March, 2007
In this tutorial we'll cover how to create the shape of a butterfly using a solid and the Pen tool, and to give it motion. Tutorial Includes project files.
Start by creating a solid which is located under Layer>New.
Select the Pen tool.
Let's choose Show Rulers.
And show the grid.
Draw the shape of a wing.
Duplicate the layer and choose Orientation, then drag the wing so that it is an opposite of the current one using the grid as a guideline for accuracy.
Use the Elliptical Mask Tool to create the center of the body on a new layer.
For the animation, we'll use Scale. In the first position the wings are in the open position which means all we have to do is click the animate button and move to frame one. Drag the outside of the wing in for both sides. When you have completed these two steps, select both of the keyframes and copy and paste several times with the beginning frame copied to the end keyframe. For the first and every other keyframe we want to use Keyframe Assistant which is accessed by right-clicking on the layer and choosing Easy Ease Out. For the second and every other keyframe we want to designate Easy Ease In.
At this point we can select all of the layers and choose Pre-compose.
Then select Move all attributes into the new composition.
Now we have one animated layer.
Now there are a number of things you can do with the butterfly. In this instance I applied the Indigestion effect. Then duplicated the butterfly and scaled them, and changed the color in Indigestion. I also changed the Mode for the two smaller butterflies.
Download the original source files from this tutorial in Zip format Here
Copyright © 2007 Jacquelin Vanderwood