2. Chapter Lessons Understand the Macromedia Flash workspace
OVERVIEW
Chapter Lessons
Understand the Macromedia Flash workspace
Open a document and play a movie
Create and save a movie
Work with the timeline
Plan a Web site
Distribute a Macromedia Flash movie
Getting Started with Flash 8

3. Using Flash 8 What is Flash 8?
INTRODUCTION
Using Flash 8
What is Flash 8?
An animation and interactive authoring program
Has tools for complex animation, as well as excellent drawing tools
Getting Started with Flash 8

4. Using Flash 8 What can Flash 8 be used for? Web sites
INTRODUCTION
Using Flash 8
What can Flash 8 be used for?
Web sites
Web-based applications
CD-Rom and interactive applications
Video
Getting Started with Flash 8

5. Optimized for the Web Flash uses vector images
INTRODUCTION
Optimized for the Web
Flash uses vector images
Vectors are scalable
Reduces the size of graphic files
Flash provides for streaming content over the Internet
Does not need to wait for entire contents of Web page to load to start playing
Getting Started with Flash 8

6. Understanding the Flash Environment
LESSON 1
Understanding the Flash Environment
You can customize your workspace
Flash works on a movie metaphor
Create scenes on a stage
Scenes run in frames on a timeline
Create a movie by arranging objects on the stage
Play the movie on the stage using VCR-like controls
Getting Started with Flash 8

7. Understanding the Flash Environment
LESSON 1
Understanding the Flash Environment
Three parts to the development environment
Stage
Timeline
Workspace
Other parts of the program
The toolbox
The properties panel
Getting Started with Flash 8

8. LESSON 1
Getting Started with Flash 8

9. LESSON 1
The Stage
Contains all objects that are seen by the viewer in the final movie
You can draw objects on, or import objects to the stage
Getting Started with Flash 8

10. LESSON 1
The Timeline
Used to organize and control the movie’s content by specifying when each object appears on the stage
Contains images within frames
Units of the timeline
Has separate layers
Has a playback head
Getting Started with Flash 8

11. LESSON 1
The Tools Panel
Contains a set of tools used to draw and edit graphics and text
Divided into four sections: Tools, View, Colors, Options
Panels, i.e., Properties panel
Used to organize and modify objects and features in a movie
Getting Started with Flash 8

12. Open a Document and Play a Movie
LESSON 2
Open a Document and Play a Movie
The .fla extension is native, and can only be opened in Flash
Flash exports Web-ready files as .swf
.swf files should be tested before being published
Always keep the original .fla file for modifications
Getting Started with Flash 8

13. LESSON 2
Previewing a Movie
Flash movies can be previewed in the development environment
Use control menu commands
Play, rewind, step forward, step backward
Use the Controller
Toolbar command on the Window menu
Getting Started with Flash 8

14. Keyboard Shortcuts Play: [Enter] (Win) and [Return] (Mac)
LESSON 2
Keyboard Shortcuts
Play: [Enter] (Win) and [Return] (Mac)
Rewind: ([Ctrl] [Alt] [R] (Win)) and ([Option] [R] (Mac))
Step Forward (.) moves the play head forward progressively
Step Backward (,) moves the play head backward progressively
Getting Started with Flash 8

15. LESSON 2
Testing a Movie
When previewing a movie, some interactive functions do not work unless the movie is played using the Flash Player
Use Control > Test Movie to test using the Flash player
Getting Started with Flash 8

16. LESSON 3
Create and Save a Movie
Movies are created by placing objects on the stage, editing these objects, animating them and adding interactivity
You can create graphics in Flash,or import them from another program such as Photoshop
Getting Started with Flash 8

17. Creating an Animation A basic animation requires two keyframes
LESSON 3
Creating an Animation
A basic animation requires two keyframes
The first keyframe sets the starting position
The second keyframe sets the ending position
The number of frames between two keyframes determines the length of the animation
Getting Started with Flash 8

18. FIGURE 9 Oval object in Frame 1
LESSON 3
An Object in a Keyframe
Object on the stage is in Frame 1 on the timeline
FIGURE 9 Oval object in Frame 1
Getting Started with Flash 8

19. FIGURE 10 Motion animation
LESSON 3
Motion Animation
Arrow indicates motion animation
FIGURE Motion animation
Getting Started with Flash 8

