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rhodehamelr
rhodehamelr
Inspiring
January 11, 2023
Answered

How to? Gradient Mask in Adobe Animate

  • January 11, 2023
  • 3 replies
  • 5183 views

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

    This topic has been closed for replies.
    Correct answer kglad

    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 

     


    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

    3 replies

    N
    Nick Gioia
    Community Expert
    January 11, 2023

    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
    rhodehamelrAuthor
    Inspiring
    January 11, 2023

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

    kglad
    kglad
    Community Expert
    January 12, 2023

    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

     


    looks good.

    JoãoCésar17023019
    JoãoCésar17023019
    Community Expert
    January 11, 2023

    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
    rhodehamelrAuthor
    Inspiring
    January 11, 2023

    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!

    kglad
    kglad
    Community Expert
    January 11, 2023

    •  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
    rhodehamelrAuthor
    Inspiring
    January 11, 2023

    Yes. So then, there is no workaround?

    kglad
    kglad
    Community Expert
    January 11, 2023

    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."

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