How To Create a Motion Guided Path in Adobe Flash CS4

Through Adobe Flash CS4, you can animate images to make your presentation or your website more dynamic and appealing. One of the classic ways of animation is to direct images or text to move along a specific path – this is what motion guided path is all about. Though it will take a little bit of trial-and-error on your part to create this type of project, especially if you’re relatively new to applications such as Flash, you will find that this is actually easier and more straightforward than it sounds at the onset. Here are some of the basic guidelines to remember in order to create a motion guided path in Adobe Flash CS4:

* Select the symbol that you want to work with. You may want to start with a simple exercise so you can get the hang of things. Select one symbol from your library, or create a new object at the Flash stage or the blank screen in the middle. You will find that it will come with a layer in the timeline area of your screen. This layer is where the actions of the symbol will be specified.
* Work with the guide layer. To start directing the motion path of the symbol you want to work with, right-click on the layer assigned to your symbol and select “add motion guide”. You will find a new layer on top of your symbol’s layer: this layer is called the guide layer. Essentially, the guide layer will mark the start and end of the path that the symbol will move in. Working within this layer and with a line tool or pencil tool, draw the specific motion path that you want your symbol to take. For example, will you want your symbol to go up and down? Draw a horizontal line along the path that you want your symbol to move. Do this on the Flash stage. Click on a frame at the guide layer (say, frame 40) and then hit the shortcut key F5 to insert a frame. Remember that where you place the key frame will determine the speed at which the symbol will move: too close to the beginning frame and it will be very fast: too far away and the symbol will move slowly.
* Work with the symbol’s assigned layer. Create a “motion tween” by simply selecting the symbol’s layer and place its registration point to one end of the guided layer’s path. At the symbol’s layer, go to the same frame number where you inserted the guide layer’s frame. Press F6 to insert a key frame. Right-click on the symbol’s layer, and then select “motion tween” from the menu.
* Save your work. Press Ctrl and Enter so you could view your animation.


Expect to do a little bit of trial and error while you’re undertaking this project. See how inserting the frame at the guide layer will make a difference on the symbol’s motion. You could also try creating a motion guided path for texts. The possibilities are endless, and once you’ve gotten the hang of it you will certainly create a new dimension of interest and appeal to your presentations.