(1) (2) (3) (4)

In a previous tutorial I demonstrated several ways to use 'tweening' in your Flash animations. But there is a last method of animation that uses 'tweening.' It is called 'morphing.' Morphing is the process of changing one shape into a completely different shape. I'm sure you've seen similar effects in movies like 'T2' (Terminator 2) and 'The Mask.' We can achieve a similar result in Flash.

Morphing Rules! Morphing Laws, I Mean
Unlike motion tweening, you must use ungrouped graphics to morph shapes. Flash can not morph symbols or text (unless you first apply 'break apart'). You can morph multiple objects in the same layer but you will often get strange results because Flash creates morphs by the most direct route possible. My suggestion is to use different layers for each object morph. It is also easier to keep track of what you are creating. These rules are not as limiting as you might believe.

Morphing a Simple Shape
Let's begin with a very simple 'morph' from a square shape to a circle shape.

1) In Layer 1 - Create a square shape in the center of the canvas.

2) Go - Insert - Blank Keyframe - at frame 20 (or Press F7 key). The circle vanishes.

3) Select frame 20 in Layer 1 and create a circle. It does not have to be in the exact location as the circle. This can be edited later if you wish using the 'onion skin' feature.

Square - Keyframe 1	Circle - Keyframe 2

This is how your timeline should look

4) Now select Frame 1. Go to the 'Frame palette' on the right or press - Ctrl-F to bring it up. Open the 'tweening' drop down menu and choose 'shape.'

Select 'shape' tweening

5) Press - Enter to test your creation.

The circle takes the square

(1) (2) (3) (4)