Flash CS4 All-in-One For Dummies®

Book description

Ready to take your Flash skills to the next level? Learn how to use Adobe Flash CS4 to create innovative interactive experiences! Flash CS4 All-In-One For Dummies shows you how to create professional, cool projects, step by step, from start to finish.

Whether you’re working on your first Flash project or you’re a veteran Flash animator ready to get into more advanced applications, Flash CS4 All-In-One For Dummies walks you through Flash’s new tricks and explains how to use them. You’ll get the skinny on new features including inverse kinematics, motion tweening, and Motion Editor. You’ll also find out how to:

  • Work with panels

  • Take advantage of an ActionScript

  • Create and plan your first project

  • Follow the ins and outs of Flash graphics

  • Navigate your way around the swatches panel

  • Get your video on the Web using YouTube

  • Utilize Flash audio and video

  • Develop with the Flash timeline

To help you quickly find what you need, Flash CS4 All-In-One For Dummies is divided into eight minibooks:

  • Introducing Flash

  • Creating Graphics

  • Animating Graphics

  • Adding ActionScript 3.0 Magic

  • Working with Flash Audio

  • Working with Flash Video

  • Getting Interactive

  • Finalizing a Flash Project

Flash CS4 All-In-One For Dummies will help make your experience animating in Flash much easier!

