Read this tutorial and see how to create advanced lightning animation using special flash 8 effects with no Action Script. You will also learn how to design "lightning line" using a Pencil Tool, how to convert it into a Movie Clip Symbol, how to animate it and more.



Step 1

Create a new flash document and set Frame rate to 28 fps (Frames per Second).

Step 2

Open any Picture on which you want to apply the animation (you can also download my picture).



Step 3

Select that picture and press F8 on the keyboard (Convert to Symbol) and convert it into a Movie Clip.



Step 4

Double click on a new made Movie Clip (picture) or choose right click and Edit in Place.



Step 5

While your picture is still selected, press again F8 key (Convert to Symbol) to convert it again into a Movie Clip.

Step 6

Press seven times F6 key (Keyframe).



Step 7

Click on every second frame (starting from first frame), select the picture and open the Properties Panel (Ctrl+F3). In Properties Panel select Filters, click on plus icon and choose Adjust Color. Then set the options from the picture below.





Step 8

Click on frame 60 and press F5 on the keyboard.

Step 9

Go back on the main secene (Scene1), insert a new layer and name it lighting.





Step 10

Lock layer 1, select the lighting layer, take the Pencil Tool (Y), under Stroke color choose white color, under Fill Color choose white color too, but set its Alpha to 50%. Under Options choose Ink, open the Properties Panel (Ctrl+F3), under Stroke Height choose 3px and under Stroke Style choose Solid. See the pictures below.







Step 11

Then, draw the "line" which will represent your lighting. See the picture below.



Step 12

While your line is still selected press F8 on the keyboard (Convert to Symbol), and convert it into a Movie Clip.



Step 13

Double click on a new made Movie Clip (line), or choose right click and Edit in Place.

Step 14

Click on frame 2 and press F6 (Keyframe). After that press delete key, to delete the first "line", take the Pencil Tool (Y), and draw again the "line" but this "line" must be a little different by comparison with first "line". See the picture below, and everything will be clear.





Step 15

Repeat this process seven times (Step 14).



Step 16

Then, click on frame 8 and press F7 on the keyboard (Blank keyframe). After that click on frame 60 and press F5 key.



Step 17

Go back on the main scene (Scene 1), select the "lighting" (line), open the Properties Panel (Ctrl+F3) and choose Filters. Then click on plus icon and choose Glow.



Step 18

Then, set the options from the picture below.



Test your Movie (Ctrl+Enter).

We're done!

Download source file (.fla)

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