Breaking glass effect...

Originally Posted by rsdev

Are you looking for a dynamic effect that you can apply to loaded images at runtime?

Or a one off transition?

Originally Posted by mbatestblrock

Just a one off transition. The image that I want this effect to apply to will rarely change.

Originally Posted by rsdev

Then to get the kind of impact you're looking for I would use a package like SWIFT 3D, After Effects or 3D Studio Max. All these programmes import into flash and will create the kind of complex lighting effects you want.

Originally Posted by mbatestblrock

OH boy, I bet all of those are TUFF to learn. I have After effects and havent even BEGUN to break the surface.

Any tip on which one may have the smaller learning curve???

Originally Posted by rsdev

Here's an after effects tutorial to get you started and a plug in 3D lighting effect. I imagine you're trying to get an effect similar to Lost World were the vehicle goes over the edge and the glass is cracking?!

So before you use the shatter effect, you might want to animate some cracks in Flash and import them into AE. Then use a glow effect first on the cracks to make the light start appearing. Then when it shatters fire up your lighting effect to get the rays.

This is a complex effect and I might take a week to learn and complete. So good luck!

http://www.trapcode.com/products_lux.html

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/459423...after_effects/