Example: Transforming an Object's Shape

This example illustrates how to use control points to transform one shape (a square) into another (a star).

1. Choose File | New and create a Paint operator called Transform with the following settings:
• Type: Paint
• Format: NTSC-D1
• Duration: 45 frames
• Background Color: white
2. Click OK.

A new branch appears.

3. Select black as the foreground color.



4. Select a medium-sized brush.



5. On the Toolbar, click the unfilled Rectangle tool and draw a square in the middle of the viewport.



6. Select the square object and click the Control Points option to turn on its control points.
7. Position the cursor over the middle of the square's top horizontal edge.

The cursor changes to the following: . This indicates that by clicking, you can add a control point to the object.

8. Add three control points across the top horizontal edge.



9. Add one control point to the middle of each vertical edge.
10. Add one control point to the middle of the bottom side.

The square should look like this:



11. Make sure the Animate button is enabled (red).
12. Move to the last frame of the animation, select the Rectangle object in the Timeline, then press the  . (period) key to extend the object's duration throughout the length of the animation.
13. Position the square's control points so that they form the shape of a star.



14. Scrub through the animation. You can see the square transform to a star.