Focal Easy Guide to Macromedia Flash 8 For new users and professionals

Offering an accessible introduction to all the major features of this unique graphics package using dozens of real-life examples in step-by-step tutorials with color illustrations, this handbook covers the latest features included in Flash 8.

If you need to get to grips fast with creating interactive graphics and animation in Flash - then look no further! Whether you are a new user or a professional, this highly visual book is all you need to get up and running with the latest powerful upgrade - Macromedia Flash 8. Birgitta Hosea breaks down the software into its main components and offers simple, visual step-by-step instructions to explain the fundamental practical techniques you need to create finished projects. The accessible style and structure lets you dip in and out when working on a project, or work straight through to explore more of the program's capabilities and develop your skills. Written by a designer for designers The Focal Easy Guide to Macromedia Flash 8 offers a thorough coverage of the basic features of Flash, without going into in-depth coding with ActionScript.Birgitta Hosea is a motion graphics artist and Course Director of the London Animation Studio at Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design. Her experience ranges from designing moving branding to art directing pop promos and short films. A Volume in The Focal Easy Guide Series. The Focal Easy Guide series: . Starting working with new software immediately regardless of your level . Achieve professional results, learn practical skills from industry experts . Focused, user-friendly coverage of the key tools you need to know

IntroductionHistory and development of the programWhat is it used for?How to use this bookInterfaceAt a glance guide to the interfaceThe Start PageWhat are all the windows for?Changing your viewPanel Sets and customizing your interfaceUsing the Help filesFlash DocumentsNaming files and working cross platformVector DrawingAt a glance guide to the toolsThe drawing toolsDrawing a lineDrawing with the Pencil toolThe Shape ToolsPainting with the Brush toolUsing the Pen tool and the Subselection toolTo overlap or to obliterate: object drawing vs. merge drawingChanging coloursCreating gradient fillsTransforming fillsCreating textParagraph optionsSpell checkerSelecting and ModifyingMaking selectionsModifying drawingsAdding strokesCombining shapesRulers, Guides and GridsStep by step create a perspective gridAt a glance keyboard shortcuts for the toolsImporting ImagesVectors vs. bitmapsFile types Bitmap file formatsVector file formatsTo import imagesIntroducing the LibraryImporting images with areas of transparency Tracing bitmapsPainting with bitmapsLayers, Symbols and KeyframesIntroducing layersStep-by-step create a manual drop shadowIntroducing symbolsDesigning interactive buttonsCreating a button symbolIntroducing keyframesWhat is a behavior?Step-by-step create an interactive links pageUsing movie clip symbolsStep-by step create animated rollover buttonsNavigation 2 - Menus Button actions and frame actionsCreating a basic menuMenus and submenusAn online portfolioLoading imagesMail to linkAnimationCreating a banner ad with frame-by-frame animation Separating and locking layers Using keyframesOnion skinning Frame rate and sizeSymbol animationCreating graphic symbols and instancesMotion tweening Editing symbolsSummaryMore Animation TechniquesUsing motion pathsEasingShape tweening Animated highlightsAnimating gradientsMask layers Further Animation TechniquesTimeline effects Animated symbols Creating a looped backgroundCopying and pasting framesAltering symbol centre pointsSymbols within symbolsUsing scenesCharacter design tipsSoundCreating sounds to bring into FlashSome fundamentals of digital audioImporting soundsStreaming vs. event soundsEditing sounds in Flash Attach a sound to a buttonAdding comments to framesWarning about file sizesVideoWhat is digital video?How do you bring it into your computer?Using video in FlashRotoscoping Preparing for video outputFrame rate and frame sizePixel aspect ratioFrames vs. fieldsBroadcast safe colorsOverscanDesigning for Cross-mediaPlanning a web siteInformation architectureDesign for the webSizeColorTypographyUsabilityPlanning for animationPutting Flash on the WebAccessibilityProject management tipsTips for lowering file sizes Testing your workAnatomy of a websiteExporting Exporting with audio Creating pre-loadersUploadingCross-media PublishingPublishing ProfilesExporting stillsExporting with audioExporting for video outputAbout compression and file sizesCompositing your Flash movie Putting your Flash movie onto video or DVDExporting projectorsAppendix. ResourcesWeb usage statisticsWeb design infoAccessibilityMore about mobile devicesSound resources on the web ActionScripting tutorials on the webFlash animation tutorials on the webAnimation resources on the webFurther reading on character animationFurther reading on motion graphicsFurther reading on Flash