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Authors
  3. Authors' Acknowledgments
  4. Publisher's Acknowledgments
  5. Introduction
    1. About This Book
    2. Conventions Used in This Book
    3. What You Don't Have to Read
    4. Foolish Assumptions
    5. How This Book Is Organized
      1. Book I: Introducing Flash
      2. Book II: Creating Graphics
      3. Book III: Animating Graphics
      4. Book IV: Adding ActionScript 3.0 Magic
      5. Book V: Working with Flash Audio
      6. Book VI: Working with Flash Video
      7. Book VII: Getting Interactive
      8. Book VIII: Finalizing a Flash Project
      9. Companion Web site
    6. Icons Used in This Book
    7. Where to Go from Here
  6. I. Introducing Flash
    1. 1. Exploring Flash
      1. 1.1. Finding Out What's New in Flash CS4
        1. 1.1.1. Discovering the new features
        2. 1.1.2. Introducing the new tools
        3. 1.1.3. Flash CS4 and you
      2. 1.2. Exploring the Flash Workspace
        1. 1.2.1. Getting to know the menu bar
        2. 1.2.2. Examining the display bar
        3. 1.2.3. Taking the stage
        4. 1.2.4. Exploring the panels
          1. 1.2.4.1. Property inspector
          2. 1.2.4.2. Document library
          3. 1.2.4.3. Timeline
          4. 1.2.4.4. Motion Editor
          5. 1.2.4.5. Other panels
        5. 1.2.5. Getting chummy with the Tools panel
      3. 1.3. Customizing the Workspace
        1. 1.3.1. Customizing the Tools panel
        2. 1.3.2. Rearranging the workspace
        3. 1.3.3. Saving a custom workspace
        4. 1.3.4. Managing workspaces
        5. 1.3.5. Changing keyboard shortcuts
        6. 1.3.6. Setting Flash preferences
    2. 2. Introducing Graphics, Symbols, and Animations
      1. 2.1. Working with Flash Graphics
        1. 2.1.1. Creating graphics with drawing tools
          1. 2.1.1.1. The Pencil and Brush tools
          2. 2.1.1.2. The Pen tool
        2. 2.1.2. Introducing the Text tool
        3. 2.1.3. Getting colorful
      2. 2.2. Finding Out about Symbols and Instances
        1. 2.2.1. Understanding graphic symbols
        2. 2.2.2. Buttons, buttons, and more buttons
        3. 2.2.3. Changing movie clip properties
        4. 2.2.4. Checking out symbols from the library
      3. 2.3. Introducing Flash Animation
        1. 2.3.1. Frame-by-frame animation (the old school)
        2. 2.3.2. Motion tweening will move ya
        3. 2.3.3. Shape tweening will morph ya
        4. 2.3.4. Inverse kinematics is bad to the bone
    3. 3. The Engine Beneath Flash: ActionScript 3
      1. 3.1. Understanding What ActionScript 3 Can Do for You
        1. 3.1.1. Controlling the Timeline
        2. 3.1.2. Working with the Timeline
      2. 3.2. Creating Timeline Functions with ActionScript
        1. 3.2.1. Creating two buttons
        2. 3.2.2. Formatting the buttons
        3. 3.2.3. Adding the ActionScript
        4. 3.2.4. The ActionScript's actions
      3. 3.3. Bringing in New Objects
        1. 3.3.1. Providing information just in time
        2. 3.3.2. Organizing tasks
      4. 3.4. Looking at the Many Levels of ActionScript
        1. 3.4.1. The Timeline code
        2. 3.4.2. ActionScript files and classes
          1. 3.4.2.1. From Timeline to ActionScript file
          2. 3.4.2.2. Taking it in a little at a time
    4. 4. Creating Your First Flash Project
      1. 4.1. Planning Your Project
        1. 4.1.1. Mapping out the project
        2. 4.1.2. Determining the scope of your project
        3. 4.1.3. Making a list and checking it twice
        4. 4.1.4. Covering your assets
      2. 4.2. Creating Your First Flash Document
        1. 4.2.1. Ye olde Welcome screen
        2. 4.2.2. Creating a document from a template
        3. 4.2.3. Creating a document from scratch
        4. 4.2.4. Setting the document size, background color, and frame rate
        5. 4.2.5. Creating your first animation
    5. 5. Pushing the Panic Button — Help!
      1. 5.1. Getting By with a Little Help from Flash
        1. 5.1.1. Using Flash Help
        2. 5.1.2. Getting ActionScript help
      2. 5.2. Updating Flash
      3. 5.3. Extending Flash
        1. 5.3.1. Finding Flash extensions
