topinstructions.txt

Thank you for downloading: PixieDustArch 1.0
©2007 Dave Collins

Included are:

PixieDustArch1.0_Flash8.fla - Flash 8 development file
PixieDustArch1.0_MX2004.fla - Flash MX 2004 development file*
instructions.txt - documentation (this file)



File Description:

Sparkling "pixie dust" falls from an arched trail. This utilizes flash 8 blending modes to make "pixie dust" appear bright and "sparkly".

*designed for use with Flash 8, blending mode effects are not compatibile with previous versions, however the effect still works nicely in these older versions.

Arch shape is fully customizable by editing well-commented actionscript.


Instructions for use:

From within the .fla file's library, simply drop "PixieDust" movie clip into any frames of your flash document in which you'd like to use this effect.

The instructional text and resource "sprarkle" you see in the PixieDust movie clip will disappear when your movie plays; these guides are present only when editing your flash document. But if it makes you happy, feel free to move PixieDust movie clip outside of your stage area. As long as the movie clip resides in the current frame, the effect will be applied when the timeline reaches the current frame.


Customizing the shape of the arch:

After dropping "PixieDust" movie clip into your Flash project, double click it to edit. In the first frame's actionscript, there is a section at the top called "USER SETTINGS". The variables set in this section enable you to change the shape of the sparkles' path.

initialX and initialY are used to set the starting x and y coordinates of the arch, respectively.

xSpeed is the speed at which the sparkles travel horizontally

verticalThrust is the initial amount of upward motion applied to sparkles. This decays with time, simulating gravity.

gravity is the amount by which verticalThrust decays with each frame


Advanced Options:

1. Decreasing amount of "pixie dust":

Within the PixieDust movie clip's action layer, under "USER SETTINGS", you'll find actionscript defining a variable "r". This "r" value may be modified to change the amount of "pixie dust". The lower the number, the more "pixie dust" and the harder the effect will hit the user's CPU, but this value should not be set below "1" and must be an integer, no decimals.

2. Changing the look of the "sparkle"

Within the "resources" folder in the file's library, you will find a movie clip named "sparkle". This movie clip may be modified to change the appearence of your "pixie dust"




Have Fun and as always, feel free to contact me at dcollins@alliancecomputing.com for any questions you have about using the file.