Tip #11, Object Opacity vs. Object Layer OpacityTry to avoid varying object *layer* opacity over time and instead vary object opacity. Object layer opacity controls how each layer of a multi-layer object blends with other layers, whereas object opacity (native to Flash) applies to an entire object. LM has to generate new artwork when you vary object layer opacity; when you change object opacity, however, it's handled natively in the Flash player. Some confusion comes from the fact that on a single-layer object, the two settings appear to have the same effect. Some designers vary object layer opacity to make artwork appear and disappear in various custom states (useful when creating remote rollovers, for example). It would be more efficient to group the artwork and create the custom states at the group level; that way you could vary the object opacity of the grouped artwork, and LM would export just a single copy. Or, in the same scenario, you could skip the grouping and just turn off all object layers in rollover states where you want the artwork hidden. When all layers are hidden, LM will export just a blank placeholder. |
||||
The SWF at left is comprised of 1 object with 3 layers. Two of the 3 layers have opacity animated over time. The SWF is 91.8 kb. |
||||
Here I recreated the composition, this time using 3 objects with 1 layer each. Two of the objects have opacity animated over time. The SWF is 11.9 kb. |
||||
[Index] [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14]