        2. 5.3.2. Installing Flash extensions
        3. 5.3.3. Managing Flash extensions
      4. 5.4. Flash Online Resources
  7. II. Creating Graphics
    1. 1. Creating Flashy Graphics
      1. 1.1. A Tale of Two Graphic Types
        1. 1.1.1. Understanding vector graphics
        2. 1.1.2. Understanding bitmap (raster) graphics
      2. 1.2. Creating Shapes
        1. 1.2.1. Using the Primitive Oval and Rectangle tools
          1. 1.2.1.1. Creating a Primitive Oval shape
          2. 1.2.1.2. Creating a Primitive Rectangle shape
          3. 1.2.1.3. Modifying Primitive Ovals and Rectangles
        2. 1.2.2. Creating shapes with the Oval and Rectangle tools
          1. 1.2.2.1. The Oval tool
          2. 1.2.2.2. The Rectangle tool
        3. 1.2.3. Mastering the Polystar tool
        4. 1.2.4. Creating unique shapes with the Oval Rectangle and Polystar tools
        5. 1.2.5. Creating lines — the straight and narrow
        6. 1.2.6. Using the basic shape tools in Object Drawing mode
        7. 1.2.7. Modifying basic shapes
      3. 1.3. Using the Drawing Tools
        1. 1.3.1. Drawing with the Pencil tool
        2. 1.3.2. Painting with the Brush tool
        3. 1.3.3. Using the Spray Brush tool
        4. 1.3.4. Creating paths with the Pen tool
        5. 1.3.5. The Eraser tool — the quicker picker-upper
      4. 1.4. Modifying Objects
        1. 1.4.1. Selecting objects
        2. 1.4.2. Modifying shapes point by point
        3. 1.4.3. Modifying objects with the Pen tool and friends
        4. 1.4.4. Modifying objects with the Property inspector
        5. 1.4.5. Using the Free Transform tool
        6. 1.4.6. The Transform panel — a geek's best friend
        7. 1.4.7. The Info panel — read all about it
        8. 1.4.8. The Align panel — when precision counts
        9. 1.4.9. Creating groups
    2. 2. A Splash of Color, S'il Vous Plaît
      1. 2.1. Getting to Know Color: The Skinny on RGB, HSB, and Hexadecimal
      2. 2.2. Stroked and Filled, but Not Punched
        1. 2.2.1. Defining the stroke color
        2. 2.2.2. Defining the fill color
      3. 2.3. Finding Your Way around the Swatches Panel
        1. 2.3.1. Understanding Web-safe colors
        2. 2.3.2. Getting to know the Swatches panel
        3. 2.3.3. Creating a custom color set
      4. 2.4. Mixing a Color
        1. 2.4.1. Getting up close and personal with the Color panel
        2. 2.4.2. Mixing a swatch of color
        3. 2.4.3. Creating a gradient
        4. 2.4.4. Using the Transform Gradient tool
      5. 2.5. Changing Colors
        1. 2.5.1. Using the Ink Bottle tool
        2. 2.5.2. Using the Paint Bucket tool
      6. 2.6. Using the Kuler Extension
    3. 3. Getting the Word Out with Text
      1. 3.1. Using the Text Tool
        1. 3.1.1. Creating static text
        2. 3.1.2. Adding a hyperlink to text
        3. 3.1.3. Creating input text
        4. 3.1.4. Creating dynamic text
      2. 3.2. Formatting Text
        1. 3.2.1. Specifying text character parameters
        2. 3.2.2. Working with paragraph text
      3. 3.3. Creating Text
        1. 3.3.1. Font considerations
          1. 3.3.1.1. Choosing fonts for static text fields
          2. 3.3.1.2. Choosing fonts for input and dynamic text fields
        2. 3.3.2. Converting text to graphics
      4. 3.4. Editing Text Fields
        1. 3.4.1. Resizing a text field
        2. 3.4.2. Editing text
        3. 3.4.3. Spell-checking text fields
        4. 3.4.4. Setting up the Flash spell check
        5. 3.4.5. Running the Flash spell checker
      5. 3.5. Using the Find and Replace Command
    4. 4. Creating Graphic Symbols for Fun and Profit
      1. 4.1. Understanding Symbols and Instances
      2. 4.2. Creating Symbols
        1. 4.2.1. Understanding symbol types
        2. 4.2.2. Converting an object to a symbol
        3. 4.2.3. Creating a new symbol
        4. 4.2.4. Spraying symbols
      3. 4.3. Editing Symbols
        1. 4.3.1. Editing symbols in place
        2. 4.3.2. Using symbol-editing mode
        3. 4.3.3. Editing symbols in another window
        4. 4.3.4. Swapping symbols
        5. 4.3.5. Modifying symbol instance properties
      4. 4.4. Using the Document Library
        1. 4.4.1. Creating library folders
        2. 4.4.2. Duplicating symbols
        3. 4.4.3. Understanding that default names are not your friends
        4. 4.4.4. Keeping the document library neat and tidy: The Felix Unger factor
        5. 4.4.5. Importing symbols from another Flash document
    5. 5. Organizing Your Work
      1. 5.1. Organizing a Project with Layers
        1. 5.1.1. Creating a new layer
        2. 5.1.2. Creating layer folders
        3. 5.1.3. Editing layers
        4. 5.1.4. Editing layer properties
      2. 5.2. Being Precise with Rulers and Guides and the Grid
        1. 5.2.1. Using rulers
        2. 5.2.2. Creating guides
        3. 5.2.3. Using the grid
    6. 6. Working with Images (Or, Bumpin' with Bitmaps)
      1. 6.1. Knowing Your File Formats
      2. 6.2. Preparing Images for Flash
      3. 6.3. Importing Image Sequences
      4. 6.4. Importing a Photoshop Document with Layers
      5. 6.5. Tracing Bitmaps
      6. 6.6. Editing Images
        1. 6.6.1. Editing images in an external editor
        2. 6.6.2. Editing image properties
      7. 6.7. Creating a Bitmap Fill
      8. 6.8. Swapping Bitmaps — It's Legal in All 50 States
  8. III. Animating Graphics
    1. 1. Working with the Flash Timeline
      1. 1.1. Getting to Know the Timeline
      2. 1.2. Frames and Keyframes and Blank Keyframes
      3. 1.3. Creating Frames, Keyframes, and Blank Keyframes
        1. 1.3.1. Adding a frame
        2. 1.3.2. Adding multiple frames
        3. 1.3.3. Adding a keyframe
        4. 1.3.4. Adding multiple keyframes
        5. 1.3.5. Adding a blank keyframe
      4. 1.4. Editing Frames
        1. 1.4.1. Selecting a frame
        2. 1.4.2. Copying a frame
      5. 1.5. Managing a Timeline
    2. 2. Creating a Flash Animation
      1. 2.1. Creating an Animated Background
      2. 2.2. Creating a Frame-by-Frame Animation
      3. 2.3. Making a Motion Tween Animation
      4. 2.4. Building a Shape Tween Animation
      5. 2.5. Reversing an Animation
      6. 2.6. Simulating 3D Animation
        1. 2.6.1. Using the 3D Rotation tool
        2. 2.6.2. Using the 3D Translation tool
      7. 2.7. Animating with the Spray Brush Tool
      8. 2.8. Creating an Inverse Kinematics (IK) Animation
        1. 2.8.1. Creating the IK chain minus the daisies
        2. 2.8.2. Constraining the bones
        3. 2.8.3. Creating the animation
        4. 2.8.4. Using the Bind tool
    3. 3. Animating Text
      1. 3.1. Creating Typewriter Text
      2. 3.2. Creating Flying Text
    4. 4. Advanced Animation Techniques
      1. 4.1. Using Motion Presets
        1. 4.1.1. Creating a motion preset
        2. 4.1.2. Managing motion presets
      2. 4.2. Manually Editing a Motion Path
      3. 4.3. Editing Motion Tween Animations
        1. 4.3.1. Fine-tuning the animation
          1. 4.3.1.1. Changing the timing of an animation
          2. 4.3.1.2. Editing an animation in the Property inspector
        2. 4.3.2. Introducing the Motion Editor
        3. 4.3.3. Understanding nonroving and roving keyframes
      4. 4.4. Copying Motion
        1. 4.4.1. Using the Copy Motion command
        2. 4.4.2. Copying motion using ActionScript
      5. 4.5. Editing a Shape Tween Animation
      6. 4.6. Editing Multiple Frames and Other Delights
        1. 4.6.1. Using onion skins
        2. 4.6.2. Editing multiple frames
  9. IV. Adding ActionScript 3.0 Magic
    1. 1. Who's Afraid of the Big Bad ActionScript 3.0?
      1. 1.1. Vive la Différence: New versus Old ActionScript
        1. 1.1.1. Button scripts
          1. 1.1.1.1. Mouse events
          2. 1.1.1.2. Listen up! Adding event listeners to buttons
          3. 1.1.1.3. Functions for buttons
        2. 1.1.2. Bossing around movie clip scripts
      2. 1.2. Movin' On the Timeline
      3. 1.3. Controlling Movie Clip Timelines
    2. 2. Working Off the Timeline with Symbol and Component Classes
      1. 2.1. Breaking the Timeline Habit
        1. 2.1.1. Forming a tag team with ActionScript and a Flash file
        2. 2.1.2. Comments and clip code
        3. 2.1.3. The world's simplest class
          1. 2.1.3.1. Making a MovieClip class in Flash
