Flash tip of the day
Out of context: Reply #30
- Started
- Last post
- 47 Responses
- fyoucher10
Re: Timeline
The timeline has it's uses. If you think using the timeline is pish, then you're really missing out on the capabilities of Flash. Flash isn't only for programming purposes. It's also a tool for animation and visual elements as well, that's why the IDE even has a timeline. If you're just making sites that mimic HTML, yeah....your tweening engines and external AS editors will work fine. But more complex things require the timeline. There's no way for a developer to visualize complex animations using only code, you really need to see it frame by frame, like an After Effects composition. Things like character animation, glass breaking, logo animations, complex screens transitions, and other things that require a true creative eye for motion. Not simple slides, color fades, and all the basic stuff that Tweener and other engines provide. So to put the timeline off to the side is a major mistake. If the project will benefit from timelined animation, then the timeline should be used.
As far as code goes, I agree that it should be in one central location or at least not scattered all over the timeline (although I'll be the first to say that I do that all the time). Whether it's in the IDE or in some external editor shouldn't make a difference. It's still compiled into SWF format.