Getting to Know Flash…Adobe CS4 That is…

Goals• Discover the purpose of Flash, who uses it and why

• Explore some of Flash’s tools and features

• Create an animated business card

• Get excited about Flash

What is Flash CS4?Flash CS4 (Creative Suite 4) is a powerful multimedia

creation tool

What can Flash do?Can Create a Variety of Content:

Simple GraphicsAnimations

SoundExternal Graphics

VideoInteractivity

The Flash Phenomenon-Who Is Using It?

• Flash is a digital content authoring program for online designers, developers, animators, illustrators, programmers, educators, and off-the-shelf enthusiasts

• Flash is an output content in a compressed format for online viewing via the Flash Player

• Flash had its beginnings as Macromedia Flash in 1996 and is now a prevalent online content creation program

How do you know you are working with Flash?

Flash CS4-The Flash Interface

Flash CS4 Interface Features• Stage-Where you draw and manipulate artwork• Timeline-Allows you to organize your Flash content into

layers in frames. Frames show what your content looks like over time. It lets you create animations

• Panels-Docked on right by default, shows information about what you select, allows you to change design characteristics, such as:

• Properties/Property Inspector-Change design characteristics, shows information you have selected.

• Library-Contains assets you will use in your flash movie, contains video, sounds, bitmap graphics, etc

• Tools-Has tools that allow you to select, create and modify artwork.

Flash Workflow

-Content you create in flash-sound, graphics, video, etc.

-2 Files are created by Flash (FLA/SWF), Flash movie is embedded in HTML file

-Use FTP client (Filezilla) or other software (Dreamweaver) to upload Flash files to the server

-3 Basic Steps

Flash CS4-Understanding Core Flash File Types

FLA File-Main Flash Working File, Where You Create All Your Artwork and Animation

SWF File-Flash Movie, Output File From FLA file (Cartoon, Rich Internet Application, etc. It’s

what you view when you see Flash content on the web)

FLV and FL4 File-Video Files for the Flash Player, Actual Movie Files

AS File-Action Script File, Contains Interactive Code to Control Flash Application

Flash CS4-Creating and Saving Flash Files-Welcome Screen

Saving File in Flash CS4Step 1

Step 2

Saving File in Flash CS4

Once .FLA file is created, an accompanying .SW is created with it.

Flash CS4-Customizing Workspace-Maximizes Effectiveness when working with Flash (6 Options)

Flash CS4-Customizing Keyboard Command-Another Way to Maximize Effectiveness when working with Flash

Flash CS4-Customizing Keyboard Command-Another Way to Maximize Effectiveness when working with Flash

Flash CS4-Customizing Keyboard Command-Another Way to Maximize Effectiveness when working with Flash

Flash CS4-Customizing Keyboard Command-Another Way to Maximize Effectiveness when working with Flash

Flash CS4-Customizing Keyboard Command-Another Way to Maximize Effectiveness when working with Flash

Flash CS4-Customizing Keyboard Command-Another Way to Maximize Effectiveness when working with Flash

Flash CS4-Customizing Keyboard Command-Another Way to Maximize Effectiveness when working with Flash

Flash CS4 Keyboard Shortcuts-Read ‘Em, Live ‘Em, Learn ‘Em

PC Flash CS4 Keyboard Shortcuts

OS Mac Flash CS4 Keyboard Shortcuts

Flash CS4-Adjust Document Properties

Flash CS4-Vector Graphics Vs. Bitmap Graphics

Bitmap Graphics are made of pixelsVector Graphics are made of points, lines and

and mathEach Has Its Uses:

Bitmap are great for photo editing (better photo effects)

Vector Art is great for Illustrations (smoother lines and use of shapes)

Flash CS4-Vector Graphics Vs. Bitmap (Rastar) Graphics

Lesson: An Animated Business CardLet’s explore some of the main features of Flash.