Chapter One
Flash Fundamentals
The Flash authoring program is the perfect tool for both new and experienced Web page designers who want to create expressive, dynamic Web page elements. In this chapter, you learn all the basics for starting Flash files and finding your way around the program window.
Introduction to Flash 4 Navigate the Flash Window 6 Understanding the Flash Timeline 7 Open a Flash File 8 Save and Close a Flash File 10 Change the Document Size 12 Using the Property Inspector Panel 14 Work with Panels 16 Zoom Out or In 18 Using Rulers and Grids 20 Find Help with Flash 22 Open a Flash Template 24
Introduction to Flash
Adobe Flash is the program of choice for multimedia authoring projects. You can use Flash to create animations, Web page components, games, applications, and mobile phone content. Using the Flash Player plug-in, just about every Web browser available today supports Flash-based content. In the strictest sense, Flash is an integrated development environment, while the Flash Player is a virtual machine for running Flash files.
Create Animation Content
Flash includes a variety of tools you can use to draw your own graphic objects to use in your projects. Flash-created vector graphics are much smaller in file size than raster graphics, such as JPEGs and GIFs. Vector graphics display much faster on a downloading Web page and are a more efficient method of delivering images over the Internet. To learn more about creating objects, see Chapters 2 and 3. To learn how to import artwork, see Chapter 4. See Chapter 5 to learn about adding text.
Work with Symbols
After creating new objects or importing artwork from other sources, you can turn objects into symbols to reuse in your Flash movie. Every time you use a symbol, you use an instance of the original object. If you make changes to the original, the instance changes as well. Flash keeps track of your symbols in the file''s Library. To learn more about using symbols and instances, see Chapter 7.
Build Animation Sequences
You can use the Flash animation tools to create all kinds of animation effects, from making an object move across the screen to complex animations that follow paths and action commands. You can create animations using frames. A frame stores content, and the total number of frames determines the length of your movie. For more on creating animations, see Chapters 8 and 9. To learn how to add sound to your animations, see Chapter 13.
Organize with Layers
You can use layers in your Flash movies to organize content and add depth to your animations. Each layer acts like a transparent sheet, allowing you to view underlying layers. You can manage layers in the Flash Timeline window. To learn more about working with layers and the Flash Timeline, see Chapter 6
Add Interactive Elements
You can also use the Flash tools to create interactive elements in your movie and assign actions. For example, you can add a button that, when clicked, activates another movie. A programming language called ActionScript controls interactivity in Flash. You do not need to know how to write ActionScript to add interactivity; Flash includes numerous prewritten scripts that you can apply. To learn more about adding buttons, see Chapter 11. To learn about adding actions, see Chapter 12.
Publish Your Movies
There are a variety of ways you can share your animations with others. Flash includes options for publishing movies to Web pages, as Flash movie files, or as self-extracting animations. The program also includes features to help you preview a movie before publishing, test download performance, and more. To learn more about publishing your Flash projects, see Chapter 15.
Navigate the Flash Window
The Flash program window has several components for working with graphics and movies. Take time to familiarize yourself with the on-screen elements. If you use Flash on a Macintosh computer, the program elements may look a bit different than those displayed in the following Windows example.
TITLE BAR
Displays the name of the open file.
MENU BAR
Displays Flash menus which, when clicked, reveal commands.
FILE TAB
The tab at the top of the work area represents the current file. If two or more files are open, you can switch from file to file by clicking a tab.
TIMELINE
Contains all the frames, layers, and scenes that make up a movie.
TOOLS PANEL
Contains the basic tools needed to create and work with vector graphics.
CURRENT SCENE
Displays the name of the scene on which you are currently working.
STAGE OR MOVIE AREA
The area where a movie or graphic displays, where you can view a frame''s contents and draw graphic objects. This area is also called the Flash Editor.
WORK AREA
The area surrounding the Stage. Anything placed on the work area does not appear in the movie.
PROPERTY INSPECTOR
Use this panel to view and edit properties of the current object.
PANELS
Allow quick access to options for controlling and editing Flash movies.
