Get a picture of yourself or an image you want to draw...

Save it as a .jpg somewhere you can find it.

Open Flash and hit (F11) to open the Library.

Step #2: Import the Picture into Flash ~

Go to: File > Import > Import to Stage and import the picture you saved.

Then, drag the picture from the library onto the stage.

Maybe it's too big? Use the Free Transform Tool to shrink it down to size:

 

 

 

Your Flash picture MUST be within the white "Stage" area or it can not be seen when you play your video.

Step #3: Convert to Symbol ~

Make sure the image on the stage is selected.

Hit (F8) and select Graphic.

Convert the image to a Graphic Symbol.

Then, open the Properties panel by hitting Ctrl+F3, or go to: Window > Properties

Where it says "Color: None" go to: Alpha.

Lower the Alpha using the slider.

Step #4: Add a New Layer & Lock the Old One ~

Create a new layer above the picture and call it "Outline:"

 

 

Note: Be sure to label your layers!

Name the lower layer Background and LOCK the Layer!

Hit the Lock icon to keep from accidentally drawing on the wrong layer.

Lock the Background Layer!

Then, select the Brush Tool [or just hit the letter (B).]

Lower the Brush size:

Start small =>

Now begin to trace around the outline of your figure.

WARNING: Make sure you are drawing on the Outline Layer!

The Lower layer SHOULD always BE LOCKED!

Step #5: SMOOTHING ~

After you trace your first line, look in the Properties window. [If you don't see Properties, again hit Ctrl+F3 or go to: Window > Properties.]

Change the color to Black and raise the smoothing level.

Note: The higher the smoothing number, the smoother your lines will be, the lower, the rougher.

Periodically, switch off the visibility for the "background" layer to see how your outline is looking.

Note: Click the dot right below the eyeball to turn off visibility on that layer.

Step #6: The Details ~

At this point you might want to adjust some of the lines.

To reshape your lines: Use the Selection Tool.

Just click and drag the edges of the lines.

Don't forget to fill in the eyes, eye brows; etc.

It’s a common trick in cartoon artwork to use thicker lines for the outsides of shapes and thinner lines for the inner details.

For thinner lines like eyes, nose, mouth, whiskers, etc., use the
Pen or Pencil Tools.

Take advantage of the various lines available for the these tools in the Properties menu to make your work unique.

Note: You can adjust the size here, too...

Also, Check out the Custom Stroke Style. Lots of good stuff.

Sometimes it helps to use the Zoom tool or hit Ctrl +(plus)to see the details.

Ctrl +(plus)zooms in.


Ctrl - (minus) zooms back out!

Turn off the visibility for the "background" layer to see how your outline is looking.

Note: Click the dot right below the eyeball to turn off visibility on that layer.

SAVE YOUR WORK FREQUENTLY!

Attach the .fla file and go to: Flash Tutorial 2 of 5 - Coloring in Flash: Using Paint Bucket & Gradients