Animated Algebra: Unit One
What Is Flash?
Flash is a software program published by Adobe Systems. In a former incarnation the software was published by a company called Macromedia that has since been absorbed by Adobe, so you may sometimes hear or read about "Macromedia Flash."
Flash can be used to produce animations and interactive programs for the web. Flash has been in existence for several years, and has seen much improvement. The latest versions also incorporate advanced features like streaming video, e-publishing, and real-time multi-user interactions including video chat rooms and multiplayer video games.
Examples of Flash
- Cartoon: Why Cows Have Legs
- Animated Music "Video": Stress
- Website: Chipotle
- Website: Coca-Cola
- Video Game: Bejeweled (be careful -- it's addictive!
Viewing Flash
Flash animations and programs are created in Flash, but must be viewed with the Flash Player. This is a free download, and is often bundled with popular web browsers. If you believe Adobe's statistics, 90% of the web-viewing population has some version of the Flash player installed.
How To Tell If It's Written With Flash
Right-click the animation or program. If it's created in Flash the last item on the context menu will usually read "About Macromedia Flash Player . . . ."
Versions of Flash
The most current version of Flash is Flash 8. Our labs may have the older version, Flash MX 2004. Either version is sufficient for this class.
The most recent version of the Flash Player is version 9.
How Can I Get Access to Flash?
Flash at School
Flash is available in the web design lab, T242. Open lab hours will be posted on the class website and on the classroom door after the first week of class. This is the best way to use Flash since the T242 student assistants are familiar with the program and can help you with your assignments.
We also have four copies in the Technology Lab, T225. Sometimes you have to be persistent -- the lab is sometimes staffed by people who do not know where all the software in the lab is located. If a lab assistant tells you they don't have Flash installed on the PCs please ask if they work for Office Technology. If they don't ask them to find someone who does. The Office Technology instructors are much more knowledgeable about the lab as a whole and will be happy to assist you.
Flash at Home
You may also choose to complete your lab assignments at home. The most inexpensive route is to purchase the software from the college bookstore, which can give you a HUGE student discount. (Over 50% off retail.)
Flash comes in two versions -- Flash and Flash Professional. The normal" version will be fine for this class; you do not have to shell out extra cash for the professional version.
Some students who are planning to study web design may want to invest in Studio 8. This product contains the latest version of popular web design software including Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Contribute. Another option is the Adobe Web Bundle, which contains these products plus Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat, and GoLive.
What Is ActionScript?
ActionScript is Flash's programming language. ActionScript programs can only be created in Flash and viewed using the Flash Player.
ActionScript is very similar to JavaScript, another web programming language designed for interactivity. ActionScript's syntax is also similar to that of many programming languages, including C++ and Java. Learning ActionScript first will make it easier for you to learn a "high-level language" (like C++ or Java) later in your academic or professional career.
What Will This Class Teach Me?
This class will focus on
- Flash ActionScript commands and syntax
- Programming logic and design
- Basic programming concepts
- Problem-solving techniques
This class will not spend a great deal of time on
- Flash's interface-based animation tools ("tweening" and the like)
- Flash drawing tools
- Animation "tricks of the trade"
The topics above are taught in a different class, Web Animation I. (INEW 1470).
What is a Symbol?
This could be a very long section, but we're going to just focus on the basics. You'll pick up more information on this topic as class progresses.
A symbol is a "thing" in a program or animation (a car, an alien, a vegetable) that Flash can manipulate in some manner. Flash can move it across the screen (animation) or make it interactive (like a button) using ActionScript.
There are four main symbol types in Flash -- graphic symbols, text symbols, button symbols, and movie clip symbols. This class will concentrate on movie clips, text, and button symbols because they are the two symbol types that can be manipulated through ActionScript.
Libraries, Symbols and Instances, oh my!
Symbols are kept in libraries.
Symbols are "master editions" of Flash objects. You can actually have copies of symbols on your screen. If you watch the animation Why Cows Have Legs you will quickly notice that all the cows look alike. They are actually copies of the library symbols. Such copies are known as instances.
Instances can be a little different from the parent symbol -- it's possible to individually rotate, scale, and color instances.
If you change a symbol in the library, every instance on the stage will reflect the change.
Instances helps your animation look more interesting while saving bandwidth. It's much quicker to download one symbol and scatter instances across the stage than it is to download several symbols.
Creating Symbols
Animated tutorial showing the basics of symbol creation. If part of the tutorial gets cut off, increase your screen resolution1 to at least 1024x786.
Adobe's Detailed Tutorial (Provided as a reference only -- we haven't covered all of the information in the tutorial yet, but feel free to plunge ahead!)
1 To change your screen resolution:
- Right-click the desktop and choose "Properties."
- Next pick the "Settings" tab.
- You should see a slider marked "screen resolution."
- Slide it to the right until it is equal to or greater than 1024x786.
- Click OK.
- DON'T PANIC if your screen freaks out. Wait patiently. The screen will revert to the original settings in a few seconds. Try again, choosing a different resolution.
