In this example, you will learn how to:
Step 1
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Detailed Instructions
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Step 2
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Step 3
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Step 4
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Step 5
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Detailed Instructions
In order to create the first part of the starburst illusion, double-click on the rectangle object in the Objects panel to display the Rectangle Object Inspector. In the Rectangle Object Inspector, set the stroke to transparent and the fill to gradient ( Next, expand the Gradient Composer. Using the Gradient Composer, you can change the colors and properties of any gradient to meet your particular needs. In this case, you need a gradient that starts out transparent but quickly turns to an opaque black. To first step towards achieving this look is to set the beginning and ending colors. To set the beginning color to transparent, double-click on the first color well just below the gradient bar to open the Color picker dialog. In the Color picker, set the Alpha value to 0 (don't change the RGB values). Next, set the ending color to black. To do this, double-click on the last color well in the Gradient Composer. Then, in the Color picker, set the RGB values to (0,0,0) and leave the Alpha value at 255. Thus far, you have created an all black gradient that evenly goes from transparent to opaque. In order to finish the first part of the illusion, you need to split the gradient into two segments. In the first segment, the transparency will very quickly become opaque, and in the second segment, the gradient will be a constant opaque black. To do this, right-click on the gradient bar in the Rectangle Tool Inspector, and in the popup menu, choose Operation > Split Here. Next, double-click on the new color well and change its color to black and transparency to 255 in the Color picker. Finally, move the middle color well over so that there is slightly less than the width of one color well between the left and middle color wells. If you look at your rectangle in the document view, you will see that the gradient moves very quickly from transparent to opaque and then remains that way for the rest of the rectangle. |
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Step 6
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Step 7
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Detailed Instructions
Using the Pointer tool, resize the starburst so that the visible portion is approximately the size of the dot on the letter "i" in the banner text. Then, set the position of the starburst just to the left of the text. Next, drag the rectangle down over the banner text so that all of the text is obscured by the opaque portion of the gradient. Ideally, the rectangle is positioned so that the transition point from transparency to opacity cuts right through the center of the starburst. Note however that the starburst itself will not be obscured by the gradient rectangle. |
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Step 8
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Detailed Instructions
The first step towards achieving this is to create additional frames to hold the animation. In the Animation panel, change the Maximum value from 1 to 20 and press Enter. This creates an additional 19 frames to hold the animation.
Next, in the first frame, set the visibility of the star to off. To do this, click on the first frame in the Animation panel, then, in the Objects panel, click on the eye icon ( In the second frame, set the visibility of the star to on. To do this, click on the second frame in the Animation panel, then, in the Objects panel, click in the first column for the star object to make the object visible again. |
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Step 9
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Detailed Instructions
Select frame 4 in the Animation panel. Then, using the Pointer tool, move the rectangle to the right so that the very left hand edge of the first character in the text is revealed. Next, enlarge and reposition the starburst so that it is centered on the left hand edge of the first character in the text. Select frame 17 in the Animation panel. Now, click on the rectangle with the Pointer tool and use your keyboard move the rectangle to the right until the very right hand edge of the last letter in the text is obscured by the opaque portion of the rectangle. Pressing the Shift key in combination with the arrow keys allows you to move an object over large increments. Next, click on the starburst with the Pointer tool and use your keyboard to move the starburst until the center of the starburst is over the right hand side of the last letter in the text. e-Picture will calculate all of the starburst and rectangle positions for frames 5 through 16 to create a smooth animation.
Lastly, in the next step the size of the starburst will be changing. In order to keep the size of the starburst the same through frame 17, you need to add a key ( |
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Step 10
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Detailed Instructions
Select frame 19 in the Animation panel. Using the Pointer tool, select the rectangle and move it far enough to the right so that the text is completely visible. Next, use the Pointer to reduce the size of the starburst to about the size of the dot on the "i" in the text and move it to the right past the text. Select frame 20 in the Animation panel. In the Objects panel, select the starburst object and click on its eye icon to make it invisible. Run your animation and see how it looks! Depending on your hardware, it may appear to run very quickly. This can be remedied at export time. Also, if you decide that the animation is not quite perfect, you can always make corrections later. With e-Picture objects are always editable. |
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Step 11
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Detailed Instructions
Next, export your image as an animated GIF by choosing File > Export > GIF Animated. The resultant Animated GIF export dialog provides you with numerous options which allow you to export a file that meets your particular needs. Check the option for "Generate HTML" and set the "Override Document Speed" field to 15 hundredths of a second. Press the Save As... button. You are prompted to enter a name and a directory for your GIF. By checking the Generate HTML check box, a .html file with the same name as your GIF file is also created in this location. |
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