decorative element animation

I have redrawn the element in flash and then done an erase keyframe method. I could not do a build keyframe because of some of the curves. If I didn't draw the whole curve in one stroke then it would land up looking choppy.

Liza:

That is awesome. And beautiful. But perhaps you have noticed one major problem. That is a very long animation to watch each time the site loads.

Now I'm thinking that this animation should only be an "Easter egg" to show off you animation skill here (as a side note of your project) something that you can only stumble upon or know that it's hidden in there. I think it may have been my suggestion to try this as an opening animation, too. And it's so well executed!

Thinking about the site, it would make more sense, if the animation reflected the learning aspect of this project web-site.

so "A" for effort but probably best as an "easter egg" treat and not an opening animation. remember the animation will reload each time the visitor comes to your site.

I know once I was done I worried it felt too long too. I thought maybe I could somehow force it to go faster (if there is any) while loading and its loading changes as per the amount / percent that is loaded. I like your idea of keeping it as something that is hidden or just as a show thing.

Liza:

part of a preloader is a good idea. using a different logic to play the movie frames rather than fill a container (progress bar)

the frame rate could change for that movie clip I suppose to speed it up, but that may end up looking odd and too fast. ActionScript 3.0 allows you to change the frame rate dynamically using the Stage.frameRate property. this would allow you to change it for this animation then return it to the normal rate (24fps? in your case) at the end of the loading or animation