Overview of: Introduction to Macromedia Flash

After completing this module you will be able to:

1. Learn a new software tool through the use of an interactive tutorial.
   1. You will be able to apply Flash techniques to create vector graphics.
   2. You will be able to create a simple Flash animation.

To complete this module successfully, you must complete the following learning activities.

• What is Flash???: Flash is another authoring system produced by the multimedia vendor Macromedia. It was created to provide a smaller shockwave animation file for use on the Web. Here is a sample game written in Flash.

• Print: You may print this page so that you are able to work off-line.

• Read: One of the key skills in the multimedia field is to learn a new tool quickly. New versions of familiar tools are released often. New vendors create new tools. You will always be learning new tools.

  Each new version of a program and release of a new tool has a tutorial section included. That is just expected by the software users community. Walking through the tutorial provides the opportunity to get the look and feel of the package, to understand the philosophy of the tool designers, and to learn the keystrokes and methods for accomplishing tasks in the tool. By the very nature of the tutorial process, it is important that you be actively involved. Perform all indicated exercises.

  Now that you are familiar with what an authoring system should do for you through your use of Director, you can learn much about Flash by comparing new knowledge with prior learning. Take advantage of your knowledge of Director by continually asking yourself these 5 questions while engaging in the tutorial:

  • What is going on here?
  • Why is the tutorial asking me to perform this task?
  • How is this the same as what I already know?
  • How is it different?
  • How can I put these new items to use?

  To access the Flash tutorial,

  • Launch Flash
  • Under the Help menu, select Lessons
  • Complete Lessons 01 to 08 and "For Director." Skip the "What's New" lesson because all of it will be new to us.
  
  

• Complete Flash Activity 1: As per usual, we are going to create a Hello World multimedia project, this time using Flash. The detailed instructions for this activity are in the Flash Activity 1.