Help this guy roar

August 7, 2008 6:32 PM

I want to make this guy roar and wag its tail in flash.

I have a copy of flash, I've got a copy of photoshop, but I really only know how to use photoshop.

So I want to create a loop where dino opens his mouth and roars, then wags his tail, then maybe blinks his eyes, and have it last about 20 seconds long... I know its not rocket science for a flash developer, mind pointing me in the right direction?

posted by pwally to Computers & Internet (3 answers total)

If I were taking it on, this is what I'd do: First, figure out how many articulations would be needed, and then figure out how many discrete shapes to draw.

Based on your description, I'd say you'd need the following shapes:

two or three pieces to make the tail (so that it can flex while it wags), the lower jaw, the eyes (one shape open, one shape closed, one shape half-way closed), everything else

Second, trace the outline for each of those shapes, and add fills.

Third, assemble those shapes to recreate the original still image. (Each shape gets its own layer, and the most important part of this step is figuring out who is in front of who.)

Fourth, start animating.

The eyes are a sprite which blink on a regular or irregular basis. (Irregular blinking requires actionscript, which may be too elaborate for you if you're a newbie.)
posted by Class Goat at 6:54 PM on August 7, 2008

You could read up on the animation palette in Photoshop, and then just use flash to add the sound.
posted by niles at 8:13 PM on August 7, 2008

I'd start with Photoshop, the animation palette, and just make an animated GIF. That's going to be a whole lot easier than Flash for somebody that needs some guidance. Here's a pretty good tutorial.

You'll need to make some more layers of the dino doing the things you want it to, but this way is going to be easier for you. Sound's a whole separate thing - perhaps write the word roar?
posted by razorfrog at 11:26 PM on August 7, 2008