Re: FLASH: 3d vector art

[John Dowdell]

> It looks to me like the easiest way to create those animations would

> be to make the flat image in a Illustrator, import it into Dimensions,

> export it as Illustrator, import it into flash, break the images apart

> and then replace the shading effect... with a gradient.



Actually, the usual sequence described here is:


a)  Render in your 3D program, using cartoon shaders if you have them.


b)  Import these pixel-based graphics into Flash and trace.


c)  Create shading via native Flash gradients.



Notes:


--  Cartoon shaders help create sharp shading lines. If your 3D renderer

doesn't have them, then try cranking up the keylight and reducing ambient

and fill lights.


--  Render out as sequential still images: DIBs, BMPs, PICTs, whatever.


--  Try the autotrace in Flash. For some designs it works great.


--  If tracing in specialist tools such as Streamline or FreeHand, then be

sure to optimize the number of points. (Use FreeHand's "Simplify" command,

for instance.) Watch your settings to avoid background shapes and groups.

Optimize curves in Flash, too.


--  Dimensions and AddDepth simulated shading by PostScript blends. If you

import these into Flash you'll have lots and lots of little lines.


--  Pay *great* attention to your final file size. It's easy to get big

downloads if the 3D part overwhelms the Flash part.


--  Every tracing adds a new symbol, and costs. The fewer frames you trace,

the smaller the final file.


--  In Flash you get movement, scaling, and z-rotation for free. Once you

make a looping symbol or movie clip, you can animate it in a 2D way.


--  Some have reported success when using Flash morphing to interpolate

between key shapes. But note that 2D interpolation is very different from

3D interpolation, because the 3D reality of the shape would not necessarily

be respected. Your mileage may vary greatly here.



jd




John Dowdell, Macromedia Tech Support, San Francisco CA US

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