Tutorial: Text effects with masking
Masking allows an object to define the outline of a movie clip. This can be used to create truly hypnotic effects! This tutorial will explain how to create the Hypnotic effect with SWiSH Max4 and provides suggestions for possible modifications that will allow you to design your own effects.
The objects within the demonstration movie are shown in the Outline tree to the right.
The movie clip hypnotic contains the entire text effect.
The movie clip has the Use bottom object as mask option set in its Properties panel. This causes the bottom object, the text object Hypnotic, to define the visible area of the movie clip. Items that extend beyond the text object are not displayed.
The Shape object is an un-named rectangular shape with solid fill that defines the background color. In this example the chosen color is white (0xFFFFFF) although you could use any color. The shape object must totally obscure the text. Once drawn, use the 
The ClipClone object is a component that has been used to create the diagonal lines. To use the component, drag it from the Utility component section onto the stage, set the number of items to 1 and replace the sample item with the item you wish to replicate.
The Clip clone component, allows a single item to replicated any number of times. In this case, a 45 degree black line with thickness 3 and overall dimensions of 200 x 200. The 45 degree angle can be forced by holding the shift key down while drawing the line.
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