Flash

1. Flash Adding Multimedia Content to Web Pages

2. What is it? • A multimedia program • Combines motion, graphics, sound, and interactivity in web page formats • Began as FutureSplash • Acquired by Macromedia in 1997 • Vector-based

3. Vector vs. Bitmap • Vector • Uses geometric equations • A circle is a circle, a square a square, etc • Higher quality than Bitmap • Best for rendering type and shapes • Bitmap • Generally in 2 formats, GIF and JPEG • Series of pixels (which are square) • Best for reproducing photgraphs

4. Flash Files • Files are called Shockwave Flash, or swf and the working document has a file extension of fla • Web browser must have the plug-in installed (No big deal, it is free) it will open swf files, only Flash can open a fla file

5. Terminology • Stage – where we assemble the parts • Timeline – where we determine what happens and when • Panels – holds the controls for the Stage and Timeline • Menu Bar – Same as other software programs • Like all proprietary software, it has its own buzz words

6. Creating Graphics • We need to work with properties such as frame rate, dimensions, background color, and ruler units • We utilize the Tools Panel for all of our drawing and manipulating objects

7. Tools Panel • Four sections • Tools – drawing and selecting • View – change the magnification or position of the stage • Colors – of course to specify colors in use • Options – vary depending on the tool in use

8. Samples • http://www.homepages.dsu.edu/pauliw/Cis275Work/http.htm