Flash: Overview

Macromedia Flash MX

Instructor: Adam Cavotta

What is Flash?

Flash is graphics application Animation application Video application Application development tool

Flash Media and the Flash Authoring Environment

The word Flash is used to describe:– Media Output that the user sees– Authoring Environment used to create content

Streaming Media Output

Flash movies can be viewed while they as they are being downloaded.– Accommodates 56 Kbps modem connections

fairly well– In some case, preloaders are still used.

Graphics in Flash

Flash supports Vector and Raster (Bitmap) graphics– Bitmaps are made to be displayed at fixed sizes

Bitmap graphics are the graphic we see most often on the Web

– Vector graphics are size independent Changes to the size and shape of a vector graphic do

not affect image quality which makes them ideal for animations.

Flash Authors

Who are they?– Graphic designers– Programmers– Web developers

Basic Author Roles

There are two roles for Flash authors– Designer– Developer

Basic Author Roles: Designer

Designer– Typically, all Flash authors are designers to a

certain extent.– Designers create and arrange graphical content

and create animations.– Designers are artists

Basic Author Roles: Developers

Developers– Developers make Flash movies “do something”– Developers create interactive environments using

ActionScript.– Developers are programmers

The importance of roles

The type of content created determines which role the author will play.

Learning opportunities and certifications are often categorized as being related to developer or designer roles.

Before learning Flash determine your ultimate goal– What type of content do you want to create?

Types of content

Animated Movies Audio and Video Web page elements Applications

Advantages of Flash

File size is relatively small for type of output. Flash player is widely available. Authors create content for a player, not a

browser.

Limitations of Flash

Some users are resistant to Flash content Various player version sometimes add

confusion about publishing and viewing files Training is required to begin creating content

in Flash

Learning Opportunities

ITS Training Services Free Technology Seminars

Extended Format Seminars offered through HRDC

Penn State’s Web-Based Training The Macromedia Web site

ITS Training Services Free Seminars

Register Online– https://register4its.psu.edu/

Intermediate level seminars that focus on specific tasks

Animations– Content focuses on the designer role.

Interactivity– Provides an introduction to the developer role.

Extended Format Seminars

Fee: $85 Register Online

– http://www.ohr.psu.edu/hrdc/catalog/HRDC_Catalog.cfm \

Basic and Intermediate level seminars Seminars focus primarily on designer role Additional information about seminar content:

http://its.psu.edu/training/extended/

Penn State’s Web-Based Training

Free service Self paced Assessments Topics mostly relate to designer role Go to: https://wbt.psu.edu/ to begin using

Web-Based Training

Macromedia Web Site

A GREAT source of information Provides content for both designer and

developer roles Provides support information Forums are a great learning opportunity The Macromedia Web site provides learning

opportunities throughout the learners development process.

The Software

Latest Release: Flash MX 2004 Two version in the new release

– Professional version- targeted to developers, more robust

– Standard version- less data connection and application development features

The software is also available in the Studio MX Suite

The Software

Available at Penn State’s computer store– http://computerstore.psu.edu/– If you aren’t sure which software package to

purchase, ask them. They are an impartial, objective source of information.

– Discounts are substantial.

Thank you

Questions?