint tools, an animated series of boxes drawn with their tools, etc) that is in the layer above the photo you want to use. you tell the layer to be a mask (usually right click on the layer name) and once the mask layer and the layer below are "locked" you can turn the mask to invisible and all that will show is the image below but only where you have drawn in the mask. I'm trying to explain everything without being confusing, unfortunately animation in flash is easygoing enough but a convoluted mess to explain initially.
posted by psychobum at 3:10 PM on April 2, 2006

if animating in flash scares you, you might be better off looking for software that creates preset flash looks, like flying text and stuff. flashkit.com is the best place to look for anything related to flash.
posted by psychobum at 3:11 PM on April 2, 2006

thanks blag, this is perfect! and xml file input to boot - score !!! ;)
posted by masymas at 6:31 PM on April 2, 2006