Understanding the Flash Timeline
The Flash Timeline contains the frames, layers, and scenes that make up a movie. You can use the Timeline to organize and control your movies. By default, the Timeline appears docked near the top of the program window. If you are new to Flash, take a moment and familiarize yourself with the Timeline elements.
See Chapters 8, 9, and 10 for more on working with the Flash Timeline.
LAYERS
Use layers to organize artwork, animation, sound, and interactive elements. Layers enable you to keep pieces of artwork separate and combine them to form a cohesive image, such as a company logo that includes a layer of text and another layer with a graphic shape.
FRAMES
Lengths of time in a Flash movie are divided into frames. They enable you to control what appears in animation sequences and which sounds play.
FRAME NUMBERS
Frames appear in chronological order in the Timeline, and each frame has a number.
PLAYHEAD
Also called the Current Frame Indicator, the playhead marks the current frame displayed on the Stage.
PANEL MENU
Displays a drop-down menu of customizing options for controlling how frames are displayed in the Timeline.
TIMELINE BUTTONS
Scattered around the Timeline are buttons for controlling frames, layers, and movies.
LAYER BUTTONS
Click to add and delete layers.
LAYER CONTROLS
Display the status of a layer, such as hidden, locked, or outlined.
Open a Flash File
Flash files are called documents or movies. When you save a file, you can open it and work on it again. You can make Flash files as simple as a drawing you create using the Flash drawing tools, or as complex as an animation sequence consisting of scenes and interactive elements.
You can also start a new Flash file at any time, even if you are currently working on another file. Every new file you start uses a default Stage size. If the file windows are maximized, each open file appears as a tab at the top of the Timeline.
OPEN A FLASH FILE
1 Click File.
2 Click Open.
If the Main toolbar is displayed, you can click the Open button ([??]) to display the Open dialog box.
You can also press [Ctrl] + [0] ([x] + [0]) to open the Open dialog box.
* You can open a recent file by clicking here and clicking the file name.
Note: When you first open Flash, you can use the Welcome screen to open existing files or create new files. Click Open to display the Open dialog box.
The Open dialog box appears.
3 Click [??] to navigate to the folder or drive containing the file you want to open.
4 Click the file name.
You can change the file types listed by clicking here and choosing a file type.
5 Click Open.
The file opens in the Flash window.
OPEN A NEW FLASH FILE
1 Click File.
2 Click New.
If the Main toolbar is displayed, you can click the New button ([??]) to display the New Document dialog box.
You can also press [Ctrl] + [N] ([x] + [N]) to open the New Document dialog box.
Note: When you first open Flash, you can use the Welcome screen to open existing files or create new files. From the Create New column, click the type of file you want to create.
The New Document dialog box appears.
3 Click the type of document you want to create.
A description of each type appears here.
4 Click OK.
A blank document appears in the Flash window.
You can have several Flash files open and switch between them using the tabs at the top of the Timeline.
Note: You can also use the Window menu to switch between open files.
TIPS
Why does Flash not show a Main toolbar by default?
The Main toolbar includes access to common commands, such as Open and Save. For example, to open a file, click the Open button ([??]). By default, Flash does not display the Main toolbar, but you can turn it on if you want. Click Windows, Toolbars, and then Main.
Is there a limit to how many Flash files I can have open?
No. However, the more files you open, the slower your computer runs. Graphics files, such as those that you author in Flash, can take up more processing power than other programs. Unless you are sharing data between the files, it is a good idea to close Flash files you are no longer using.
Save and Close a Flash File
As you create movies in Flash, you need to save them to work on them again. By default, Flash saves all files in the FLA format. Because Flash does not offer an automatic save feature, it is a good practice to save your work frequently.
You can close Flash files no longer in use to free up computer memory. Be sure to save your changes before closing a file.
Saving graphics to the Flash Library works a bit differently than saving a file. See Chapter 7 for more information about saving symbols.
