Shape tweening allows you to animate one shape into another. It operates on objects drawn using tools such as the rectangle, circle or pencil tools. It does not work with grouped objects or symbols.
The instructions in this exercise feature Adobe Flash, but may also be followed step-by-step for Adobe Animate.
Let’s change a rectangle into a circle.
Create a new Flash (or Animate) ActionScript 3.0 document and draw a filled rectangle that has no stroke near the left of the stage.
In the TIMELINE panel click on Frame 20 then display the INSERT menu, highlight TIMELINE and select KEYFRAME to insert a keyframe. The F6 key can be pressed as a shortcut.
Select the SELECTION TOOL, click on the KEYFRAME marker at Frame 20, delete the rectangle and draw a circle near the right of the stage. Note: The rectangle is still at the Keyframe at Frame 1.
Select the KEYFRAME marker at Frame 1 then display the INSERT menu and select SHAPE TWEEN to create the shape animation. Note: Notice that the Timeline is green indicating that a Shape tween has been created. Motion tweens are light blue.
Test the animation and the rectangle should change into a circle.
Select the KEYFRAME marker at Frame 1 and select the SELECTION TOOL.
Click outside the rectangle to deselect it then move the pointer close to a border until an arc is added to the pointer. Try dragging the borders of the rectangle to create an irregular shape. You can hold down the <Alt> or <Option> key and drag a border to split the sides in two.
Test the animation to see the effect.
You can also shape tween text. Click on the KEYFRAME marker at Frame 20, delete the circle and use the TEXT tool to enter your first name.
Press <Ctrl+B> or <Command+B> twice to break the text into letters then into a shape.
Test the animation and the irregular shape should change into your name.
