Transcript FL_Lesson01

Introducing Macromedia Flash
MX 2004
Lesson 1
Introducing Macromedia Flash MX 2004 – Lesson 1
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Objectives
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Explain vector graphics and raster
images and their role in streaming
technology.
Use the Flash Player.
Recognize Flash file formats.
Recognize Flash in action in various
Web sites.
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Flash adds content and
animation to Web pages
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Flash movies use vector graphics to reduce
size and download time.
Movies can be “streamed” into a Web
browser, which means they can begin playing
before they are fully downloaded.
Flash movies can include interactivity to allow
the viewer to enter input, including two-way
messaging.
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Flash supports vector and
raster images
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Although Flash is vector-oriented, it does provide
support for raster images as well.
Vector images consist of lines and curves and
descriptions of their properties.
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They are usually smaller than raster images, download
faster, and scale better.
Raster images are created by mapping the placement
and color of each individual pixel.
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These are also called bitmap images.
They are usually larger than vector images and tend to
distort or lose quality when scaled to a large magnification.
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Scaling a raster versus a
vector image
At standard size, a raster image and a vector image may appear identical.
However, when scaled up to a larger size, the vector image will maintain a
smooth edge while the edge of the raster image becomes very jagged.
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Flash file formats
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Flash is primarily vector-based and can open images
from other vector-based graphic programs, such as
Fireworks.
It can also support several raster image types,
including:
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BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG, PICT, PNT and TIFF.
Files saved from Flash are saved in FLA format.
Files saved in FLA file format can be used to create
stand-alone movies, HTML files, and SWF files.
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Use the Flash Player to view
movies
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Movies created in Flash require the
Flash Player to be viewed on the Web.
The Flash Player is now bundled with
many Web browsers and some
operating systems.
Flash Player is a small file and can be
downloaded to your computer from the
Internet at the Macromedia Web site.
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Using the Flash Player
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You can create Web pages in Flash that are
preset to look for the latest Flash Player
version when the page is loaded so the user
can update their system automatically.
Using the Flash Player is similar to using a
VCR or a DVD player to watch a movie.
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You can start and stop play when desired.
You can rewind or go forward in the movie.
Flash MX 2004 ships with the Flash Player
included.
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Create stand-alone movies
You do not need the Flash Player installed to view movies on your
desktop. Flash movies can be converted into ”projectors,” which are
stand-alone executable files.
This figure shows two
icons. One is for a
standard Flash FLA
movie file. The other is
for a Flash movie that
has been turned into a
projector.
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Surf the Web to find Flash
sites
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Flash is in use on many Web sites around the world, including
the following sites:
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www.sonyclassical.com
www.axis-media.com
www.artnomad.com
www.ry-guy.com
There are many other sites you can surf to see Flash in action.
Observe the download times for some of these sites and notice
that, the more complex the animation, the longer the download
normally takes.
Note that the animations will begin to play while they are being
downloaded.
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Summary
In this lesson, you learned:
 About streaming animations and the role vector
graphics and raster images play in these.
 To use the Macromedia Flash Player.
 To recognize Flash file formats.
 What Flash products can look like when used in Web
sites.
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