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Crystal Wipe
   
"Crystal wipe" is an interesting one. It's designed to look like a glass prism is moving across the surface of the frame, changing the image as it goes. The transition takes a while (2 seconds) and there is some moderate facial distortion to deal with but it's cheap, small and it DOES look cool.
Name: 
Crystal Wipe
Price: 
$2:50 per image and $10 for handling (eg $35:00 for a 10 image swf)
No. of images: 
2-12 (more images negotiable)
Available sizes: 
120 x 120 pixels & 100 x 100 pixels (alternate sizes negotiable)
File size (for 120x120): 
Approximately 27k for 3 images and 9k for every extra image (eg 90k for 10)
Image dimensions: 
(for 120x120 swf) 130 x 120 pixels,   (for 100x100 swf) 110 x 100 pixels.  See "Size Options" below for alignment
Transition duration: 
Transition from one image to the next is 24 frames at 12 frames per second, or 2 seconds
Pros: 
Low file size, low per-image cost
Cons: 
Moderate facial distortion during transition

Step 2: Select a size

Size options
Crystal pic size 120

130 x 120 pixel images for 120 x 120 pixel SWFs

The images for "Crystal Wipe", have to be 10 pixels wider than the final SWF (5 pixels on each side). Feel free to copy these reference GIFs as a template.
The GIF on the left (130 x 120 pixels) represents the image area necessary for a 120 X 120 pixel SWF. The grey areas on the right and left are only visible during the transistions so make sure everything you want clearly seen is contained in the white area.

Crystal pic size 120

110 x 100 pixel images for 100 x 100 pixel SWFs

The GIF on the left (110 x 100 pixels) represents the image area necessary for a 100 X 100 pixel SWF. Once again, keep everything you want clearly seen in the white area.

Step 3: Specify the length
Specifying the length and timing of your animation
Image 1
Transition Image 1-2
Image 2
Transition Image 2-3
Image 3
Transition Image 3-1
Pic 1 Transition 1-2 Pic 2 Transition 2-3 Pic 3
 Transition 3-1  

All the animations on this site play at 12 frames per second (different frame rates can be negotiated). When calculating the time or number of frames each image is visible between transitions it is necessary to take into account:

  • How many images you want to include (All the preformatted animations can include up to 12 images. Provision for larger numbers can be negotiated)
  • How long you want each image to remain visible (This may be longer for a sample of text than for a photo)
  • How long you want the total length of the animation to be (Remember to take into account the time each transition will add. For "Crystal Wipe" the transitions are 24 frames or 2 seconds long)
  • Whether or not the animation will loop continuously or remain on the last image (A looping animation requires an extra transition from the last image back to the first)

A clear, unambiguous specification for a looping animation would read like this.

TYPE: Crystal Wipe
FRAME RATE: 12 frames per second
SIZE: 100 x 100 pixels
Image 1 (ceo.jpg) =36 frames
Transition 1-2 =24 frames
Image 2 (product.jpg) =48 frames
Transition 2-3 =24 frames
Image 3 (graph.gif) = 12 frames
Transition 3-1 =24 frames
Loop continuously
TOTAL = 168 frames or 14 seconds per loop

The same animation playing once and remaining on Image 3 would read like this.

TYPE: Crystal Wipe
FRAME RATE: 12 frames per second
SIZE: 100 x 100 pixels
Image 1 (ceo.jpg) =36 frames
Transition 1-2 =24 frames
Image 2 (product.jpg) =48 frames
Transition 2-3 =24 frames
Image 3 (graph.gif) remains at the end of Transition 2-3
TOTAL = 132 frames or 11 seconds from Image 1 to Image 3

Remember, if you want it right FIRST time, be specific.
Step 4: Go through the checklist click here for the Checklist page