          2. 2.1.3.2. Buttons and text fields: A tale of two objects
      2. 2.2. Code and Design Made Easy
        1. 2.2.1. Going back to instance names
        2. 2.2.2. Easy application and easy objects
      3. 2.3. The Simple Power of User Interface (UI) Component Classes
        1. 2.3.1. Choosing from a list
          1. 2.3.1.1. List events
          2. 2.3.1.2. List data
        2. 2.3.2. Don't quote me!
    3. 3. Formal Features and Structures
      1. 3.1. Checkin' Out the Basics: "My, My, I Declare!"
        1. 3.1.1. You are soooo not my type!
          1. 3.1.1.1. Typing on the Stage
          2. 3.1.1.2. Using components in the Library
          3. 3.1.1.3. Variables, constants, and objects
          4. 3.1.1.4. Types that need importing
        2. 3.1.2. Access denied! Setting access
      2. 3.2. Operators: Assign, Compare, and Do the Math
        1. 3.2.1. Operator? Operator?
        2. 3.2.2. Elementary logic, my dear Watson
    4. 4. Making Decisions ... and Repeating Yourself
      1. 4.1. On One Condition! (Or, Maybe More than One): Conditional Statements
        1. 4.1.1. The if statement
        2. 4.1.2. The else clause
        3. 4.1.3. Let's do the switch!
      2. 4.2. Let the Looping Computer Do the Work
        1. 4.2.1. The for loop
        2. 4.2.2. The foreign ...er, for..in loop
        3. 4.2.3. The for each..in loop
        4. 4.2.4. The while and do..while loops
    5. 5. Harnessing the Power of ActionScript 3.0
      1. 5.1. Meet the Gang: Arrays
        1. 5.1.1. Creating an array
        2. 5.1.2. Getting pushy: Adding data to an array
        3. 5.1.3. pop() goes the element! Retrieving data from an array
        4. 5.1.4. Sorting with an array
        5. 5.1.5. Array practice
      2. 5.2. New in Flash CS4: Vectors
        1. 5.2.1. Checking out non-numeric ID for vector elements
        2. 5.2.2. Using the forEach() method
        3. 5.2.3. Look what the cat dragged in!
      3. 5.3. An Introduction to ActionScript Graphic Programming
        1. 5.3.1. Get in Shape!
          1. 5.3.1.1. Simple rectangle
          2. 5.3.1.2. The image maker
        2. 5.3.2. The triangle and the vector
  10. V. Working with Flash Audio
    1. 1. Understanding Web Audio
      1. 1.1. Exploring Flash-Sanctioned Audio Formats
      2. 1.2. Understanding Bit Depths, Data Rates, and Sample Rates
      3. 1.3. Recording Hardware
        1. 1.3.1. Zoom H2
        2. 1.3.2. Blue Snowball
        3. 1.3.3. Blue Snowflake
      4. 1.4. Sound-Editing Software
        1. 1.4.1. Adobe Audition
        2. 1.4.2. Sony Sound Forge
        3. 1.4.3. Sony ACID Music Studio (Windows only)
    2. 2. Adding Sound to a Flash Production
      1. 2.1. Importing Audio
      2. 2.2. Using Sound in a Project
        1. 2.2.1. Adding a sound from the document library
        2. 2.2.2. Synching sound
        3. 2.2.3. Adding sound effects
      3. 2.3. Adding Sound to Buttons
      4. 2.4. Using the Flash Sounds Library
      5. 2.5. Use ActionScript to Load an External Sound File
      6. 2.6. Using ActionScript to Load a Soundtrack
    3. 3. Editing Sound Files
      1. 3.1. Optimizing Sound for Your Project
      2. 3.2. Editing Your Sound Files
        1. 3.2.1. Editing sound in Flash
        2. 3.2.2. Editing in an external editor
  11. VI. Working with Flash Video
    1. 1. Playing Video with Flash: The Producer's Chair
      1. 1.1. What Is Web Video?
      2. 1.2. Embedded Video in Flash: Old School
        1. 1.2.1. Converting a video file for use in Flash
        2. 1.2.2. Embedding the video in a Flash file
      3. 1.3. Progressive Downloading: Almost Streaming from a Web Server
        1. 1.3.1. Understanding progressive downloading
        2. 1.3.2. Creating a progressive download
          1. 1.3.2.1. Preparing the folder and files
          2. 1.3.2.2. Importing and customizing your video
          3. 1.3.2.3. Resizing the video
          4. 1.3.2.4. Experimenting with the play controls
          5. 1.3.2.5. Storing your files
        3. 1.3.3. Changing videos
        4. 1.3.4. Changing the appearance of the play controls
      4. 1.4. Streaming Video: Leaving the Socket Wide Open
