How to? Gradient Mask in Adobe Animate

[rhodehamelr]

I have a night scene where the light from a lantern reveals small parts of the environment as the lantern sways.

I was going to use a gradient oval shape for the light source. Adobe Animate mask doesn't work with gradients. This is a very easy thing to do in other animation software, but I am required to use Animate for this project.

What workaround can I use to make this happen?

Thanks

[kglad]

•  Animate ignores bitmaps, gradients, transparency, colors, and line styles in a mask layer. Any filled area is completely transparent in the mask; any non-filled area is opaque.

  but you can mask an alpha gradient (along with the stuff you want to mask) and get the same effect you're trying to achieve by using an alpha mask.

[rhodehamelr]

Yes. So then, there is no workaround?

[kglad]

yes, there's a work-around:

"but you can mask a symbol with an alpha gradient (along with the stuff you want to mask) and get the same effect you're trying to achieve by using an alpha mask."

[rhodehamelr]

Hmmm. That's interesting. I don't think I've tried that exactly. Thanks - I'll see what I come up with.

[JoãoCésar]

Hi.

If it's an AS3 document, there is a couple of workarounds:
https://community.adobe.com/t5/animate-discussions/gradient-transparency-mask/m-p/12351020

https://community.adobe.com/t5/animate-discussions/fade-away-gradient/m-p/10379851

Regards,

JC

[rhodehamelr]

I'm trying to avoid Actionscript, but I'll try this if a different workaround doesn't give the results I need. Thanks so much for the feedback!

[Nick Gioia · Accepted solution]

This tutorial may help with a better understanding of the gradient mask. The gradient mask part is towards the end. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHPtJTWUSOw

[rhodehamelr]

Thank you! I did see that tutorial already, but when I followed it, I didn't get the result I needed.

[kglad]

@rhodehamelr 

no code needed:

"but you can mask a symbol with an alpha gradient (along with the stuff you want to mask) and get the same effect you're trying to achieve by using an alpha mask."

[rhodehamelr]

👍🏻👍🏻 Definitely will try this.

[kglad]

it only takes a few seconds, i can't imagine what would require a youtube tutorial.

1. create 3 layers

2. put your mask in the top most layer

3. put your masked object in the bottom layer

4. create a layer between the two layers. make sure it's also masked.

5. create something with an alpha gradient > convert it to a symbol

6. lock all layers to see your "alpha-like mask

[rhodehamelr]

I really appreciate the additional info. I can't try it until I get off work today.

[kglad]

sounds good.  keep us updated.

[Nick Gioia]

Everyone learns and teaches differently, kglad. Tutorial videos are a great way to help.

[kglad]

i don't dispute that. i just can't see this tutorial taking more than 2 minutes.

[kglad]

ok, i just scanned that tutorial and the first two minutes of the 4 1/2 minutes are devoted to creating a mask.

[Nick Gioia]

You are correct the gradient part is at the end. I did say that when I shared the tutorial. lol " The gradient mask part is towards the end." This way there was no time wasted in the beginning. lol 

[kglad · Accepted solution]

i think i would have gotten this under 3 minutes (but not 2) if i'd not have inadvertently created a bitmap instead of a movieclip or graphic, 

Video link

https://youtu.be/Z3MbkZ0eV-0

[rhodehamelr]

Thank you - yeah, I get it. I got that technique to work just fine, but I can't seem to translate this into what I need to accomplish.
Here is a sample of what I'm trying to do. This is not my video -- it's just to share the concept of the lantern illuminating only part of the environment as it is carried by the person: https://www.filmsupply.com/clips/a-person-carrying-a-lantern-walks-into-a-dark-cave/7716

[kglad]

that's a pseudo-alpha mask.  ie, it's not an alpha mask, so you're not going to be able to use it to alpha mask the non-fixed parts of your project's environment.

if you have an a3 project, you can create a dynamic mask with alpha gradient.

[rhodehamelr]

Yeah. If I don't use AS3, then I might use this little tactic. Here is the test run. The shape of the light source needs a lot of work, etc. At least I know I can pull it off like this. https://youtu.be/e5lBPPzLgG4

[kglad]

looks good.