Flash MX 2004 - Online Course

Flash MX 2004 teaches learners how to create animated web graphics and movies from scratch. Learners will be able to apply their knowledge to the creation of both dynamic and interactive Web graphics and applications.

This series is for anyone who would like to create web animations using Flash MX 2004. This online course contains 7 lessons and should take approximately 24 hours to complete.

Lesson 1: Using the Interface and Importing Graphics (3.0) hours

Using the Interface and Importing Graphics teaches you how to navigate Flash, import and export graphics, convert bitmaps, and identify file types. After taking this course, the learner will be able to navigate the Flash MX 2004 interface and use Flash panels, Libraries, and Timelines. Basic principles of document properties, file types, and graphic importation and conversion will lay the groundwork for constructing animations. Topics include The Stage and Tools panel, The Timeline, Properties panel, and Library, Navigating in Flash, Document properties, File types, Importing vector graphics, Importing raster graphics, and Converting a bitmap to a vector graphic.

Lesson 2: Drawing, Painting, and Using the Library (4.0) hours

Drawing, Painting, and Using the Library teaches you how to use the Flash MX tools, create and modify text, create custom gradients and color, convert an object to a symbol, and navigate and manage the Library. This course teaches learners to draw, paint, and use the Library in Flash MX 2004, as well as to create and modify text. Topics include Viewing and modification tools, Drawing lines and painting fills, Creating text, Selecting and transforming objects, Creating colors and gradients, Advanced color techniques, Isolating objects, Grouping objects, Converting an object to a symbol, Creating a new symbol, Navigating the Library, and Using symbols from the Library.

Lesson 3: Creating Animations (3.0) hours

Creating Animations teaches you how to describing basic components of animation, creating a frame-by-frame animation, using motion tweening, and using Ease In and Ease Out effects. This course provides an overview of the components of animation as well as techniques and tips for creating and enhancing frame-by-frame animation. This allows the learner to practice basic animation skills before progressing to more advanced animation techniques. Topics include Frames and frame rate, Animation speed, Keyframes and tweening, Frame-by-frame animation, Previewing the animation, Using the Onion Skin tools, Enhancing a frame-by-frame animnation, Creating a motion tween, Motion tweening tips and techniques, Using multiple keyframes, and Using Ease In and Ease Out.

Lesson 4: Using Shape Tween and Timeline Effects (3.0) hours

Using Shape Tween and Timeline Effects teaches you how to create shape tweens, utilize shape hints, modify and edit Timeline effects, and understand commands. After taking this course, learners will be able to create shape tweens and use Timeline effects in Flash MX 2004, allowing them to animate and modify shapes. This course also provides an overview of the use of commands and recording a series of steps. Topics include Making a shape tween, Shape tween tips and techniques, Using shape hints, Shape Hints tips and techniques, Using Timeline effects, Modifying and editing Timeline effects, Creating a command, and Creating dynamic commands.

Lesson 5: Using Sound and Layers (4.0) hours

Using Sound and Layers teaches you how to import sound files into Flash, synchronize and loop sounds within an animation, modify sound settings such as channel volume and length, compress sound files individually or for an entire movie, modify layer properties including visibility and security, and create Normal, Guide, Motion Guide, and Mask layers. After taking this course learners will be able to incorporate audio into Flash MX 2004 animations to create effective sound effects with the least possible increase in file size. In addition, the learner will explore working with multiple layers and layer properties to create both subtle and dramatic effects such as invisible and masked layers. Topics include Sound basics, Sync settings, Modifying sounds, Looping and coordinating sounds, Sound quality and file size, Export settings, Layer basics, Layer properties, Guide layers, Motion guide layers, and Mask layers.

Lesson 6: Adding Symbols and Buttons (3.0) hours

Adding Symbols and Buttons teaches you how to create movie clips, create buttons, and add sound to buttons. After taking this course, learners will be able to create interactive pages using movie clips, graphic symbols, and buttons in Flash MX 2004, allowing them to create more engaging, interactive animations. Topics include Creating a movie clip, Movie clip behavior, Using movie clips, File size and download order, Making a button, Defining hit state, Managing file sizes, Animated buttons, Sounds in buttons, and Invisible buttons.

Lesson 7: ActionScript, Behaviors, and Publishing (4.0) hours

ActionScript, Behaviors, and Publishing teaches you how to configure keyframes, buttons, and movie clips using ActionScript, address movie clips, use and modify publishing templates, implement hyperlinks within a movie using named anchors, publish Flash, HTML, GIF, JPG, and PNG files, and create Projector and QuickTime movies. This course shows learners how control Flash MX 2004 movies using ActionScript. It also covers a variety of techniques for publishing movies, as well as the pros and cons of each method. Topics include The Actions panel, Specifying action parameters, Frame and button actions, Movie clip actions, Using behaviors, Addressing movie clips, Publishing a movie, Adjusting templates, Using named anchor frames, Publishing Flash and HTML files, Publishing GIF, JPG, and PNG files, Using projectors and QuickTime, and Exporting other media types.