        1. 1.4.1. HTTP and RTMP: A tale of two protocols
        2. 1.4.2. Enter Flash Media Server
    2. 2. From Camera to Desktop: Getting Video Ready for Prime Time
      1. 2.1. Whatcha Gonna Do? Video Camera or Webcam
        1. 2.1.1. Choosing a Webcam
        2. 2.1.2. Choosing a video camera
      2. 2.2. Free Resources for Creating Videos
        1. 2.2.1. Windows Movie Maker
        2. 2.2.2. Adobe Flash Media Live Encoder (Windows)
        3. 2.2.3. Webcam software
        4. 2.2.4. iMovie (Macintosh)
          1. 2.2.4.1. Recording a video
          2. 2.2.4.2. Testing your video
    3. 3. Getting Video Files Ready for Flash
      1. 3.1. Managing Postproduction before Conversion
      2. 3.2. Choosing File Types for Conversion
      3. 3.3. Converting Files with Default Options
      4. 3.4. Customizing Conversions
        1. 3.4.1. Choosing a compression codec
        2. 3.4.2. Managing bandwidth
      5. 3.5. Trimming Your Video: A Little Nip and Tuck
      6. 3.6. Fine-Tuning Your Settings
        1. 3.6.1. Filters
        2. 3.6.2. Format
        3. 3.6.3. Video
          1. 3.6.3.1. Resize Video
          2. 3.6.3.2. Bitrate Settings
          3. 3.6.3.3. Advanced Settings
        4. 3.6.4. Audio
        5. 3.6.5. Others
      7. 3.7. Adding Cue Points
    4. 4. Getting Fancy with Video
      1. 4.1. Making Your Own Video Player
        1. 4.1.1. Understanding the process
        2. 4.1.2. Creating a video player
      2. 4.2. Getting to the Cue Points
        1. 4.2.1. Extracting and displaying cue points
        2. 4.2.2. Working with cue point properties
      3. 4.3. Managing Metadata
      4. 4.4. Putting on a Show with ActionScript Cue Points
      5. 4.5. Captioning a Video
        1. 4.5.1. Using timed text in an XML file
        2. 4.5.2. Launching the captions
    5. 5. Live! From Your Desktop!
      1. 5.1. Understanding Streaming versus Broadcasting
        1. 5.1.1. Streaming media
        2. 5.1.2. Open socket technology
      2. 5.2. Streaming Media with Flash Media Server
        1. 5.2.1. Installing the server
        2. 5.2.2. Connecting to the server
        3. 5.2.3. Configuring your connection
      3. 5.3. Making a Live Audio/Video Receiver
        1. 5.3.1. Making an inventory
        2. 5.3.2. Creating the receiver
          1. 5.3.2.1. Setting up the application
          2. 5.3.2.2. Creating the constructor function
          3. 5.3.2.3. Adding the worker methods
          4. 5.3.2.4. Catching the connection and metadata
          5. 5.3.2.5. Adding the player controls
        3. 5.3.3. Testing the player
      4. 5.4. Creating a Universal Chat Application
        1. 5.4.1. Sending video and audio
          1. 5.4.1.1. Creating the camera object
          2. 5.4.1.2. Changing basic camera settings
            1. 5.4.1.2.1. Mode
            2. 5.4.1.2.2. Quality
            3. 5.4.1.2.3. Keyframe interval
        2. 5.4.2. Making the server-side application
        3. 5.4.3. Creating the chat application
        4. 5.4.4. Testing the application
    6. 6. Shooting a Video That Looks Good on the Web
      1. 6.1. Getting It Right in the Camera
      2. 6.2. Panning, Zooming, and Other Delights
        1. 6.2.1. To zoom or not to zoom?
        2. 6.2.2. Panning smoothly and at the right speed
        3. 6.2.3. Using a tripod
      3. 6.3. Composing a Scene
      4. 6.4. Lights, Camera, Action!
        1. 6.4.1. Being a director
        2. 6.4.2. Telling a story
        3. 6.4.3. Conducting an interview
      5. 6.5. Editing DV for the Web
        1. 6.5.1. The cutting-room floor
        2. 6.5.2. Transitions, transitions
        3. 6.5.3. Beginning and ending credits
        4. 6.5.4. Rendering for the Web
  12. VII. Getting Interactive
    1. 1. Adding Buttons to a Flash Project
      1. 1.1. Creating Buttons
        1. 1.1.1. Creating a multistate button
        2. 1.1.2. Creating an invisible button
        3. 1.1.3. Creating an animated button
        4. 1.1.4. Creating a navigation menu with buttons
      2. 1.2. Using the Button Library
      3. 1.3. Making Buttons Functional with ActionScript
      4. 1.4. Creating the ActionScript Code to Make a Button Interactive
