Learning Adobe Flash CS4

By Greg Bowden

Chapter 15

Using the 3D
Tools

Guided Computer Tutorials

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© Greg Bowden

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First published 2009

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Module 2 1 921217 68 5

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 Chapter

15
Using the 3D Tools
Flash provides two 3D tools, the 3D Rotation Tool and the 3D Translation Tool. These
tools allow you to move and rotate objects as if they were three-dimensional shapes. The
shapes are not true 3D shapes, just 2D postcards and the tools only operate on Movie Clip
symbols.

The 3D Rotation Tool

The 3D ROTATION TOOL allows you to rotate an object in the X, Y and Z axes.

A Creating the Movie Clip

In order to use the 3D ROTATION TOOL, an object created in Flash or an image imported
into the LIBRARY panel must be converted to a MOVIE CLIP symbol.
1 Load FLASH or close the current files, then create a NEW FLASH FILE.

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Learning Adobe Flash CS4

4 Display the MODIFY menu and select CONVERT TO SYMBOL (or press the F8 key).

B Selecting the 3D Rotation Tool

2 The rotation guides have the following purposes:

- The RED guide controls the HORIZONTAL (or X axis) movement.
- The GREEN guide controls the VERTICAL (or Y axis) movement.
- The BLUE guide controls the DEPTH (or Z axis) movement.
- The ORANGE guide controls the movement in both the vertical and horizontal
planes.

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 Using the 3D Tools 15

C Rotating the Object

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Learning Adobe Flash CS4

D Adjusting the Perspective

You can control the FIELD OF VIEW (camera angle) by adjusting the PERSPECTIVE ANGLE
in the PROPERTIES panel.

NOTE: The default camera angle is 55° which can be entered in the
PERSPECTIVE ANGLE box to return the view to normal.

E Adjusting the Vanishing Point

The VANISHING POINT controls the depth of view the of three dimensional object.

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 Using the 3D Tools 15
F Moving the Rotation Point
You can adjust the point around which the rotation occurs. At the moment the rotation
is around the centre of the object.

4 Experiment with some other 3D rotations.

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Learning Adobe Flash CS4

G Using the 3D Rotation Tool in Animations

1 Press the DELETE key to remove the object from the stage.

3 Display the INSERT menu and select MOTION TWEEN to start the animation.

5 Test the movie then close the TEST MOVIE screen.

6 Experiment with some further rotations at FRAME 24.

7 Try insetting some rotations at some of the other frames.

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 Using the 3D Tools 15

The 3D Translation Tool

This time some text will be moved using the 3D TRANSLATION TOOL.

A Creating the Movie Clip Symbol

1 Close the current file without saving and create a NEW FLASH FILE.

4 Select the SELECTION TOOL and the text box should be selected, then display the
MODIFY menu and select CONVERT TO SYMBOL (or press F8).

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