Creating Nonlinear Workflow Animations

Overview

This guide explains how to create interactive animations using nonlinear workflow actions in Adobe Animate CC.

Nonlinear Workflow Actions

The system supports three primary actions:

1. GotoState - Navigates to a specified state number in the workflow (e.g., "GotoState 11" jumps to state 11)

2. Goto - Moves a relative number of states forward or backward from the current position (e.g., "Goto -3" goes back 3 states; "Goto 2" advances 2 states)

3. EndWorkflow - Terminates the workflow

Creating an Interactive .swf File

Setup Steps

1. Launch Adobe Animate CC and create a new 1080x1920 ActionScript 3.0 document
2. Use the Oval tool to draw a circular shape on the stage
3. Add text using the Text tool
4. Convert the shape to a Movie Clip by selecting it and pressing Ctrl+8, then naming your symbol
5. In the Properties panel (Ctrl+F3), set the Instance Name (e.g., "Blue_Button")

Adding Interactive Actions

1. Open the Actions window (Ctrl+F9)
2. Insert code to handle mouse events and trigger workflow actions:

import flash.events.MouseEvent;
import flash.events.StatusEvent;
 
{Insert instance name here}.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN, onBtn1Touch);
 
function onBtn1Touch( event : MouseEvent ) : void
{
var e : StatusEvent = new StatusEvent(StatusEvent.STATUS, true);
e.level = "{insert desired action here (Goto/GotoState/EndWorkflow)}";
e.code = "{insert number here}";
dispatchEvent( e );
}

Example Implementations

Example 1: Blue button navigates to state 3

• Set e.level = "GotoState"
• Set e.code = "3"

Example 2: Red button goes back 2 states

• Set e.level = "Goto"
• Set e.code = "-2"
• Create a separate function onBtn2Touch with unique event listener

Example 3: Green button ends the workflow

• Set e.level = "EndWorkflow"

Publishing

1. Select File → Publish Settings (Ctrl+Shift+F12)
2. Publish your .swf file
3. When loading in your workflow, set the "Next State Trigger" to "Event"