How To Create Flash Animation with Multiple Layers

1.   Launch Flash and create a new Flash file (ActionScript 3.0).

2.   In Layer 1, use the Rectangle Tool to create a circle on the stage. To do this, adjust "Rectangle Corner Radius" to 50 in the Properties box at bottom of screen.

3.   You should now see a dark circle in the first frame of Layer 1. Hold down the Control button while clicking on this first frame and select "Copy Frames".

4.   Next click on any frame in that layer (ex: frame 40) and, while holding down the Control button, select "Paste Frames".

5.   Using the Selection Tool from the tool bar, click on frame 40 and move your circle to another spot on (or off) the stage.

6.   Now go back to the 1st frame, and while clicking on it, hold down the Control button and select "Create Motion Tween". You should now see a line stretching from your first frame to your last frame.

7.   Go to Control > Test Movie to watch your circle move across the stage!

8.   To get the effect you see in the two banners on this page, keep creating different layers and repeat steps 2-7. Make sure you place the circles in different spots on your stage to get the same bubble motion.

(*To make your "bubbles" change direction, place them in different spots on the stage every 10 frames or so, creating motion tweens between each set of black dots.) See image of timeline below: