|
|
|
Using the Geometric Shapes
|
|
There are four shapes provided so that you can create your animated image. The image is created by arranging and assigning colors to the shapes once they are placed on the workspace.
Creating and Deleting ShapesBack to Index
In order to create an image you need to place the geometric shapes on the workspace given.
 |
- To place the shapes on the workspace
Drag the shape from the tool bar into the workspace or click on the shape.
- To move the shapes
Drag the shape or use the shift and arrow keys.
- To delete a shape
Click on the shape and press delete.
- To delete all the images on the screen
Click
|
You can place as many shapes as you need to create your image.
Note: You should try to minimize the number of shapes used to create the image, in order to maximize the performance.
Assigning Color to the ShapeBack to Index
 |
Drag your shape to the workspace. Select the shape you would like to assign color and then click on the palette. There are three qualities to choose from within the palette:
- Hue (“colors” shown in the outer box)
- Saturation, (intensity of the color, ranges from more saturated on the right to less on the left)
- Luminosity (lightness - ranges from lighter at the top to darker at the bottom)
|
 |
You may also select a color from within your workspace by selecting the “Pipette” (dropper) and then clicking on the desired color. |
After placing the shapes on the workspace a box appears around the shape with small boxes around its periphery. These small boxes allow you to change the shape’s or group of shapes width and height. The size of the shape or group of shapes can also be changed while maintaining its proportions.
To scale the height and width of the shapes:
- Select
 (Shortcut: Q).
- Click on the shape or mark a group of shapes.
- Click on any of the small boxes on the periphery of the line.
- Move the pointer until the shape or group of shapes is at the desired height and width.
To scale the shape while constraining the proportions:
- Hold the shift and drag a corner box.
- Adjust the size of the shape or group of shapes.
The width and height and the size of every shape can be changed in this manner. The same shape can be scaled again later by simply clicking on the shape again. For more information on how to create a group of shapes, see Grouping Shapes.
Note: When you change the objects pivot the shapes also scale in relation to the pivot point. For more on pivoting see Pivoting the Shape.
After placing the shapes on the workspace a box appears around the shape with small boxes around its periphery. Placing the pointer outside one of the corner boxes allows you to rotate the shape.
In order to rotate shapes:
- Select
- Click on a shape or group of shapes.
- Place the pointer outside one of the corners of the shape.
- Drag the
 to rotate the shape.
To rotate shapes 45 degrees:
- Place the pointer outside one of the corners of the selected shape or group of shapes.
Note: If you move the pivot point the shape rotates in relation to the pivot point. For more information on pivoting, see Pivoting the Shape.
Each shape or group of shapes can be rotated in this manner. The same shape can be rotated again later by repeating the steps. For information on how to group shapes, see Grouping Shapes.
After placing the shapes on the workspace a box appears around the shape with a circle in the center. This circle acts as the pivoting point of the shape. This means that the when the shape or group of shapes are moved, scaled or rotated, it is done in relation to the placement of the pivot point.
To change the pivot:
- Select .
- Select a shape or group of shapes.
- Drag the circle in the center of the shape or group of shapes to the desired pivoting point.
- Click on shape or group of shapes.
- Rotate or scale the shape as desired.
The circle can also be dragged outside the shape or group of shapes and still be used as a pivot. For information on how to group shapes, see Grouping Shapes.
In order to create animated characters by only using four basic shapes, it may be necessary to layer several shapes by either sending the shape to the front or to the back of the other shapes. An example of this can be seen in the following image:
To send a shape to the front:
- Click on the shape to be moved.
- Click on the
 till the shape moves to the front (Shortcut: ctrl and the up arrow).
To send a shape to the back:
- Click on the shape to be moved.
- Click on the
 till the shape moves to the front (Shortcut: ctrl and the down arrow).
Inverting the shapes allows you to change the colors of the selected shapes to their opposites, for example blue to red.
To invert the shapes:
- Click on the shapes to be inverted.
- Press / or Click
When you create an image you may want to rotate, pan, zoom in and out, and scale all the shapes together as a group, so that shapes remain as one unit.
To group the shapes:
- Drag the pointer over the shapes creating a box over them.
- Click on the left box under the selection group area indicated by the triangle.
- Double click on the word “group” to name the group of shapes.
- To delete the group:
Drag the title of the group into the right box.
When you click on the name of the group, the group of shapes is selected. You can rotate, pan, zoom in and out, pivot or scale the shapes as a group as you would one shape.
The “Nuke It” feature slightly rattles the shapes moving them out of line.
This can be helpful when creating your animation so that you don’t have to reposition all the shapes if you want to show a slight movement or “falling apart” You can nuke them as many times as you like until you get the desired effect. If you do not select which shapes you would like to “nuke”, the feature “nukes” all the shapes in the workspace.
|
|