Multimedia - Using Adobe Flash

MP2: Dancing Mannequin (The Bone Tool)

Use the Flash bone tool to link the parts of the mannequin (in the provided file) together. Then set constraints, and finally create a short animation in which the mannequin dances.

Linking the part (the hip bone's connected to the thigh bone.)

Pivot points

OPEN the MannequinMC.fla file; it contains a Flash file with a mannequin drawing. Open it up and observe that each body part is a separate movie clip. Note also that pivot points have been already set for each part so that it will rotate at the joint, not the middle.

1. We next need to use the bone tool to create IK bones. But before we do that we need to do one thing that will make it easier to link our pieces together. Choose Edit > Preferences. Go to the Drawing category and deselect the check box that says "Auto Set Transform Point." When this is checked, the bone tool will set the pivot point when an object is clicked-on. By un-checking the box, the bone tool joints will snap to the pivot points in the objects when clicked-on.

2. Select the bone tool. Start in the center and work your way out. Click on the torso and drag to one of the upper arms;

Armature

Click on the upper arm and drag to the forearm to create the next bone. Then connect the forearm to the hand. For fun you can select the selection tool and give the hand a little shake—the whole arm should move. If you managed to move the arm into a painful looking position, choose undo to go back to the way it was before you mangled his arm.

3. Now link the other arm by doing the same thing on the other side—start at the torso and drag to the upper arm, then forearm, and finally the hand. To do the legs first drawn IK bone from the torso to the pelvis. From the hips draw IK bones down each leg, from the pelvis to the high, thigh to shin, shin to foot. Repeat for both legs.

4. Finally, connect the head/neck to the torso in the same way.

5. The mannequin is now connected, but some...