Course Description

In this course, you'll be introduced to more powerful features of Flash. This intermediate course will take you beyond the basics, exploring Flash further in depth. The course focuses on creating dynamic web sites using Interactivity and basic ActionScripting. At the completion of this course you will have learned all the necessary tools and features to create low-bandwidth animations, presentations, and vector-based Web sites. We begin this class where we left off in the Intro class. We delve into more complex animation which consists of mask and motion guides. You will be introduced to more symbols....animated graphic symbols and movie clips and adding and customizing sound. We discuss more complex interactivity between scenes and movie clips using Go To and With actions with frame numbers and frame labels. We wind the class up with creating a drop down menu and basic preloaders. Click here to view a very clever Flash movie created by Alan Becker. Click here to see sample assignment movies LVS Online Classes Flash Blog: http://www.lvsonline.com/online-flash-classes This is a self-study course. Access to all lessons will be provided as soon as the registration is processed. LVS is a Corel Training Partner. LVS students may purchase Corel products at a significant savings. Follow this link for details. LVS students are also eligible take advantage of special offers made available by famous software developers such as Andromeda, AV Bros, Extensis, Harry Heim, namesuppressed, Nik Multimedia, and Ulead. Details are provided in the classinfo link found in the confirmation of registration. If you would like to receive more information regarding this course, click on the "Contact Us" link in the Information section and we'll try to answer any of your questions within the day.

Course Requirements

Flash MX2004, Flash 8, or Flash CS3 Software. You may download a trial version of Flash, but be aware that it is only good for 30 days. Up-to-date browser such as Internet Explorer, Netscape, Opera, Firefox or Safari. Flash will work on both the Macintosh and Windows platforms. Lessons are written in PC format, but are compatible for Macintosh users. You must know how your operating system works as instructors use PC. Homework must be reviewed by the instructor in order to earn a certificate. Students have the option of using the Student Upload Area or free web hosting made available for LVS students. Details are provided in the classroom. If you prefer to use your own web space, you must know how to upload your files to a server. Free tutorials are available: Basic HTML page WS_FTP SmartFTP If using your own web space, your web host must be configured (MIME-Type) to handle Shockwave Flash files (.swf) and native Flash files (.fla). Details are provided in the classroom. Students should have working knowledge of their operating system: Free Windows Class Here Directory Structure Tutorial Here Zip files may be necessary to complete the exercises provided each week. WinZip, PKZip, Windows Compression or similar program is required to unzip these files. Winzip Tutorial Here Windows Compression All lessons are available in PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view/print the lessons. Plan to devote 4 - 6 hours per week on the lesson and assignment.

Course Prerequisites

Class Level - Intermediate Flash MX2004/ 8/ CS3 Intro Basic knowledge of HTML is required. If you are not familiar with HTML, consider taking the Build Your Website Intro class.

Course Syllabus

Lesson 1 Masks and Reverse Frames Motion Guides Bitmaps Lesson 2 Motion Guides Labels and Comments goto Action Scenes Lesson 3 Animated Graphic Symbols Movie Clip Symbols Lesson 4 Sound: Customizing Sound Importing Sounds Inserting Sound in Frames with Action Lesson 5 Interactivity stopAllSounds Action Basic Prelaoder Lesson 6 Drop Down Menu More Basic Preloaders

Course Excerpt

LESSON 1 Layer Masks Use objects on one layer as a mask for objects on other layers. The Mask layer hides and reveals portions of linked layers beneath it. The layers that are linked to the Mask layer are called Masked layers. Think of the Mask layer as a window....whatever is below the mask is what is visible. Here is the sample movie we will be creating in this lesson. If you missed the animation, just right click on the movie and choose Play. To create a Mask layer: Create a new layer directly above the layer you want to mask (if you haven't already got the layer you want to mask ready, just create a new layer) and name it mask Go Modify > Timeline > Layer Properties. In the dialog box choose Type > Mask and click OK Take a look at the layer. Notice the Mask Layer icon The mask icon that appears to the left of the layer named mask. To create Masked layers linked to the Mask layer: Create or select the layer you want to be masked. Make sure it is below the Mask layer. Drag it to where it should be if necessary. Note: If you drag a layer name to the Mask layer, and see the icon shown below after dropping it, you will not need to follow the next step because dropping a layer directly onto a Mask layer causes it to be automatically Masked. :) Go Modify > Timeline > Layer Properties. In the dialog box choose Type > Masked and click OK . Now take a look at the layers. Notice the Masked Layer icon Masked layer icon that appears to the left of the layer named text. Repeat the above for more layers if desired. Mask layers can have many linked or "masked" layers as you'd like. TIP: Existing layers can be quickly linked to a Mask layer by dragging them directly below the Mask layer. When you see the masked layer is indented and has the masked layer icon Masked layer icon, you'll know that that layer will be masked. Create a Mask Animation Create a new Flash file, give it a name and save it. Create a new layer and name it text. Place some text on this layer. Use a fairly large size. Convert to a Graphic symbol. Create a new layer above the masked layer and name it mask Link the Mask layer to the Masked layer by following the instructions in the previous exercise. Continued... Please note: Lessons provide step-by-step instructions with detailed screen captures.

Course Goals

We begin this class where we left off in the Intro class. We delve into more complex animation which consists of mask and motion guides. You will be introduced to more symbols....animated graphic symbols and movie clips and adding and customizing sound. We discuss more complex interactivity between scenes and movie clips using Go To and With actions with frame numbers and frame labels. We wind the class up with creating a drop down menu and basic preloaders.

Course Reviews

Amanda Hayler: “I really enjoyed this class. The lessons were very well planned and structured, with plenty of examples to work through. The feedback from the tutors was quick and constructive. ” More...

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