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.