This is an animation using file objects.Before, I introduced animations using file objects, but this time it's a "kaleidoscope".Arranging multiple repeating animations like a kaleidoscope, changing angles and flipping them,can simplify the process by using file objects.

File objects might also be convenient for things you use repeatedly, or for displaying as dummies (this might not make sense, though).

A File That Just Rotates

Let's get started right away.First, create a Perlin noise animation that rotates once in 6 seconds.

New Illustration (400 × 400px) and Grid DisplayFirst, create a "New Illustration" of 400 × 400px.The unit is (px).Display the grid.Select "Grid" from the "View" menu.Select "Grid/Ruler Settings" from the "View" menu.Check "Center" for the Grid/Ruler Origin.Set "Interval" to (100px) and "Number of divisions" to (4) for the grid settings.This grid is necessary for creating a hexagonal pattern with a height of 400px and a width of 350px.

Add a new Tonal Correction layer (Posterization).If left as is, the exported animated GIF will have a very large file size,so reduce the number of colors.Select "Posterization" from "New Tonal Correction Layer" in the "Layer" menu.Set the "Number of Tones" value to (5).A "Posterization" layer will be added to the "Layer" palette.*Snap to Grid here.Check "Snap to Grid" from the "View" menu.Add a new "Vector Layer".Draw a triangle with the "Polyline" sub tool as shown in the attached image.

This triangle has a reason; it's not an equilateral triangle.It's an isosceles triangle that might look like an equilateral triangle.The area inside this triangle is the part that will be displayed in the kaleidoscope.

Create Perlin Noise and a Timeline.Select "Layer 1" in the "Layer" palette and name the layer "Perlin Noise" (you don't have to name it).Select "Perlin Noise" from "Render" in the "Filter" menu.Set "Scale" to (50.00)"Amplitude" to (1.60)You can freely set other values while observing the canvas.Since the center of the canvas will be the center of rotation (the center of the kaleidoscope),adjust "Offset" appropriately so that the density changes.In the attachment, it's set to (-58).You'll notice that the Perlin noise isn't blurry due to "Posterization".Create a new timeline.In this state, create a "New Timeline".Press the third command icon from the left in the "Timeline" palette.Set "Frame Rate" to (12)And "Playback Time" to (6 seconds) and (1 frame).

Add keyframes to the Perlin Noise layer to make it rotate once in 6 seconds.Select the "Perlin Noise" layer in the "Layer" palette.Press the "Enable Keyframes on Layer" command icon in the "Timeline" palette.Press the "Keyframe Interpolation" command icon in the "Timeline" palette and select "Create Keyframes: Constant Speed".Press the "Add Keyframe" command icon in the "Timeline" palette.A keyframe will be added to the timeline.By setting the sub tool to "Object", the layer's state will be displayed in the "Tool Property" palette.Display "Transform".Do not change the values here.Press the "Go to End" command icon in the "Timeline" palette to display the final frame.Enter (-360) for "Rotation Angle" under "Transform" in the "Tool Property" palette.Make sure the (minus) sign is correctly entered.Confirm that a keyframe has been added to the last frame of the timeline.Then,trim the last 1 frame of the playback range.

Since the Perlin noise color is dark, I'll lighten it.It's not strictly necessary, but I wanted to brighten the Perlin noise color.I selected "Gradient Map" from "New Tonal Correction Layer" in the "Layer" palette and lightened it appropriately.The triangle layer remains, but I'll leave it as is.

Now, the "File That Just Rotates" is complete.Save it as (400x400.clip) and close it.

This is the animated GIF of (400x400.clip).

Creating Tiling Material with File Objects

Now, we will place (400x400.clip) as a file object on a new canvas.

New Illustration (700 × 600px) and New TimelineCreate a "New Illustration" of 700 × 600px.The unit is (px).Display the grid.Select "Grid" from the "View" menu.Select "Grid/Ruler Settings" from the "View" menu.Check "Center" for the Grid/Ruler Origin.Set "Interval" to (100px) and "Number of divisions" to (4) for the grid settings.Add a "New Timeline" in the "Timeline" palette.Set the "Frame Rate" to the same (12).Set "Playback Time" here to (6 seconds) + (0 frames).

