Web Animation with Flash (Introductory) Course

With the help of Katherine Ulrich's book, lectures, exercices and assignments, we will be covering techniques to create what is most enjoyed throughout the web: FLASH animated web sites. This class sheds a needed light into the complex world of web animation. Don't know what Flash is? Visit http://www.adobe.com/products/flash/ and rush back here to get into what is considered to be the most important revolution in web design.

Outline

Week 1: Flash Basics

Find your way around the flash environment.
Understand the Timeline
Use rulers, grids and guides
Be able to change your document properties
Use the Property panel (inspector)
Use the zoom tool
Be able to draw simple graphics
Be able to work and create colors
Know how to change fill and stroke attributes

Week 2: Modifying Simple and Complex Graphics

Be writing with the text tool
Modify text and paragraph attributes
Be able to make detailed graphical selections
Be able to modify simple graphics (flipping, rotating, skewing, distorting)
Create more complex graphics on a single layer
Create transparent objects
Understand grouping
Know how to change the stacking order of objects
Be using the align tool
Know how to combine objects together

Week 3: Graphics on Multiple Layers and non Flash Graphics

Create graphics on multiple layers
Understand and organize layers
Work with different types of layers (Guide, normal, Mask)
Create layer folders
Change layer properties
Distribute graphics to layers
Know how to import non-Flash graphics
Know what formats you can import in Flash
Be able to turn raster graphics into vector graphics

Week 4: Symbols and Basic Animation

Understand the Library panel
Undestand why symbols are so important
Create, modify and use symbols
Know how to change one symbol into another
Be duplicating symbols easily
Create basic frame-by-frame animations
Know the difference between frames and keyframes
Know how to create/add/remove frames or keyframes
Be able to preview your animations
Understand and use Onion Skinning
Be able to edit multiple frames
Understand the notion of speed or Frame Rate in Flash
Vary the speed of your animations

Week 5: Motion and Shape Tweening

Be able to animate with motion tweening
Move, rotate, scale and create color effects for your graphics
Move objects along a path you define
Morph shapes into other shapes
Create shapes that move as they change

Week 6: More Complex Animations

Understand how to create scenes
Animate multiple tweens
Reverse frames
Use movie clip symbols
Create animated masks
Be able to create more complex animations

Week 7: Basic Actions and Introduction to Buttons

Understand the Actions panel
Understand some of the basics and possibilities of actionscripting
Add actions to frames
Assign frame labels and comments
Create named anchors
Control movie playback
Create basic buttons
Assign actions to your buttons

Week 8: Wrap up

Be able to deliver movies to your audience
Control movie placement in your browser
Create HTML pages to play your Flash files
Work with flash player settings
Be able to export your movie in formats other than Flash
Be able to create standalone .exe Flash Projectors
Understand how to print from Flash

Prerequisites

None, but basic understanding and familiarity of html and the web is helpful.

Requirements

Flash CS4, Flash CS3, or Flash 8. Flash works on both the Macintosh and Windows platforms.
Webspace: Each week you will have to upload your assignments to the internet so that your teacher may view them. This means you all must have some storage space on the internet. This storage space must be configured (MIME-Type) to handle Shockwave Flash files (.swf) and native Flash files (.fla). You can get free web space from various places.

Books:
Required Book	Flash CS4 Professional for Windows and Macintosh
Required Book	Flash CS3 Professional for Windows and Macintosh
Required Book	Macromedia Flash 8 for Windows and Macintosh
Additional information:
Your place in the course is confirmed by your payment. Introductory courses are intended for students with no experience in the subject matter and are seeking beginner level training. Refund Policy: Please read our Terms and Refund Policy before registering for this course. Additional Cost: Book and software might be required for the course. Read the Requirements and Book section for more information. Course fee does not include the book and software cost . How eClasses Work:Instructors post lectures (text-based, no video or audio), reading selections, and hands-on assignments once a week in the online classroom. Students can discuss the assignments with the instructor and amongst themselves in the classroom area. This format has no set meeting time, which allows students to attend class at a time most convenient to them, yet still provides logically organized communication between class participants. Students can apply for the completion certificate after finishing the class.

Price:

$220.00

IWA-HWG Price:

$120.00

Course No.:

A231

Instructor:

Stephane Richer

Co-instructor/TA:

Damien Hatcher

CEUs:

Duration:

8 weeks

Open Courses:

Start Date: Oct 11, 2010

Testimonials

Instructor's Profile:

Stephane Richer is the president of a print and web design company called Noise Communications based in Montreal. Stephane comes from the print design world where he evolved during the 1980's. In the 90's he turned to digital presentations and web design. After years of focusing on HTML/DHTML/CSS designs, Stephane switched to Macromedia's Flash when it was in its 3rd version. He now considers Flash to be one of the most important design tools for creating stunning designs for the web. He has been teaching Flash at our organization since January 2000. In 2001, he started teaching Fireworks and Director classes as well. Instructor: Damien Hatcher Damien Hatcher is a web designer who uses primarily flash at noise communication, based in Montreal. He has a B.A in English Literature and has been teaching at our organization since January 2000. Do not hesitate to contact him if you have any questions regarding the flash courses.

Before you register for this class, please read the Outline, Prerequisites, Requirements, Books, and Refund Policy sections carefully.