Save and Close a Flash File
SAVE A FILE
1 Click File.
2 Click Save.
If the Main toolbar is displayed, you can click the Save button ([??]) to display the Save As dialog box.
You can also press Ctrl + [S] ([x] + [S]) to open the Save As dialog box.
The Save As dialog box appears.
Note: If you have previously saved a file, Flash saves the changes without displaying the Save As dialog box.
3 Type a unique name for the file.
To save to another folder or drive, click [??] and select another location.
To save the file as another file type, click [??] and click a file type.
4 Click Save.
Flash saves your file.
CLOSE A FLASH FILE
1 Save your file.
Note: See the previous steps to learn how to save a Flash file.
2 Click File.
3 Click Close.
Flash closes the file you are working on, but the program window remains open.
Note: If you have not saved your changes, Flash prompts you to do so before closing a file.
USE THE CLOSE BUTTON
1 Save your file.
2 Click the Close button ([x]).
Note: Clicking the program window''s [x] button closes the Flash application entirely and might result in lost data.
Note: If you have not saved your changes, Flash prompts you to do so before closing a file.
TIPS
How do I save a previously saved file under a new name?
You can copy a previously saved file and save it under a new file name. You can then make changes to the file copy without worrying about changing the original file. To do so, click File, then click Save As. In the Save As dialog box that appears, type a new name for the file and click Save.
Can I save a Flash file in another format?
Yes; however, you cannot use the Save command unless you want to save the file in an older Flash program version. Instead, you must export the movie to another file format. See Chapter 13 to learn how.
Change the Document Size
The document you create in Flash appears on the Stage, which is the on-screen area where you can view the contents of a frame and draw graphic objects. You can control the size and appearance of the document you create on the Stage. The size of the document determines the size of your Flash movie screen.
Change the Document Size
1 Click Modify.
2 Click Document.
You can also click on the Size button in the Property inspector to display the Document Properties dialog box.
The Document Properties dialog box appears.
3 To change the stage''s dimensions in pixels, type new dimensions in the width and height boxes.
Note: You can also use the Document Properties dialog box to set a frame rate for your movie. See Chapter 8 to learn more about frame rates.
* You can select Printer ([??] changes to [??]) if you want to match the Stage dimensions to the maximum available print area size for your printer.
* You can select Contents ([??] changes to [??]) to change the Stage dimensions to match the contents of your movie, with equal spacing all around.
* You can select Default ([??] changes to [??]) to return the Stage size to the default size.
4 Click OK.
* Flash resizes the Stage area according to your new settings.
TIPS
How do I specify different units of measurement for the Stage?
From the Document Properties dialog box, click the Ruler units [??] and then click the unit of measurement you want to apply. The unit of measurement immediately changes in the width and height text boxes and you can now set the appropriate measurements.
How do I set a new background color?
By default, Flash sets the Stage background color to white. To set another background color, click the Background Color button ([??]) in the Document Properties dialog box. A palette of color choices appears. Click the color you want to apply and the color becomes the new background color throughout your movie.
Using the Property Inspector
You can use the Property inspector to see and edit the properties of the object with which you are currently working. The Property inspector changes to reflect the properties associated with the object you select on the Stage. By default, the Property inspector appears open when you first open a Flash file.
The Property inspector acts as a panel that you can collapse, hide from view, or move. By default, Flash docks the Property inspector at the bottom of the program window. You can collapse or close the Property inspector when you do not need it to free up workspace.
Using the Property Inspector
COLLAPSE AND EXPAND THE PROPERTY INSPECTOR
1 Click the panel''s title bar or name to collapse or minimize the panel.
You can also click the Minimize button ([??]) to collapse the panel ([??] becomes [??]).
Note: This example shows the text properties listed in the Property inspector panel.
The Property inspector panel collapses.
2 To expand the panel again, click the panel''s title bar.
You can also click the Maximize button ([??]).
(Continues...)
Excerpted from Teach Yourself VISUALLY Flash CS3 Professionalby Sherry Kinkoph Gunter Copyright © 2007 by Sherry Kinkoph Gunter. Excerpted by permission.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.
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