To open the custom easing dialog box:

1. Create a motion tween, as described in the first example in this section.
2. Click any frame in the tween's frame span and select Motion from the Tween pop-up menu in the Property inspector (Window > Properties).
3. Click the Edit button (next to Ease) in the Property inspector to open the Custom Ease In/Ease Out dialog box.

• Use One Setting for All Properties check box: The default value for this is selected, which means that the displayed curve is used for all properties and the Properties pop-up menu is disabled. When the check box is not selected, the Properties pop-up menu is enabled and each property has a separate curve defining the velocity of that property.
• Property pop-up menu: This menu is enabled only when the Use One Setting for All Properties check box is not selected. When enabled, a separate curve is maintained for each of the five properties appearing in the menu. Selecting a property in the menu displays the curve for that property. The properties are as follows:
• Position: Specifies custom ease settings for the position of an animated object on the Stage.
• Rotation: Specifies custom ease settings for the rotation of an animated object. For example, you can fine-tune how quickly or slowly an animated character turns around to face the user on the Stage.
• Scale: Specifies custom ease settings for the scale of an animated object. For example, you can customize the scale of an object more easily so it appears to be moving away from the viewer, then coming closer, and then moving away again.
• Color: Specifies custom ease settings for color transitions applied to an animated object.
• Filters: Specifies custom ease settings for filters applied to an animated object. For example, you can control the ease setting of a drop shadow that simulates a change in the direction of a light source.
• Play and Stop buttons: These buttons enable you to preview an animation on the Stage using all the current velocity curves defined in the Custom Ease In/Ease Out dialog box.
• Reset button: This button enables you to reset the velocity curve to the default, linear state.
• Position of the selected control point: In the lower-right corner of the dialog box, a numeric value displays the keyframe and position of the selected control point. If no control point is selected, no value appears.

Using frame indicators (represented by square handles), you click where you want an object to slow down or speed up. Clicking the handle of a control point (the square handles) selects that control point and displays the tangent points on either side of it. Tangent points are represented by hollow circles. You can drag the control point or its tangent points with the mouse or you can position them using the keyboard's arrow keys.

Tip: By default, the control points snap to a grid. You can turn off snapping by pressing the X key while dragging the control point.

Clicking an area of the curve away from any control points adds a new control point to the curve at that point without changing the shape of the curve. Clicking away from the curve and control points deselects the control point that is currently selected.

­ Part 2 is in the next issue (MXDJ 3-12)

• Flash Animation Learning Guide (Part II)

• Figure 1
• Figure 2
• Figure 3
• Figure 4