Character Tracing in Flash

Flash is a 2D animation software that can be used on different operating systems like macOS, Windows, Linux, etc. It was first launched in 1996 and the latest version is released in 2021. It is capable of different functionalities like masking, character tracing, lip-sync, motion and shape tweening, frame by frame animations, etc. The animations created in Flash are vector-based rather than pixel animations which can only be zoomed to a certain level but this is not the case with vector-based animations so they provide high-quality animations.

Character Tracing 

Character Tracing is one of the foundation features of flash. It is used in making characters that are drawn on paper or getting characters from any png or jpeg image and then tracing that to convert into vector graphics. It makes really easy for animators to convert their handmade drawings to vectors and then use them for creating animations. 

Features of Character Tracing:

• Any image or handmade drawing can be converted to vector images.
• Different parts of a character can be drawn on different layers.
• Each part can be used as a puppet to make animation.
• Tween motions are applied to character parts to give a moving effect.

Steps to Trace a Character

Step 1: Open a new project in Flash.

Step 2: Now we need a hand image of a hand-drawn character or any character made in paint or any other software, so I am choosing a character which I made in paint, so to import the image on the screen click on File and then choose import, the new list will open now choose import to stage.

Step 3: A new window will appear to choose your character and click on open.

Step 4: Image is successfully imported on the stage, now rename the layer as Image.

Step 5: Now add a new layer using Add new layer button and name this layer as Eyes.

Step 6: Lock the Image using the Lock option on the timeline. Locking features allows us to lock any image or character in the same place and no editing can be done on that.

Step 7: Now on the Eyes layer select the Oval tool and draw the circle just above the eyes and use the line tool for making eyebrows.

Step 8: Now just copy this and paste it to trace the other eye.

Step 9: Now add another layer and call it eyebrows and on this layer use a rectangle to draw eyebrows.

Step 10: Add one more layer and call it mouth, use a straight line to draw the mouth.

Step 11: On the next layer draw the nose using a line and make that curved.

Step 12: Now draw ears on the next layer and call this layer Ears.

Step 13: Now draw the head part on the next layer by using lines.

Step 14: Draw the hair on another layer.

 Now unlock the image layer and move the image to the left to see your character.

Congratulations you have successfully traced the character.