animated mask

[2theWire]

Re: MC with animated mask not function when I put it on scene and test scene. Works when I preview in Library.

Ref: http://kram01.tripod.ca (may require patience)

On "main menu" (page2): I have an animated text mask at top, centre of page. It is a simple movie clip that I dropped onto main scene. It works just fine.

On "intro scene" (page1) (page which allows access to "main menu" and to "view video"), I also have an MC created exactly as I created the MC on page2. The only difference is that the masking objects in this animation were bitmaps converted to MC's (not text masks like in the first example). The animation is supposed to appear in the big graphic (my MC) on the right.

Any suggestion welcome as to why it is not working. I swear I created it exactly as the one that works properly. It is not hidden by any layers. I don't know what else to check. What am I missing?

Hope to be able to return favour one day when I am a Flash grown-up.
Thank you.

[playfight]

Flash is very peculiar with trying to use masks.
I have done a variety of things with this, including coming up with 'psuedo' tweens with masks (a tween in its normal way does not work).
What i usually do is have it as you originall draw it out. this might mean
Mask Layer: typed text
>> Masked Layer: blue dots in a grid.

Then I go through this proceedure to make sure that my mask will still work - I LOCK EACH LAYER (the little lock icon near the names of each layer) this will show how the mask will look. If it does not work, or I need an extra level of complexity (such as, an input box on the Mask Layer, or a Movie Clip on the Mask Layer, or any other crazy thing you might need), I very proceeduraly, make a change (perhaps covert the text to MC) and then I turn the locks back on. It is an easy way for a quick check of the mask, without testing scene over and over. It also allows you to start simple, make a change, check to see if it still works and continue.

If you already have a degree of complexity added, and it is not working. I would try converting your elements to different states and test it using this locking proceedure. Retype the text on the main time. Break the text apart into vectors. Change the behavior from a Movie Clip to a Graphic. You will find that suddenly the mask works with one of these tries.

I know there are Flash Rules about using masks, that you can easily look up, but I have also found to have bent the rules in the past by experimenting and testing.

good luck

[2theWire]

Playfight,
Thank you for advice and for letting me know the potential problems associated with masks. I am familiar with the lock/unlock function, and I will keep trying as you suggest by changing the states, redrawing, re-tweening, etc. Will post note here if I discover a fix. Rushing for a school deadline right now.
2theWire