MACROMEDIA DIRECTOR MX-USING DIRECTOR MX, Use Manual

Page: 197 / 624

Animation 197
Using film loops
A film loop is an animated sequence that you can use like a single cast member. For example, to
create an animation of a bird flying across the Stage, you can create a film loop of the sequence of
cast members that shows the bird flapping its wings. Instead of using the frame-by-frame
technique, you create a sprite containing only the film loop and then animate it across as many
frames as you need. When you run the animation, the bird flaps its wings and at the same time
moves across the Stage.
You can also use film loops to consolidate Score data. Film loops are especially helpful when you
want to reduce the number of sprite channels you’re using. You can combine several Score
channels into a film loop in a single channel.
To determine if a film loop is cropped or scaled within a sprite’s bounding rectangle and to make
the film loop repeat or mute its sounds, you use the Film Loop Cast Member properties. See
“Setting film loop properties” on page 198.
Film loops are useful for animating repetitive motions and combining sprites to use fewer channels.
To create a film loop:
1
In the Score, select the sprites you want to turn into a film loop.
Use sprites in as many channels as you need in film loops—even in the sound channel. Select
sequences in all the channels you want to be part of the film loop. You can select sprite
fragments if you first select a sprite and select Edit > Edit Sprite Frames. Control-click
(Windows) or Command-click (Macintosh) to select sequences that aren’t in adjacent
channels.
2
Select Insert > Film Loop.
A dialog box appears asking you to name the film loop.
3
Enter a name for the film loop.
Director stores all the Score data and cast member references as a new film loop cast member.
Note: You can drag a selection from the Score to the Cast window to quickly create a film loop cast member in
that position.
A film loop behaves just like any other cast member, with a few exceptions:
•
When you step through an animation that contains a film loop (either by using Step Forward
or Step Backward or by dragging the playhead in the Score), the film loop doesn’t animate.
Animation occurs only when the movie is running.
•
You can’t apply ink effects to a film loop. If you want to use ink effects with a film loop, you
need to apply them to the sprites that make up the animation before you turn the animation
into a film loop.
•
Lengthening or shortening a sprite that contains a film loop doesn’t affect how fast the film
loop plays. It changes the number of times the film loop cycles.