Adobe Flash CS4/CS5:
Mastering the Essentials

We provide you with the right training solutions to help you learn Adobe Flash CS4/CS5 for creating rich content and applications. Check our schedule for class dates and prices for Flash CS4/CS5 training in Dallas, Texas or call us for private training at your site.

Adobe Flash CS4/CS5: Level 1 Essentials provides students with no prior Flash experience the knowledge and hands-on practice they need to create rich media containing animation, sound, and video. This course is for people new to Flash that want to use it to build rich media applications that effectively use animation, sound, and video.

Topics covered in this three-day class are:

Animation Basics

  • Using the Flash Workspace
  • Understanding the Document Library
  • Using Symbols and Instances
  • Understanding Main Stage vs. Symbol Workspace
  • Using 2 Basic Rules of Flash
  • Working with Timeline Layers
  • Using the New Object animation model
  • Animating with Motion Tweening
  • Inserting Automatic Keyframes
  • Differentiating Object Keyframes / Property Keyframes
  • Modifying Tween Spans

Motion Paths

  • Transforming Motion Paths
  • Creating Custom Motion Paths
  • Orient to Path as Keyframes Sequences
  • Trading Tween Targets on Animations

Inverse Kinematics

  • Using the Bone Tool
  • Creating & Removing Poses
  • Constraining Rotation
  • Enabling XY Translation Constraints
  • Enabling Speed Constraints

Content & Drawing Tools Overview

  • Explaining Various Selection methods & tools
  • Comparing Detailed drawing vs. Natural drawing tools
  • Exploring Merge, Object, and Primitive Drawing Modes
  • Customizing Ink Bottle and Strokes
  • Using the Spray Brush Tool
  • Using the Deco Tool

Flash Color Controls

  • Working with Color / Gradients / Transparency
  • Using the Gradient Transform Tool
  • Introducing Kuler Online and the Kuler panel
  • Working with Swatches & Palettes
  • Understanding Locked Fills
  • Using Bitmap Fills

Shape Tweening/Morphing

  • Tweening Basic Shapes
  • Applying Shape Hints
  • Morphing Complex Shapes
  • Animating Gradients with Shape Tweens

ActionScript

  • ActionScript 3 introduced – player compatibility
  • Frame Scripts vs. Object Scripts
  • Writing Custom Functions
  • Working with Listeners
  • Using the Actions Panel
  • Writing both Frame and Object scripts

MovieClips Explained

  • Compare Graphic animation to MC animation
  • Changing instance behavior vs symbol behavior
  • Working with MovieClips

Buttons Symbols

  • Defining Button States
  • Explaining Default hit
  • Creating Buttons
  • Embedding Button Sounds
  • Using Text as Buttons

Controlling the Timeline with ActionScript 3

  • Working with Frame Labels
  • Importing Illustrator files
  • Additional ActionScript practice

Importing Photoshop & Illustrator Files

  • Photoshop Considerations & Setup for Flash
  • Importing Options for Animation
  • Animating PSD Layers
  • Illustrator Setup and Symbol Creation

Masking in Flash

  • Masking to reveal animations
  • Animating Masks as Symbols
  • Masks in MovieClips

Publishing Flash Content

  • Understanding Formats
  • Detecting the Flash Player
  • Using Projectors

Flash Video

  • Understanding Streaming vs Progressive Delivery
  • Importing and Video Formats
  • Using Adobe Media Encoder CS4/CS5
  • Using the FLVPlayback Component
  • Adjusting Component Parameters