Introduction to Adobe Flash CS4

Course length: 3 days
Prerequisite: None
Cost: $995

You don't need prior Flash experience to take this class! We start from scratch, providing you with the knowledge and hands-on practice needed to create rich media. You'll learn how to create Flash movies containing animation, sound, and even video. We teach you how to add simple user interactions using Actionscript. You'll leave this class understanding Flash's interface, design tools, timelines, and symbols. Flash development best practices are emphasized throught the course.

Flash topics covered include:

  • The Flash Interface - Panels, Tools, and Inspectors
  • Using Flash's drawing tools
  • Importing Bitmap and Vector Graphics into Flash
  • Creating, selecting, and reshaping lines and fills
  • Creating Custom Gradients
  • Working with Layers and Layer Folders
  • Understanding Frames and Keyframes
  • Using Text Effectively
  • Creating Frame-by-Frame and Tweened Animation
  • Masking
  • Working with Symbols
  • Using Timeline Effects
  • Creating Buttons
  • Using Script Assist to add interactivity
  • Adding Actions to Buttons and Frames
  • Adding Sound and Video
  • Changing Sound Properties
  • Flash Video
  • Publishing a Flash movie
  • Factors to consider before publishing a Flash movie
  • Techniques for optimizing Flash movies
  • Using the Bandwidth Profiler

Cyndy Cashman is the instructor for this class. Read her Flash tutorials in Layers Magazine.

Flash Animation and Special Effects

Course length: 2 days
Prerequisite: Previous Flash experience
Cost: $795

Discover how to create special effects and animation that will set your Flash movies apart! This class is for designers, educators, and web developers who are interested in using Flash as an animation tool. You'll learn how Flash can be used to create high-quality, compact, movies.

Animation techniques for creating character animations and environmental effects such as rain, lightening, fire, flowing water, and wind will be explored. You'll learn how to "fool the viewer's perception" using timing and sound effects. Throughout the course we'll share Flash tricks and tips that will help you kick out your projects in record time.

Topics:

  • Design Styles
  • Transformation and Distortion
  • Masking
  • Motion Tricks and Tips
  • Motion Editor
  • Shadows: Basic, Drop, Perspective
  • Filters
  • Selective Blurring
  • Combining Effects
  • Character Animation
  • Sound

 

Introduction to Flash ActionScript 3

Course length: 2 days
Prerequisite: Introduction to Flash
Cost: $795

If you have experience with Flash, try this ActionScripting class to learn how to create event-driven animation and interactive games. This course covers fundamental programming techniques for ActionScript 3.0. It is targeted to beginning and intermediate level Web designers who need to create interactive content for the Web.

Topics:

  • ActionScript 3 elements
  • Controlling objects with ActionScript
  • Using Methods
  • Writing Functions
  • Responding to Events
  • Understanding Classes: Writing a Class, Extending a Class, Defining a Document Class
  • Writing Conditional Statements and Loops
  • Using the Math Class
  • Using Text and Arrays to Create a Game
  • Animating Filters with ActionScript
  • Loading External Images and SWFs
  • Loading and Controlling Sound
  • Loading and Controlling Video

 

Course materials are provided. Course outlines serve as guidelines for the class. Our goal is to make sure that students receive the training they need to meet their objectives. We may alter course topics to best suit students needs.