Load (400x400.clip) as a file object.Select "Create File Object" from "Import" in the "File" menu.(400x400.clip) will be placed in the center of the canvas.Confirm that a layer named "400x400" exists in the "Layer" palette.Duplicate this layer to create six copies.Name each of them:"Normal Rotation", "Normal Rotation 120", "Normal Rotation -120" (In the attachment, they're named "Positive Direction", which is a bit unclear, but never mind!)"Flip", "Flip 120", "Flip -120"

Check "Snap to Grid" in the "View" menu.Set the sub tool to "Polyline Selection".Confirm that "Anti-aliasing" is turned off in the "Tool Property" palette.Select the "Normal Rotation" layer in the "Layer" palette.Draw a "Polyline Selection" along the "triangle" shape displayed on the canvas.Press the "Create Layer Mask" command icon in the "Layer" palette.A "Layer Mask" will be added to the "Normal Rotation" layer.Set the sub tool to "Object".Select the "Normal Rotation 120" layer in the "Layer" palette.Set the "Rotation Angle" to (120) in the "Tool Property" palette.The canvas layer will rotate.Set the sub tool to "Polyline Selection" and select the triangle on the canvas.Click "Create Layer Mask" in the "Layer" palette.Set the sub tool to "Object".Select the "Normal Rotation -120" layer in the "Layer" palette.Set the "Rotation Angle" to (-120) in the "Tool Property" palette.Set the sub tool to "Polyline Selection" and select the triangle on the canvas.Click "Create Layer Mask" in the "Layer" palette.

The remaining three:Set the sub tool to "Object".Select the "Flip" layer in the "Layer" palette.Press the "Flip Horizontal" icon in the "Tool Property" palette.Set the sub tool to "Polyline Selection".Draw a "Polyline Selection" along the flipped "triangle" shape displayed on the canvas.Press the "Create Layer Mask" command icon in the "Layer" palette.Set the sub tool to "Object".Select the "Flip 120" layer in the "Layer" palette.Press the "Flip Horizontal" icon in the "Tool Property" palette.Set the "Rotation Angle" to (120).The canvas layer will rotate.Set the sub tool to "Polyline Selection" and select the triangle on the canvas.Click "Create Layer Mask" in the "Layer" palette.Set the sub tool to "Object".Select the "Flip -120" layer in the "Layer" palette.Press the "Flip Horizontal" icon in the "Tool Property" palette.Set the "Rotation Angle" to (-120).Set the sub tool to "Polyline Selection" and select the triangle on the canvas.Click "Create Layer Mask" in the "Layer" palette.A hexagonal kaleidoscope pattern has been created on the canvas.

Save it as (700x600.clip).

Delete the guide "triangle".It seems that even if it's set as a draft layer, it will be exported by the file object.Open (400x400.clip).Hide the layer where the "triangle" was drawn in the "Layer" palette."Save" and close.Open (700x600.clip).If the triangle remains,select "Update All File Objects" from "File Object" in the "Layer" menu.It will be updated to the saved state of (400x400.clip).Once you confirm it has been updated on the canvas,put the "File Object Layers" in one folder in the "Layer" palette.Rename it to "Center".Close the folder as it's in the way when open.

Animated GIF up to this point

From here, we'll turn it into a CLIP file that can be tiled.It continues.

Duplicate the "Center" folder twice in the Layer palette.Name them "Right" and "Left".Set the sub tool to "Layer Move".Place each of these folders to the right and left of the "Center" folder.Duplicate the "Center" folder twice again in the Layer palette.Name them "Top Right" and "Top Left".Place each of these folders to the top left and top right of the "Center" folder.Duplicate the "Center" folder twice more in the Layer palette.Name them "Bottom Right" and "Bottom Left".Place each of these folders to the bottom left and bottom right of the "Center" folder.Resave (700x600.clip).Close it.

This is the animated GIF up to this point.The explanation might be long, but the actual work isn't that difficult.The animated tiling material is now complete.

Tiling and Transforming File Objects

Tile the file object in a New Illustration (1280 × 720px).Create a "New Illustration" of 1280 × 720px.The unit is (px).Load (700x600.clip) onto the canvas.Select "File Object" from "Import" in the "File" menu and load (700x600.clip).(700x600.clip) will be placed in the center of the canvas as a "File Object" layer.Set the sub tool to "Object".Check "Tiling" in the "Tool Property" palette.The image will spread across the entire canvas.Change "Transformation Method" to "Free Transform" in the "Tool Property" palette.Manipulate the canvas handles to give the pattern a nice sense of depth.

Then export the animation.Create a "New Timeline" in the "Timeline".Frame rate (12)Playback time (6) + (0)

Save the file as (Kaleidoscope.clip).This concludes the process.

Dazzling Kaleidoscope Animation

This is the completed animated GIF.

When using animated file objects, you can use animations up to child and grandchild levels.If you embed file objects within file objects beyond that, the animation will not be inherited.That's why the contents of (700x600.clip) became quite complex.

File objects are fun to play with!!

To be continued.