Creating an Animated Hidden Menu System

The life force behind any interactive, complex animation is the movie clip. It's important to remember that movie clips can be nested and play their entire timeline even if the playback head isn't moving. For all you Director folks this is somewhat contrary to the methodology we're used to of looping in a frame or a series of frames while another piece of media like digital video or even a Flash animation plays its timeline. This particular example uses only one movie clip but it's fairly hefty and I was able to duplicate functionality by using multiple movie clips. However, the previous method requires a little more extensive use of Tell Target.

There are lots of hidden actions and a basic knowledge of specifying targets on different layers is recommended but not required. Before starting on your own project make sure you map out your menu. Get it clear in your head by putting it on paper first. If any of this sounds like Greek to you (or English if you are Greek), you'd better go back and read up on Tell Target, and multiple Timelines in the Flash manual. This is a long tutorial so be sure you've got enough time. I guess-timate it'll take you about an hour or so.