Level:  Beginner

Tools:  Path shapes, Type Gallery, GA5

Additional files: None

1.  Open a new white canvas, 600 wide by

 600 length. 

You'll need plenty of room for your hammer to move.  We'll downsize this later.

2.  Using the path tool, 3D round, border 15, depth 30, draw a rectangle approx.

300 wide by 160 high.  If you have a long name, you will want to resize

this to suit your needs.

.  Click on the text tool;  using Engraver's MT at size 50 (again,

resize as needed for name), type in name. 

5.Next, go to your Easy Palette into Type Gallery.  Choose Reverse Emboss, right click on the 3rd button on bottom, and then"modify and apply" There, change color to white

and softness 4 - 6; you can decide by trying out either one.

7.  On same canvass (just move your stone tablet out of the way),

using path tool set at 19 border, 30 depth,

make a 35 wide by 135 long rounded rectangle.  Fill with a

wood preset of your choice (mine has

Wood 4 from Material Gallery).

9.  Now, using path tool again, and once again rounded rectangle

this time make a shape 118 wide x 67 long.  Fill with Copper 1

preset, and in the material gallery, remove the check mark

on the bump file.  

Draw an eclipse of same preset size 26 wide by 64 long.

Change this shape border to 1.   Arrange eclispe at the left

side of the rounded rectangle, then right click both and merge as

single object.

10.  Using same preset as hammer head, make a

rectangle 18 wide by 100 long.  Go into edit mode

and click the + sign.  Add a node between the two

bottom nodes.  Click on edit, then pull the new

bottom node down so that it comes to a point. 

Out of edit more, change border to 10.

11.  Click on the chisel, then the transform tool. Using  rotate

freely, rotate your chisel so that it is at a 40 degree

angle (or experiment to your own satisfaction) just at the

very top of the last letter.  Position your hammer above

it, not touching the chisel.  This is to a check point

to indicate how high the graphic will be.  Once in place, you can crop your canvass making sure you have enough room at the right for chisel and hammer.

12.  Now, again using rotate freely, move your

chisel so that it lays lengthwise to the right of

your tablet, then move your hammer next to the

chisel. 

TEMPORARILY MOVE THE EMBOSSED

NAME TO ITS OWN CANVASS.  Now save this as "first name" on your desktop.  This will be the first frame of animation.

13.  Now, move the embossed name BACK to the tablet,

but again, no not merge as single object.  Save this frame

as "last name" on your desktop

14.    Position the  chisel at the bottom of the very last letter, then the hammer touching the top of the chisel as if it were hitting it.  At this point,

you need to determine how many frames you will need.  My name had

4 letters, and the chisel will touch each letter twice, therefore

you will need to make 2 frames per letter, including the first and

last frames (my name took 10 frames for 4 letters)  Save this frame as

the next to the last number you need (ie: "name9")

15.  Move your hammer and chisel to the TOP of the last letter,

 this time rotate the hammer (put rotate point at bottom of handle)

 just enough so that it is not touching the chisel.  Now click on the name, convert to object, and erase THE ENTIRE last letter (leave the chisel in place so that you can remember where the letter was).  Save as next descending number (ie: "name8)

16. Repeat 13-14 for each letter in name, remembering to

have hammer hitting chisel at BOTTOM of the letter,

and poising to strike at TOP of each letter.  Save in

same descending number manner as above.

17.  When your embossed name is completely gone and you

have saved the last frame with chisel and hammer at the

top of the letter, you are now ready to animate.  Make note

of your graphic's width and height.

18.  Open GIF Animator with animation wizard.  Insert your frames from your desktop.

Leave setting at 25 for now.  Click ok.   Make sure your frames are in proper sequence

(blank tablet at frame 1, full name at end of frames).  Leave all frames except last frame at 25; change last frame by right clicking frame then frame properties to 150.

by Janina

By Joy

Here are two excellent examples done by pals at the Free Spirit Graphics board!!