Lesson 1 - Flash CS4 Jumpstart
The first step in getting a new Flash project up-and-running is to figure out the dimensions and frame rate of your project, and create a new file accordingly.
Exercise 1A: Instructions to students:
Your client, ZooTube video, needs a banner created for display on a portal web site. Based on their specs, you need to set up a new file to begin the project.The catch, is that the client wants a file that will work in Flash Players as old as Version 8.
- From the File menu or Welcome Screen, create a new Flash File (ActionScript 2.0).
ActionScript 2.0 is used in this case because of the reverse compatibility with older versions of the Flash Player.
- Using the Modify menu, set the stage dimensions to 720x90 (standard Universal ad banner size), and the background color to black (#000000).
- Save the file as 720x90ZooTubeBanner.fla
Be sure to save this file into a new folder with the name ZooTubeBanners.
Exercise 1B: Experimenting with the Flash tools
The goal of this exercise is for students to get practice with the Selection and Subselection tools in order to practice selecting and modifying fills and path shapes.
Click Here to download the file you need:
- Use this file: lesson1_ball
for this assignment.
- Instructions to Students:
Using your Selection tool, click and select the fill of the provided shape. Locate the Fill color swatch on either the Property inspector or the Tools panel. Click and change the color by selecting a new swatch from the Swatches panel that appears.
- Use the Subselection tool and click once on the outline of your shape.You should see the paths and points appear that make up the outline. Click any point to make it active, and drag it to change the shape.Try this with a few different points.
- Select the entire shape and choose the Free Transform tool from the Tools panel. Use the bounding box and handles that appear to change the size and rotation of your shape.
FYI - Students with Photoshop or Illustrator experience will find that this tool works the same way.
- When you are done save the file with your name.
=> example: lesson1_ball_mario_tejada.fla