20. Adding an Effect to an Object
LESSON 3
Adding an Effect to an Object
In addition to animating an object’s location, you can also animate an object’s appearance
Shape
Color
Brightness
Transparency
Rotation
Getting Started with Flash 8

21. Determine and modify what is happening in a movie frame by frame
LESSON 4
Work with the Timeline
Determine and modify what is happening in a movie frame by frame
Which objects are animated
What types of animation to use
Which objects will appear on top of others
How fast movie will play
Getting Started with Flash 8

22. FIGURE 15 Elements of the Timeline
LESSON 4
Work with the Timeline
Playhead
Frames
Frame View Icon
Status Bar
Layers
FIGURE Elements of the Timeline
Getting Started with Flash 8

23. LESSON 4
Using Layers
Layers: like transparent acetate sheets of content stacked on top of one another
Adding a layer causes it to be placed on top of the other layers
Can be re-ordered by dragging up or down
Getting Started with Flash 8

24. Using Frames The timeline is made up of individual units called frames
LESSON 4
Using Frames
The timeline is made up of individual units called frames
Content is displayed in frames as the playhead moves over them when the movie plays
The status bar indicates current frame the playhead is on
Getting Started with Flash 8

25. Using the Playhead The playhead indicates which frame is playing
LESSON 4
Using the Playhead
The playhead indicates which frame is playing
Can be dragged left or right
Dragging back and forth allows you to check some animations in Flash without exporting to .swf
Getting Started with Flash 8

26. LESSON 4
Understanding Scenes
A section of the timeline designated for a specific part of the movie
Create a number of scenes to organize movie
Give scenes descriptive names for faster editing
Manage your flash movie production
Getting Started with Flash 8

27. Working with the Timeline
LESSON 4
Working with the Timeline
By studying a timeline you can determine
If different objects are on different layers
If there is motion in any of the layers by looking for the motion arrow
The length of the animation
The frame rate
Where the animation is in its sequence
Getting Started with Flash 8

28. Plan a Web Site Step 1: State the purpose of your site
LESSON 5
Plan a Web Site
Step 1: State the purpose of your site
What do we want to accomplish?
Step 2: Identify the target audience
Who will use this Web site?
Getting Started with Flash 8

29. Plan a Web Site Step 3: Determining the Treatment
LESSON 5
Plan a Web Site
Step 3: Determining the Treatment
What is the look and feel?
Tone
Approach
Emphasis
Getting Started with Flash 8

30. Plan a Web Site Step 4: Develop the Specifications Playback System
LESSON 5
Plan a Web Site
Step 4: Develop the Specifications
Playback System
Elements to Include
Functionality
User Interface
Getting Started with Flash 8

31. Using Screen Design Guidelines
LESSON 5
Using Screen Design Guidelines
FIGURE Sample Storyboard
Getting Started with Flash 8

32. Using Screen Design Guidelines
LESSON 5
Using Screen Design Guidelines
Balance
Unity
Movement
Getting Started with Flash 8

33. Using Interactive Design Guidelines
LESSON 5
Using Interactive Design Guidelines
Make it simple, easy to understand
Build in consistency in the navigation scheme
Provide feedback
Give the user control
Getting Started with Flash 8

34. Distributing a Macromedia Flash Movie
LESSON 6
Distributing a Macromedia Flash Movie
Export out of Flash as:
.html (The HTML document)
.swf (The Macromedia Flash Player file)
Getting Started with Flash 8

35. FIGURE 24 Sample HTML code
LESSON 6
.swf extension indicates a Macromedia Flash Player file
Code specifying the Macromedia Flash Player Movie that the browser will play
FIGURE Sample HTML code
Getting Started with Flash 8

36. Other Publishing Options
LESSON 6
Other Publishing Options
Stand-alone Projector Files
Quicktime .mov files
Getting Started with Flash 8

37. Chapter 1 Tasks Understand the Macromedia Flash environment
SUMMARY
Chapter 1 Tasks
Understand the Macromedia Flash environment
Open a document and play a movie
Create and save a movie
Work with layers and the timeline
Plan a Web site
Distribute a Macromedia Flash movie
Getting Started with Flash 8