Learning Macromedia Flash 8

Module 1: Flash 8 Basics

Module 2: Flash 8 Extended Exercises

Module 1 Chapter Descriptions

Chapter 1: Getting Started With Flash

This chapter introduces students to the Flash interface. It includes:

• the components of the Flash screen including the workspace and the panels.

• using rulers, grids and guides.

• using simple drawings tools - rectangle, oval, line and brush.

Chapter 2: Drawing Tools

This chapter introduces the Flash Drawing Tools in more detail including:

• 

  cookie cutting.

• the Selection tool.

• the Pencil, Brush, Paint Bucket and Ink Bottle tools.

• The Eyedropper and Eraser tools.

• Object Drawing.

• the assignment involves the drawing of an alien.

Chapter 3: Symbols, Libraries and Layers

Demonstrates how to use symbols, libraries and layers which are an integral part of Flash animations. It includes:

• how to create a symbol and use it from the Library panel.

• how to create layers, change their order, lock them and turn them on or off.

• the assignment involves the creation of a simple web page using layers.

Chapter 4: Tween Animations

Demonstrates how to create simple motion tween animations. It includes:

• creating symbols.

• setting a motion tween.

• rotating objects in animations.

• scaling objects.

• adjusting the motion path.

• inserting keyframes.

• adjusting the length of animations.

• clearing keyframes.

Chapter 5: Multiple Object Animations

Demonstrates how combine more than one object in an animation. It includes:

• setting fixed objects in layers and locking them.

• inserting frames.

• setting the stage colour

• animating objects in their own layers.

• adjusting the shape of animated objects.

• students create a bouncing ball animation.

Chapter 6: ShapeTweening

Demonstrates the two other tweening types that Flash provides, Shape Tweening and Classic Tweening. It includes:

• changing a circle into a rectangle then back to a circle again by reversing frames.

• using shape hints.

• reversing animations.

• modifying the bouncing ball animation so that the ball distorts as it bounces off the fixed object, then returns to its original shape.

Chapter 7: Fixed Point Animations

Demonstrates how to make objects animate around a fixed point. It involves:

• editing symbols to set the registration (rotation) point.

• setting the rotation.

• animating the hands of a clock.

• animating more that one object.

• the assignment involves students creating a car speedometer.

Chapter 8: Motion Guide Animations

Demonstrates how to set objects to animate around an enclosed path. It includes:

• setting motion guides in motion guide layers.

• setting beetles to race around a track.

• setting beetles to race around a track.

• stopping an animation.

• adding and removing frames.

• the assignment involves students creating a solar system animation.

Chapter 9: KeyFrame Animations

Demonstrates how to set keyframe animations, which mimics how animations were created before the use of computers. It includes:

• drawing an eye, copying the eye then making one eye wink.

• keyframes are duplicated and the contents of the duplicate modified.

• the assignment involves students creating an eclipse of the sun animation.

Chapter 10: Creating Buttons

Demonstrates how to create Flash buttons. It includes:

• setting button symbols.

• setting the up, over and down states.

• setting the hit area.

• creating a navigation bar for a web site

• using Flash's prepared buttons.

Chapter 11: Publishing Animations

Demonstrates how to publish animations. It includes:

• the difference between .FLA and .SWF files.

• publish settings.

• adding Flash animations to DreamWeaver.

Project 1: iSounds

This project is only available in the multi-user versions. It involves students creating an opening page for the iSounds company which sells music over the internet. Students are required to create a web page that includes at least 2 animations and a navigation bar that has Flash buttons.

Module 2 Chapter Descriptions

Chapter 12: Creating Movie Clips

This chapter introduces:

• the creation and use of movie clip symbols.

• self-contained animations are created then placed in other animations.

• multiple instances of the movie clips are added to the animation.

Chapter 13: Text Effects

Introduces the use of more detailed text effects including:

• formatting text..

• character spacing and vertical text.

• selectable text.

• linking text.

• breaking text into layers

• using guide layers.

• animating letters of a word.

• creating text shape tweens.

Chapter 14: Text Effect Movie Clips

Demonstrates how to create text effects as movie clips and include them in animations. It includes:

• breaking text apart

• distributing letters to layers

• animating letters within the movie clip.

• using the movie clip.

• editing the movie clip.
  

Chapter 15: Adding Sounds to Animations

Demonstrates how to include and control sounds by adding an engine track to the car speedo animations created in an earlier chapter. The chapter includes:

• Adding sounds to the library.

• synchronizing sounds.

• using fade in effects.

• removing sound effects.

• editing sound effects.

• adding sounds to buttons.
  

Chapter 16: Using Masks

Demonstrates how use masks in animations. It includes:

• creating a mask layer.

• setting the mask effect.

• animating the mask to create a spotlight effect.

• creating masks as movie clips.

• animating the movie clip mask.

Chapter 17: Timeline Effects

This chapter demonstrates how to use the Timeline Effects to make animations appear more realistic. It includes:

• using drop shadows.

• transform effects.

• transition effects.

• blur effects.

• explode effects.

Chapter 18: Using Behaviours

Demonstrates how to make use behaviours to make animations interactive with the screen. A firing a gun animation that could be used in computer games is created. Click on the gun in the sample to see the effect. The chapter involves:

• setting invisible buttons.

• setting and editing behaviours.

• adding sounds to behaviour .

• adding sounds to buttons.

• deleting behaviours.

  
  

Chapter 19: Animation Still Photos

Demonstrates how to animate sections of a still photo to give the impression that they are a moving object. It includes:

• breaking a photo into pixels.

• erasing the sections to be animated.

• converting the sections to symbols.

• setting the registration point.

• animating the sections.
  

Chapter 20: Using Video Clips

This chapter demonstrates how to work with video clips in Flash. It includes:

• importing video clips.

• inserting video clips into movie clips.

• controlling the playing of video clips.

• creating a simple electronic portfolio.

Chapter 21: Using Scenes

Demonstrates how to use scenes within Flash to build an overall animation. It includes:

• adding and naming scenes.

• adding content to scenes.

• duplicating scenes

• stopping the overall animation.

Project 2: Alby's AutoBarn

This project is only available in the multi-user versions. It involves students creating 4 separate scenes for a used car dealer that could be added to a web site using the skills developed in Module 2.