Flash MX 2004

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Flash MX 2004

• Week 1

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Flash Defined

• Flash is a vector-based multimedia tool
• Flash helps create interactive animations that
  are particularly well-suited for the web.
  
• Created by Macromedia

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History

• Inventor Jonathan Gay
• It all started with Lego
• Games Space Invaders Dark Castle
• 1996 FutureSplash Animator sold to Macromedia
  which became Flash 1.0
  
• Flash is used on lego website
• http//www.lego.com/eng/

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Pros Cons of Flash

• Advantages of using Flash
• Quick download times possible with vector based
  technology
  
• On-board sound capabilities as well as
  compression for quick download
  
• Potentially positive, even exciting experience
  for most audiences
  

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Pros Cons of Flash Cont.

• DISADVANTAGES
• Not as effective for publishing a large
  collection of text-based documents
  
• Not effective for catalogues that include a large
  inventory
  
• Not effective if target audience is decidedly low
  tech
  

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Reasons for Using Flash and Different Flash File
Types and their Purposes
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Why Use Flash?

• Complex Animation (improved scripting)
• Interactivity (buttons, free form interfaces, can
  create more complex presentations than standard
  HTML)
  
• Sound/Visual Control (Accurate control over
  position, color, fonts,etc.)
  
• Download Speed ( Flash content often smaller than
  HTML due to its own compression)

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Flash Types Associated with Flash

• Project Files untitled.fla
• Can be reopened edited anytime
• Movie Files untitled.swf (Small Web File)
• Movie format, generally not editable
• Projector Files -Projector.exe (Windows)
• -Projector
  (Mac)
  
• Stand-Alone projector file than can play on any
  computer.
  

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4 Basic Projects Created in Flash
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• 1. Animations/Short Movie

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2. Presentation

• Sample Resume
• http//www.myimpactengine.com/personal/view/show.a
  sp?vid070320011250421875991
  
• Event Promotion
• http//www.myimpactengine.com/personal/view/show.a
  sp?vid011220011550062009432
  

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3. Complete Interface

• Sample(Successful navigation design, visual
  meaning, between the user content)
  
• http//www.impactengine.com/examples.asp

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4. E-Commerce storefronts

• Samples (shopping carts, electronic business)
• http//www.impactengine.com/examples.asp
• http//www.myimpactengine.com/personal/view/show.a
  sp?vid101820011918074677371
  

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Projects

• You will do two projects in the 1st part (264A)
  of the class, you can choose any of the 4
  (Guidelines will be provided)
  
• 1st Project Midterm
• 2nd Project Final

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The 6 Elements of Multimedia
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Graphics

• Graphics form of photos or designs.
• Imported from the Internet, digital camera,
  scanner, etc.

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1. Bitmap Graphics

• GIFs or JPEGs
• Built pixel by pixel color by color.
• If image size increases, size file and download
  time increases.
  
• If enlarged, often appears distorted

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2. Vector Graphics

• Flash is vector based.
• Uses mathematical formulas to describe images.
• Will be the same file size regardless of its
  physical dimensions.
  
• You can display large vector images animations
  without increasing the file size.
  

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3. Text

• The most fundamental element of any multimedia
  project.
  
• Applications such as Photoshop can be used to add
  visual effects to text to create more appealing
  presentation.

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4. Sound

• Can be added to a multimedia presentation from a
  variety of sources.
  
• Can import from SmartSound, MovieWorks, QuickTime
  Pro, audio CD, Internet, etc.

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5. Music

• Can import from internet, audio CD, etc.
• Acid style base is an example of composing your
  own mixes.
  

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6.Video

• Can be incorporated as QuickTime movies.