BLANKIE TUTORIAL
FLASH TEMPLATE
Ok, everybody! In this tutorial we’ll do a step-by-step walk through showing exactly how to go about making your design and posting it on the forum. We hope that this will help make the competition even better by giving everyone, regardless of experience, the same opportunity! Ready? Let’s get started!
***NOTE*** Flash does not have a PANTONE color library, so you’ll need to import the file into Photoshop (ok choice) or Illustrator (best option/ preferred) to find the correct PMS/ PANTONE color number. If you are unable to provide the PMS/ PANTONE numbers and your design wins, our in-house team can provide them although final colors may vary.***
1) Open the file Blankie_converted.fla . You’ll need Flash 8 or higher. Once opened, you’ll see the Blankie toy design “turns” on the stage and five layers- “Inkline”, “Your Artwork”, “Character”, “Color Area” and “Do Not Delete” in the timeline area.
Inkline
This layer sits on top of your artwork while you design. This allows you to see the edges of the toy while you work. You’ll combine this layer with “your artwork” as one of the final design steps.
Your Artwork
This is the layer where you’ll create and design your artwork.
Character Layer
This is the layer that contains the Blankie character “turns”. This is a duplicate of the “Inkline” layer. You’ll only need this if you accidently delete or modify the “inkline” layer, so make sure not to lose this!
Color Area
This is where you’ll place the swatches of color that your toy will use when it gets produced. By including a sample of the color and it’s corresponding pantone number (PMS), we can be sure to reproduce your colored design accurately- regardless of the color differences seen on a computer monitor!
Do Not Delete
This layer includes the template layout. Make sure not to change or delete this layer!
2) There’s no one way to actually come up with your design artwork. Some people draw right in the computer, others print out the template, sketch out a design and scan it back in for coloring. Just do whatever feels most comfortable to you.
Create your design on the “Your Artwork” layer. This should include all artwork minus the actual background color of the figure. We’ll do that part later when we merge the “inkline“layer & “your artwork” layer together.
Go ahead and create the designs for all sides of your toy. Make sure it “turns” correctly. This means that what you design should rotate correctly as if it was actually in 3 dimensional space. This is really important! Any flaws on your design could be made into the toy, so make sure it’s exactly like you want it in real life!!!
Use the “rulers” and “guides” features to help you get the turn designs as exact as possible.
3) Once your design is complete on the “Your Artwork layer, group each turn design (modify > group) and copy it (edit > copy). Next, paste it “in place” (edit > paste in place) onto the “Inkline” layer. Save your work and then hide or delete the work on the “your artwork” layer.
You may have to arrange the layers so that the ink lines are still on top. Go ahead and do that now. Select all the toy outlines and (modify > arrange > bring to front). All the black toy outlines should be on top, your designs sitting behind them.
Hide your guides and check your work (view > guides > show guides).
Your design should now be sitting “behind” the inklines.
Next we’re ready to color the background of the figurine itself. Right now all of your design “turns” should be grouped, and they’re sitting behind all the inclines, which should also be independently grouped. Select all your designs and inclines, and break them apart (modify > break apart). You might have to do this a few times to make sure that all your grouped areas are fully ungrouped.
Any color you drop in the background of the figure should now be contained by both your design placement and the toy’s ink lines.
4) Now that you’re happy with your design, we’ll make the sample swatch colors. Go ahead and copy/ paste as many PMS color boxes as you need. The first one’s been provided for you. Once that’s done, break them apart (modify > break apart) and fill each box with a color contained in your design.
***NOTE*** Flash does not have a PANTONE color library, so you’ll need to import the file into Photoshop (ok choice) or Illustrator (best option/ preferred) to find the correct PMS/ PANTONE color number. If you are unable to provide the PMS/ PANTONE numbers and your design wins, our in-house team can provide them although final colors may vary.***
5) Make sure everything is correct, save it and add your name and email at the top of the design. Finally, export the image as a 72 dpi jpeg (file > export > export image).This is the image that will be posted to the Aarting Forum.
That’s it!!!
Guru attached the following image(s):
