How to Animate 8-Bit Character Models With Macromedia Flash

Select and Prepare Sprite Sheet

• 1

  Open a sprite sheet in Adobe Photoshop or similar software program. If the sprite sheet has a solid color background, the background needs to be deleted. If the background is already transparent, proceed to Section 2.

• 2

  Remove the background color. Select the Magic Wand tool in Photoshop or similar tool in a different program that allows selection of individual colors. Click on the background color to select it, and then press "Delete."

• 3

  Save the image as a portable network graphic (.PNG). That will preserve the transparent background.

Import to Flash

• 4

  Open a new Adobe/Macromedia Flash file or the one you intend to use.

• 5

  Import the image to be used into Flash. To do this, go to the File menu. Select "Import" from the menu, and then choose "Import to Stage." Select the file from the browser window. The click on the file and press "Open," or simply double-click on the file.

• 6

  Convert the image to a bitmap. This allows you to work with individual sprites. Begin by selecting the image. Go up to "Modify," then select "Bitmap" and choose "Trace Bitmap." A property box will open.

• 7

  Adjust the settings. The minimum area should be "1" pixel. In the "Curve Fit" drop down, select "Pixels." Leave the "Color Threshold" setting at 100 and the "Corner Threshold" as "Normal."

• 8

  Select the series sprites to be animated. This involves separating them from the sprites that will not be used.

• 9

  Delete the unused sprites.

Create Animation

• 10

  Convert a sprite to a symbol. Select the first sprite in the series, and then press the F8 key. A property box will open. In the box, enter a name for the symbol. The name is how you find it in the library. For "Type," select "Movie Clip." Then press "OK." The symbol will be in the same location on the stage with a blue box around it.

• 11

  Select the next sprite position. Go up to "Edit" and select "Copy," or press Ctrl+C on the keyboard. After it is copied, delete the image.

• 12

  Double-click on the movie clip on the stage. That will let you go inside the symbol, where the animation will be created. You will notice that the first sprite is already on Frame 1.

• 13

  Insert a blank key frame. Right-click on "Frame 2" of the time line. Then select "Insert Blank Key Frame." Also at the top you can select "Insert" and select "Insert Blank Key Frame" from the menu.

• 14

  Add the copied sprite. Select the Blank Key Frame, and paste the copied sprite onto the stage.

• 15

  Move the new image into place. Do so by using the Onion Skin as a guide. Ensure it lines up with the image on the previous frame.

• 16

  Return to the main time line. This is done by clicking on "Scene 1" at the top of the stage.

• 17

  Repeat this process until the animation is complete.

• 18

  Test the animation. Do that by pressing Ctrl+Enter on the keyboard. You can make adjustments if necessary.

Create Animated GIFs

• 19

  Resize the stage to match the dimensions of the symbol.

• 20

  Adjust the Publish Settings. Select "Publish Settings" from the File menu Uncheck the "Flash" and "HTML" boxes. Check the "GIF Image" box. Click on the folder to name it, and select the location for the GIF. Then press "Save."

• 21

  Adjust the GIF settings in the GIF tab. For "Playback," select "Animated."

• 22

  Return to the Formats tab.

• 23

  Click on "Publish."