FLASH FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - What is the Library? The Library is an area in which you store all content used in a Flash movie. In Flash terminology, each piece of content stored in the Library is referred to as a symbol. Content that you draw or import must be placed in the Library before it can be effectively used in Flash. Once an item is saved in the Library, it can be re-used and edited an infinite number of times without affecting the original symbol. The Library is displayed as a window, and its contents are accessed by dragging and dropping onto the Stage. - How do I add image content to the Library? And, what Symbol type should I choose? You typically create content in Flash by either drawing or importing it. To get content (i.e., graphics, movie clips, etc.) into your Library, you must first place it on the Stage and select it (Edit > Select All, or drag with your mouse to select), then right-click (ctrl-click on Mac) on it and choose Convert to Symbol from the pop-up menu that appears. You can classify symbols in your Library as buttons, graphics, or movie clips. Button is suited for developing click-able graphics; Graphic is suited for repeatedly used static images; and, Movie Clip is suited for more advanced editing, such as assigning Actions. For most beginners, using Graphic will suffice. - How do I use Layers? Layers allow a user to better organize content used on the Stage. Similar to programs like Photoshop, using Layers also provides the advantage of treating different pieces of content as separate entities (i.e., separate graphics reside on their own layer, as opposed to everything being in one layer), Layers are displayed on the far left side of the Timeline: Whenever you make a new Flash file, the first Layer is automatically created. You can re-name a layer by double-clicking its name and typing a new one. Beneath the layer name(s) are buttons for adding new layers, as well as layer folders (to organize groups of layers) and motion guides. - What s the difference between a Frame and a Keyframe? Just like pieces of film, the Flash Timeline measures the passage of times in frames. The default frame rate in Flash in 12 fps (frames per second). The numbers along the top of the Timeline indicate frames. Therefore all activity that happens in a movie occurs in a series of frames. A keyframe is a special kind frame. You insert one wherever you want to change the behavior of the content on a given layer. Typical uses of keyframes include animation, as well as inserting and removing content on a layer during a movie. Simply put, a keyframe signifies a change in behavior. - How do I insert Frames and Keyframes? Whenever you place something on the Stage, a keyframe is automatically inserted on the Timeline in the currently selected layer. This signifies the appearance of a new item on the Timeline. You can determine how long an item remains on the Timeline by adding frames after that initial keyframe. Both frames and keyframes are easily added by right-clicking (ctrl-click on Mac) on a blank frame in the Timeline and choosing Insert Frame or Insert Keyframe from the pop-up menu.
A quick way to add frames to the Timeline is to add a keyframe further down the Timeline on a layer you ve just added something to frames will fill in the space between. - How do I animate graphics? The key to animating graphics is to understand the use of Keyframes. When animating a graphic in a layer, a Keyframe must be placed at the point in time where the animation begins, and then at the point in time where it ends (see below for an explanation of frames and keyframes). Finally, a Motion Tween must be inserted between the Keyframes for the animation to occur. Keep in mind that whenever you drag an item to the stage from your Library, a Keyframe is automatically created in the currently selected layer. Thus, if you add a Keyframe several frames later (say, 30 frames), the frames between are filled in on the Timeline. From this point, choose frame 1 and place the object where you want it to begin moving; choose frame 30 and move the object where you want it to stop moving. Finally, right-click (ctrl-click on Mac) any frame between the two Keyframes and choose Create Motion Tween from the pop-up that appears. Notice the Timeline -- an arrow appears between the Keyframes, and the frames in between are now blue. Move the playhead to frame 1 of the timeline and press Enter to play the movie. Flash creates the motion between the keyframes! - How do I preview my movie outside of Flash while I m still working on it? Choose Control > Test Movie to view your movie in the Flash player (your movie will automatically loop). - How do I get graphics I ve created in another program into my Flash Library? Use File > Import to bring images and media from other applications into Flash. You can import content directly to the Stage or the Library; either way, however, you must convert it to a symbol before using it in your movie. - What is Symbol Editing Mode, and when would I use it? Symbol Editing Mode is a way to change the properties of an item in your Library. While instances of Library content on the Stage can be edited without affecting the original, Symbol Editing Mode can be used to change the original. To enter Symbol Editing Mode, double-click an item in the Library. It will appear on the Stage perform any necessary editing, and click the back arrow in the upper-left corner of the Timeline when finished. Your original item is now changed, and all instances of it will reflect that change. You can also double-click an item already on the Stage to enter Symbol Editing Mode. - How do I edit characteristics of items on the Stage, such as color, opacity and size? And, how do I make sure my original Symbol is unaffected? By single-clicking an item on the stage, the Properties Inspector will display properties including size dimensions, x-y coordinates, and a color menu. All of these properties can be edited. When using the color menu, different editing options will appear depending which item you choose. If you are attempting to edit an item that has not been added to the Library, then the editable properties will be limited until it has been added.
So long as your are mindful to stay out of Symbol Editing Mode (i.e., avoid double-clicking items on the Stage), your original symbol will be unaffected by any edits you apply to an instance of it. However, if you accidentally enter Symbol Editing Mode, simply click the back arrow in the upper left corner of the Timeline to exit. - What are Scenes, and how do I use them? Scenes are a way to organize your movie into separate parts. Users often incorporate scenes in longer movies to save themselves the effort of scrolling back and forth on a huge Timeline. When a new file is created, a first scene is also create. To insert additional ones, choose Insert > Scene. To toggle between them, click the clapboard icon in the upper-right corner of the Timeline. When previewing or watching a movie, multiple scenes should transition instantly. - What s the difference between FLA and SWF files? What other types of files can Flash create? FLA stands for Flash, and it is the program s native file format. When you create a new file, this is the default format, and it includes all of your layer information, as well as your Library, etc. The FLA file is your source document, so you will want to keep a copy of it. SAVE FREQUENTLY! SWF stands for Shock Wave Flash, and it is the flash format used on the web. Flash movies in FLA format must be converted to SWF before being implemented on the web, (or other application such as video or CD-ROM). Keep in mind this does not overwrite your source FLA file; however, SWF is a distribution format, and cannot be edited (another reason to save a copy of your source FLA file). To save your FLA file as SWF, choose File > Export Movie, select Flash Movie, and follow the steps. You will notice that Flash supports several other file formats, including AVI, QuickTime and animated GIF. These are useful in the instance that your Flash movies are needed for further development in other applications. - Are there other programs that can create SWF files? At the time of this writing, only a few. In addition to Flash itself, the Macromedia programs Fireworks and Robodemo can output SWF files, and the Breeze PowerPoint plug-in uses the SWF format. In addition, the programs Camtasia Studio (screen capture software) and Sorensen Squeeze (media
compression software) can output SWF files. - What are Actions, and how do I use them? Actions (sometimes called Action scripting ) represent the programming capability of Flash, and allow users to develop full-fledged applications. Actions are implemented using the code library (Javabased) contained in the Actions panel (Window > Development Panel > Actions). Actions are an advanced feature of Flash. While there are a handful of simple applications that most users can learn to implement in a Flash movie, the majority of Action scripting requires at least a moderate understanding of programming logic. RU Technology In Learning Center