Can't insert keyframe

[marymc]

I'm creating an animated button. I've created layers for the button itself and added a layer for the animation. For some reason, Flash will not let me insert any keyframes in the animation layer.

What am I doing wrong? (The layer is not locked)

 

[TulsaJeff]

use your mouse to highlight across the frames that are white in the animation layer... right click....select remove frames. Now select the first frame and hit F6. It should insert a keyframe. Let me know if this doesn't work.

Good luck! Ya' Gotta Love It!

 

[marymc]

Thanks, TulsaJeff, but that didn't seem to do the trick. I did the "remove frames" thing in this layer and tried to insert a keyframe, but I could insert one in any of the frames of this layer. When I try to insert a keyframe, the frame to the right of the intended frame becomes selected, but no keyframe is inserted. This is the same behavior I was experiencing before I "removed frames." Any more suggestions?

 

[TulsaJeff]

If you insert a new layer will it allow you to insert a keyframe in that? Ya' Gotta Love It!

 

[marymc]

No, it's really strange. I used two layers to create the button - one for the text and one for the background box. I converted the text and the box to symbols. Then I added a keyframe in the "over" frame for each layer.

Then I created a new layer for the animation, which I intended to trigger when the user passed the mouse over the button. So I'm trying to put a keyframe in the "over" frame of the animation layer, but I simply can't do it. In fact, I've experimented adding other layers and trying to put keyframes in them, and none of these layers will accept keyframes.

I know there must be some very simple reason why this is happening, but I sure can't figure it out.

 

[PetitPal]

Hmmm... I think I understand this: you are doing an animated button and in the 'over' state you want to add some animation frames specifically for the 'over' bit but it won't let you add more than one keyframe?

Essentially, assuming I understand your problem correctly, you can't. I pretty sure that you can't add more than one keyframe, per layer, over each of the states. If you want to add some animation on your 'over' state you need to create a new movie clip with the animation in and then put this into the 'over' state keyframe (if you see what I mean). This means that when the movie is running and you move the mouse over the button the movie clip in the over state is displayed and starts playing.

Hope this is of help!

X-)

PetitPal.

 

[TulsaJeff]

PetitPal is very correct...I missed a very crucial part of your post ...its a BUTTON!...(ok..I am beating myself in the head now)

Have to use a MC to create the animation then drag it into the over state of the button just like he said and it will work great.

lol


Ya' Gotta Love It!

 

[PetitPal]

X-)

 

[marymc]

What you're saying makes sense. However, I've looked in the book and in the help files, and I can't figure out where and how you create this animation that you later place in the "over" state. I plan to use some of the elements of the button that are already created in the animation. How does this work?

 

[TulsaJeff]

Do you know how to create a movie clip? That is what you have to do and then you would drag the movie clip from the library and onto the stage with the over frame selected.

You should read up on movie clips. A really simple one would be to create a filled circle by selecting Insert/New Symbol and then make sure "Graphic" is selected.

Once again select Insert/New Symbol and this time make sure Movie Clip is selected. Drag the filled circle from the library and onto the stage. this will automatically be placed in frame 1. select frame 10 and hit the F6 key. with frame 10 selected move the filled circle to a different place on the stage. Now, right-click anywhere between frames 1 and 10 and select "create motion tween".

You have just created a movie clip which can be dragged into the over frame of your button and everytime someone moves their mouse over the button they will see this filled circle move across the stage.

Obviously this is not the animation you want for your button but it gives you an idea of how the process works. You can now create another movie clip with the animation that you want and you will know how to insert it into a button to get the effect you want. Ya' Gotta Love It!

 

[marymc]

By George, I think I've got it! Thanks to TulsaJeff and PetitPal for great help. I've been able to put an animated movie clip in a button.

I still am perturbed by the problem of not being able to put keyframes into some layers and not into others. Oh, well, maybe the solution will smite me some day when I least expect it.

Thanks a lot.