Ross Sheppard High School
Web Page Design and Construction
Student Learning Guide
Introduction to MacroMedia Flash

	When you have finished this project, you will be able to:
	describe what MacroMedia Flash is
	describe when a Flash movie might be used
	create a simple Flash movie

1. Create a new folder called Flash on your personal drive. Save everything related to this project in that folder.
   
   
2. In the prevous course you learned how to use several independent components to create a Web page. In this module you will learn how to use another component to add movement to your Web page. The program you will be using is called MacroMedia Flash.
   
   
3. Flash is a very powerful program, and during your instruction in it, you will be introduced to only the basic features. You are expected to explore Flash to learn some of the other features. You will not receive instruction in all of these features.
   
   
4. Take a few minutes to explore some Flash Web sites to see the potential of this program:
   
   

   a new link needed

   www.eye4u.com

   www.gabocorp.com

   www.macromedia.com

5. Now that you have seen what you can aspire to using Flash, start the program by double clicking on the Flash icon on your desktop:
   
   
   
   
6. The Flash workspace will appear. In Flash, this workspace is called the stage. There are three important concepts that you need to understand in order to create Flash movies:
   • all work is created on the stage
   • each object that you create on the stage should be created in a separate layer; think of the layers as transparent overlays, each with a different object on it
   • each layer is assigned a place along the timeline
   • the timeline controls when various events happen
     
     
     
     
7. The basic tools in Flash are similar to those found on any draw or paint program.
   
   
8. As an introduction to Flash, work through the eight lessons by clicking on Help on the Menu Bar, then Lessons, then select one of the lessons. Work through the lessons in order.
   
   
   Note: It is important that you take the time to work through each of the lessons now as they will provide a basis for everything you will do in Flash.
   
   
9. After you have completed the eight lessons, you can proceed with the first Flash project.
   
   
10. Create a new project in Flash.
    
    
11. Click Modify on the Menu Bar then select Movie. The following window will open.
    
    
    
    
12. On the Modify Movie window, you set the main properties of your movie:
    • the speed at which the movie plays, which is defaulted at 12 frames per second. If you increase this setting, the movie will play smoother, but will also be larger. Set the fps at 24.
    • the movie size. It is easier to set the movie size when you start rather than trying to change it later. Change the size to a width of 400 and a height of 300 pixels
    • leave the other properties set at the defaults
      
      
13. Click the OK button to proceed. You will be returned to the stage.
    
    
14. Draw a red circle with a black line on the stage:
    
    
    
    
15. Double click on the red ball to select the ball and the border.
    
    
16. On the Menu Bar, click Insert, then Convert to symbol:
    
    
    
    
17. Name the symbol Red Ball, then click OK.
    
    
    
    
18. Next, you need to name the layer. Do this by double clicking on the Layer 1 name and type Red Ball Movement. Note that for symbol and layer names, you should use names that are meaningful and descriptive.
    
    
    
    
19. The next step is to create the movement for the red ball. For this exercise, you will simply move the ball across the screen.
    
    
20. Notice that a key frame was inserted in frame 1 on the timeline. You need to create another key frame where you want to ball to stop; you also need to know how long you want it to take to move the ball across the stage. For this exercise, you will have the ball travel across the stage in 1.5 seconds.
    
    
21. Earlier, you set the movie to play at 24 frames per second, therefore, the final key frame will be at 36 frames.
    
    
22. Click in frame 36 then click Insert on the Menu Bar. Select Insert key frame.
    
    
    
    
23. Next, move the ball to the final location on the stage.
    
    
    
    
24. As with all work that you do on a computer, you should save your work.
    
    
25. Save your work by clicking on File on the Menu Bar, then Save.
    
    
26. Name the file Red Ball.
    
    
27. Browse to the folder you wish to save in, then click Save.
    
    
    
    
28. Play your Flash movie by pressing the [Enter] key. Notice that the ball stays in the key frame 1 position until the timeline reaches key frame 36, then jumps to the final position.
    
    
29. In order to have the movement be continuous while running the movie, you need to create a motion tween.
    
    
30. To create a motion tween, ensure the timeline is set at key frame 1. Do this by clicking in frame 1.
    
    
31. Right click key frame 1 and from the window that opens, select motion tween.
    
    
    
    
32. Notice that a motion tween indicator is placed on the timeline.
    
    
    
    
33. Save your project.
    
    
34. Play your movie again. If you've done everything properly, the ball should move smoothly across the stage as shown in the illustration below:
    
    

35. Now, add a green square and a yellow triangle to your project. Have the objects start in different corners of the stage and come together in a line in the centre of the stage.
    
    
36. Be sure that each object is created as a new symbol and on a separate layer.
    
    
37. Click here to see the marking guide for this project.

38. Save the project folder in your "Hand In" folder on your personal disk space so that this project can be graded.