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Masking

© Umais Ahmad

Masking is an interesting and creative feature of FLASH in which Mask layers play the whole role. Above is a movie playing created using Mask layer. We are going to create this movie in a moment, first lets have a brief overview of Masking.

Masking

Masking is used for giving spotlight effects that is done through Mask layer. Mask layer contains an object through which contents of the underlying layers are visible. There can be more than one underlying layers and these underlying layers are associated with Mask layer. Figure clearly shows the difference between mask and its underlying layers. Keep remember that masking doesn't work inside the buttons. Now follow steps one by one.

STEP 1:

Open a new window and add three layers. Name these layers starting from top 'Hole', 'Contents' and 'Background'.

STEP 2:

Select Background layer and draw a black rectangle covering the whole stage and finally lock this layer.

STEP 3:

Select Contents layer and draw a white rectangle covering the whole stage. Add some text on the same layer and align it center to stage and finally lock this layer.

STEP 4:

Select Hole layer and draw a circle with any color and position it left middle on the stage. Convert this circle to group (for motion tween). Click Frame 30 and press F6. Drag circle and position it right middle on the stage. Click Frame 15 and choose Insert > Create Motion Tween. Here you can use any type of animation except motion paths. Select one by one Frame 30 of both the Background and Contents layers and press F5.

STEP 5:

Right click on the Hole layer and choose Mask from the menu. You will see the layer below to Hole layer has automatically converted to its linked layer. After all your timeline should like as shown in the figure. You have done!

To change the behavior of layers, select layer and choose Modify > Layer. Here different types are given in which two are Mask and Masked. You know what's the difference between them? Very simple, Masked is a underlying layer linked to Mask layer.

How it works?

As you see we can use any color of the circle drawn in the Hole layer. Why? Because it gets transparent in movie and shows the contents of the underlying layer. It shows only that portion of underlying layer that comes under its area.

I hope you have found today's article quite interesting and new. Your Questions, Comments and Suggestions help me a lot.