    2. 2. Using Flash Components
      1. 2.1. Working with Flash Components
      2. 2.2. Using the List and Label Components
        1. 2.2.1. Creating a calculator application
        2. 2.2.2. Adding a CHANGE choice
        3. 2.2.3. Extending visible selections without scrolling
      3. 2.3. The Check Box and Radio Button: Making Life Easier for the User
        1. 2.3.1. Reading results
        2. 2.3.2. Creating a swinging shop
          1. 2.3.2.1. Adding the CheckBox components
          2. 2.3.2.2. Adding the RadioButton components
          3. 2.3.2.3. Finishing the application
      4. 2.4. Creating an Interface with Flash Components
        1. 2.4.1. Setting up the components
        2. 2.4.2. Tracking the elements
      5. 2.5. Loading As You Go: Why You'll Love the UILoader
        1. 2.5.1. Graphic versus SWF files
          1. 2.5.1.1. Using graphics in the example application
          2. 2.5.1.2. Converting bitmaps to vector graphics
        2. 2.5.2. What about loading text and XML files?
      6. 2.6. Creating the Bottom Feeder Travel Agency Web Site
        1. 2.6.1. Adding the site's components
        2. 2.6.2. Adding text
        3. 2.6.3. Adding maps
        4. 2.6.4. Finishing the application
    3. 3. The Art and Science of Creating a Flash Application
      1. 3.1. Organizing a Flash Page
        1. 3.1.1. Separating static and dynamic elements
        2. 3.1.2. Laying out the parts
          1. 3.1.2.1. UILoader components
          2. 3.1.2.2. List component
          3. 3.1.2.3. TextArea component
          4. 3.1.2.4. Header TextField
          5. 3.1.2.5. Button components
          6. 3.1.2.6. Text labels
          7. 3.1.2.7. Graphic elements and the grid
        3. 3.1.3. Organizing the layout for ActionScript
          1. 3.1.3.1. Finding the coordinates
          2. 3.1.3.2. Placing the objects on the Stage
      2. 3.2. Styling Code
        1. 3.2.1. Formatting the TextField class with the TextFormat class
        2. 3.2.2. Applying dynamic text style to UI components
          1. 3.2.2.1. Styling the Button components
          2. 3.2.2.2. Adding selections to the List component
          3. 3.2.2.3. Adding text to the TextArea component
    4. 4. Up in the AIR
      1. 4.1. The AIR on Your Desktop
      2. 4.2. Making a Simple AIR Application
        1. 4.2.1. Creating the Flash file
        2. 4.2.2. Creating the ActionScript file
        3. 4.2.3. Publishing the AIR file
        4. 4.2.4. Installing and testing the application
      3. 4.3. Converting Standard Flash Applications to AIR
      4. 4.4. Made for AIR: Using ActionScript Exclusively for AIR
      5. 4.5. Making a Desktop AIR Browser
        1. 4.5.1. Using the File class
        2. 4.5.2. Creating the AIR application
          1. 4.5.2.1. Setting up the AIR file
          2. 4.5.2.2. Entering the ActionScript
          3. 4.5.2.3. Completing the application
        3. 4.5.3. Modifying the AIR application
  13. VIII. Finalizing a Flash Project
    1. 1. Testing and Debugging a Flash Project
      1. 1.1. Testing a Movie
      2. 1.2. Testing a Movie in Another Window
      3. 1.3. Previewing a Movie
      4. 1.4. Debugging a Movie
        1. 1.4.1. Setting breakpoints
        2. 1.4.2. Using the debugger
    2. 2. Fine-Tuning and Optimizing Your Flash Project
      1. 2.1. Using the Movie Explorer
      2. 2.2. Optimizing a Flash Movie
    3. 3. Dealing with Bandwidth
      1. 3.1. Using the Bandwidth Profiler
      2. 3.2. Creating a Preloader
        1. 3.2.1. Adding ActionScript to the preloader
        2. 3.2.2. Displaying the percentage of a file that's been loaded
    4. 4. Publishing Your Flash Project
      1. 4.1. Publishing a Flash File
        1. 4.1.1. Specifying publish settings
          1. 4.1.1.1. Specifying SWF settings
          2. 4.1.1.2. Specifying HTML settings
        2. 4.1.2. Publishing Flash documents in other formats
      2. 4.2. Integrating Flash Movies with HTML Documents

Product information

  • Title: Flash CS4 All-in-One For Dummies®
  • Author(s): Doug Sahlin, William B. Sanders
  • Release date: December 2008
  • Publisher(s): For Dummies
  • ISBN: 9780470385395