Learning FLASH 5

1
Learning FLASH 5

• 10 - 2003
• N. Gattuso

2
FLASH 5 Introduction

• Flash is a tool for creating interactive and
  animated Web sites.
• Two types of web designers those who use Flash
  and those who do not!
• Many TV cartoons are Flash driven...
• Most Gaming software also created with Flash

3
Flash Intro Continued...

• The Bottom Line Tremendous Market (Job) Demand
  for Flash Web Designers!!!

4
What is Flash?

• A multimedia graphics program specially for use
  on the Web
• enables you to create interactive movies on the
  Web
• uses vector graphics, which means that the
  graphics can be scaled to any size without losing
  clarity/quality

5
What is Flash (cont)?

• Does not require programming skills and is easy
  to learn

6
Flash vs Animated Images/JS Applets

• Loads much faster than animated images
• allows interactivity, animated images do not
• does not require prog. Skills java applets do.

7
Who can view Flash?

• What percentage of Web browsers have Macromedia
  Flash preinstalled? Results show that 96.4 of
  web users have Flash already installed -- as of
  09/2000...

8
Using Flash 5 _at_ PPBHS

• Flash Code FLW500-03143-77238-80660
• May need to use Flash Code every time you invoke
  Flash Session -- also may need to click Register
  Later property - depends how we get set up..

9
Flash File Formats

• Flash Files saved as .FLA files (unpublished
  files)
• Published Flash Movies exported as .SWF Files and
  played with Flash Plug-in via your browser

10
The Flash Interface

• Interface very busy, so many features almost
  overwhelming --- WE WILL GO VERY SLOW..
• Editor Workspace - area to draw objects etc.
  similar to FireWorks (blank canvas)
• Timeline - where you coordinate the timing of
  your animations, an it is also where you control
  the layers that make up your animations

11
Flash Timeline continued...

• Timeline enables you to control a movies content
  over time you can have objects appear,
  disappear, move, and change over time. ---
  Timeline window - like all windows in Flash (
  FireWorks) can be moved/docked to/at a different
  position. -- can also be hidden..

12
Symbols

• Are stored in a lib and can be re-used, sounds,
  buttons, etc.. Under Insert Menu (instances of)

13
Libs

• Window menu - Common Lib or your private Libs,
  etc can drag sounds etc on to Frames...

14
Importing Files

• Can Import all types of files into Flash, Sounds
  (WAV Files, etc..) SWF, GIF, PNG, etc. -- under
  File Menu.

15
Modify Options

• Modify - Transform Rotate, Scale, etc...

16
Text Fields

• Text Field -- Input text mode -- interactive -
  enter information - -under Text Options..

17
Locking Layers

• Modify - Arrange - Lock

18
Testing FLA Files

• Control - Test Movie
• Windows - Toolbar - Controller

19
Frames - Timeline

• 12 fps
• slow down - add blank frames
• keyframes (circles) - normal frames

20
Layers

• Ordering
• Naming
• Use of

21
Publishing FLA Files - HTML

• File Publish Preview HTML