Explanation of Major Features of Flash CS3 - Succeed in Flash Development. Also refer to vectors, animations, interaction, buttons, ActionScript, programming, database, graphics, images, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Major Features of Flash CS3
by Ron Kurtus (revised 20 May 2008)
The most recent version of Adobe Flash is CS3. It is a major upgrade from the previous Macromedia Flash versions. It includes basic drawing tools, ActiveScript programming language, timeline and layers. The latest version includes capabilities to include video,sound, complex programmed effects and database interactivity. The present version of Flash is .
Questions you may include:
- How is the drawing used?
- What type of animations can you do?
- What interactions are possible?
This lesson will answer those question. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Drawing tools
You can create simple graphics and illustrations using Flash's drawing tools. The Flash saves those graphics as vector images, as opposed to the typical bitmap type of image. The advantage of vector-based images is that they are much smaller than bitmaps. This is important in keeping animation files to a reasonable size.
Flash can be used to make quick drawings to be saved as GIF files. This can be easier than using a more sophisticated drawing application.
Animation
Animation is taking an image you have created with the Flash drawing tools or that you imported into Flash and then:
- Moving that image from one place to another,
- Changing the size of the image,
- Rotating the image,
- Changing the color or brightness of the image, or
- Combinations of the above.
Also, several objects can have their own animation properties at once.
Programmed effects
Complex animations can be programmed through the use of the ActionScript programming language.
Sound and Video
You can also add sound and video to your Flash animations or movies.
Interactions
User interactions can be added to control the animations or Flash movies.
Buttons
Buttons can be clicked to perform some task like starting or stopping a movie. Buttons can also be animated on the interaction. Menus are forms of buttons used for Web navigation.
Programmed effects
Complex interaction can be programmed through the use of the ActionScript programming language. One special effect is the ability to interact with a database.
Summary
Adobe Flash has a good set of vector-based drawing tools, as well as animation tools. The Flash plug-in is required for users to see the Flash animations.
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Resources
The following are resources on this subject.
Websites
Books
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. What is the major feature of the Flash drawing tools?
2. What is used for complex animations?
3. What can a button be used for?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Flash development. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Major Features of Flash CS3