Spot Effect
Software : Flash 8.0
Level : Intermediate

Concept: This effect is created using the circle, animated and moved over different positions like a spot light. The image is kept stationary and the circle is applied with motion tween using Adobe Flash software. You will see as if the spot light is moving over an image revealing the portion of it. The circle is animated and converted to mask. You can use colorful image and move the circle over particular spots to reveal them.

1. You need to set the stage of the image size. We have taken the following image for the spot masking effect.

2. Open flash and create a new file. If you know the image size you can create the file of the same size. Hence we have created the file of 400 x 257 pixels.

Modify > Document (change the size to image size)

3. Import image to stage.

File > Import > Import to Stage

4. Fit the image on the stage using Selection tool. You can also use Align command if you want to do this with precision. Insert frame on 60.

5. Rename the image layer to Image. Lock the image layer.

6. Add one layer. Name it as Mask. Select it and draw the circle using Oval Tool at the left bottom corner of the image with no stroke. You can use any color for fill.

7. Select circle and convert to symbol using F8. Select Graphics for option type and name it as Circle.

8. Select Mask layer. Insert Keyframe on 20th frame. Keep the slider on 20th frame. Drag the circle at the position shown below.

9. Keep the mask layer selected. Insert Keyframe on 40th frame. Keep the slider on 40th frame. Drag the circle at the position shown below.

10. Keep the mask layer selected. Insert Keyframe on 60th frame. Keep the slider on 60th frame. Drag the circle at the position shown below.

11. Select the first frame on the mask layer and change the Tween property to Motion. Repeat the same for 20th and 40 frame.

12. Right click on the mask layer and Select Mask. The timeline will look like following image.

13. Export movie using File > Export > Export Movie