creating distant explosions...need help

[salemonz]

I've been working on a space scene using some bitmap ships and other little effects zipping around, but I'm having a hell of a time figuring out how to do some good simple explosions within flash. I've seen alot of anime that can do some great explosions with just circles and fades, but I'm just plain stuck otherwise. I don't need anything spectacular, just something that will happen in the distance, like fighters buying it, or small bombs impacting larger ships. Others have reccomended gradients as the key, but I still have no idea where to start. What would really help are a couple examples to nail into my head the concepts I'll need to be working with. Thanks to anyone that might be able to help me with this.

Josh Salmons

[Josiah]

Check out how NRG does it at www.kimble.org
Go to the movie section, and watch Episode 2.
There are good examples bombs dropping that may help you out.

Hope this helps