Flash is a very popular authoring software for creating interactive animation for the web - from simple animated logos to full scale Flash web sites. This 6 week Level I course focuses on learning the interface, tools, and basic features of Flash. You will create animated logos, buttons, and simple movies to brighten up your web site.

Learning Objectives: Anyone can make a Flash movie, but is it optimized for the net? This Intro class will take you step by step in doing it the "right" way from the bottom up. We begin by introducing you to the interface and tools, then discuss grouping, creating graphic symbols, using multiple layers and keyframes. Then we move into the fun stuff.... animation, which consists of frame by frame, motion tween, and shape tween. We wind the class up with learning how to create a button symbol with getURL action, inserting javascript in buttons, and Publishing the movie.

To see sample assignment movies and a course outline click here

Prerequisites: It is necessary to have a good understanding of how computers and the internet work. Students have the option of using the Student Upload Area 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:
WS_FTP: http://www.lvsonline.com/tut-ftp-tut/index.shtml
SmartFTP : http://www.lvsonline.com/tut-smartftp/index.shtml

Your storage space with your web host must be configured (MIME-Type) to handle Shockwave Flash files (.swf) and native Flash files (.fla). If you are unsure, check with your web host provider. If you don't have web space to store your files on, you can get free space at LVS Online or you can utilize the SUA. Details are provided in the classroom.

Basic knowledge of HTML is particularly helpful when we get into the Publish feature. A basic tutorial can be found here. The instructor will lightly cover how to tweak HTML code for certain effects in the final lesson.

Requirements: Zip files with examples and files necessary to complete the assignments are provided each week. WinZip, PKZip or similar program is required to unzip these files. A Winzip tutorial can be found here.

Internet Explorer must be used to download all FLA files (Flash's native format). Other browsers do not save this type of file properly.

Flash will work on both the Macintosh and Windows platforms.

All lessons are available in both HTML and a printer-friendly PDF format. Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view/print the PDF versions of the lessons.

Plan to devote approximately 4 - 6 hrs per week on the lessons and assignment.