How to Make a Simple Animation in Adobe Flash

Last Updated: December 30, 2021

Animations are fun to watch; they're enjoyable and humorous, but have you ever considered making one yourself? Making animations are just as fun as watching them, but they can be difficult, too. In this guide, you'll learn how to make a simple and good animation with Adobe Flash!

Support for Adobe Flash Player ends in December 2020. After that time, it will no longer be possible to use Flash Player to export Flash content. Use Ruffle for emulation instead (ruffle.rs).

Steps

1
Open Macromedia Flash 10
2
Choose frame 1 on the timeline which is located above the canvas.
3
Draw whatever you want to in your first frame (eg: a stick figure).
4
Choose the next frame depending upon the length of your animation. The larger the difference between the frames, the longer the animation.
5
Right click on the frame and click "Insert KEYFrame".
6
Right click anywhere between the first and the last frame and select "Create Motion Tween". Now the same picture you drew in the first frame will appear in the last frame you made.
7
Edit this picture in any way. You can change its size, position or other effects such as alpha, tint, etc. They appear when you right click on the object and click "Properties".
8
Press Ctrl+↵ Enter to view the animation.
9
Play around and experiment. There is a lot more to flash animation than just this.

Community Q&A

Question

How do I create a project?

Community Answer

When you open the software you will see 3 columns: one for opening already-made projects, and the next for making new ones. Click on "Flash Document" and your new project is started.
Question

How do I test out an animation I am making in Flash?

Community Answer

In the tabs at the the top, you choose "Control" and then "Test Movie." You can also press Ctrl + Enter.
Question

How do you save an animation?

Community Answer

To save an animation, click in File and then select Save.
Question

Do I have to download something to do animation?

Community Answer

Yes, you have to download the macromedia flash software. You can find it on Google.

Things You'll Need

Macromedia Flash MX or similar version of Macromedia Flash.
You can go to the Adobe website and download a one month version of Flash CS3 if you want to give Flash a try.