PowerPoint Tools for using Macromedia Flash

PowerPoint Tools for using Macromedia Flash

The flash toolbar is designed to make it simple to insert movies, change movie settings and to avoid common problems that often occur when presenting flash movies. For example, movies not starting from the beginning. To correct this, the toolbar automatically checks and rewinds all flash movies during a presentation.

In addition, this software has been digitally signed (with a third party commercial signature) to ensure that it is spyware and virus-free, and can also be used with the Microsoft Office security setting set at maximum. This tool is compatible with Windows running PowerPoint: 2000, XP, 2003 and 2007.

ntroducing Macromedia Flash 8
Tutorial 1Introducing Macromedia Flash 8

2 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
ObjectivesDiscover the types of Web media you can create using FlashCompare vector graphics and bitmap graphicsStart Flash and explore its main program window elementsDisplay grid lines, guides, and rulersNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

3 Objectives (continued)
Set a document’s propertiesLearn about strokes, fills, and colorsSelect and modify objectsUse Flash HelpNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

4 What is Macromedia Flash 8?
Program developed by Macromedia, Inc.Originally use: making fast-loading Web animationsHas evolved into a full Web site production toolInteractive media created with FlashAnimated logosWeb site navigational controlsEntire Web sitesNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

5 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Types of Web MediaWeb pages communicate using various mediaTypes: text, graphics, animations, sounds, videosHTML: used to integrate media into Web pagesNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

6 Bitmap and Vector Graphics
Pixel: smallest element making up a pictureBitmap graphic: matrix of colored pixelsExamples: files with .jpg and .gif extensionsVector graphics are specified with formulasImage shapes are defined by color, outline, and positionImages are resolution independent and scale wellImages created in Flash are in the vector formatBitmap files may be imported into FlashNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

7 Bitmap Graphic Compared to Vector Graphic
Figure 1-1New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

8 Bitmap and Vector Animation
Animation: virtual motion due to sequencing stillsBitmap animationPuts bitmap still images into motion for Web viewingImplemented using a sequence of bitmap framesHigh overhead involved in changing screen colorsVector animationConsists of a listing of shapes and their transformationsProduced with less overhead and resolution independenceNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

9 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Web Media in FlashDocuments: Web media created in FlashInclude static images as well as animationsDocuments must be referenced in an HTML fileTypes of Flash documentsFLA (.fla) file: used to author Flash contentSWF (.swf) file: viewed by end-user in a Web browserSWF files require a Flash Player plug-inActionScript: code used to enhance interactivityNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

10 Flash Player Plug-in Context Menu
Figure 1-2New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

11 Viewing Examples of Flash Documents
Admiral Web Design Web site: showcase for FlashObjective: view animations at showcase Web siteMake sure Flash Player plug-in is installedVideo stream plays while file is downloadedNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

12 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Sample Flash GraphicsNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

13 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Starting FlashTwo ways to start FlashClick Start  All Programs  Macromedia  Macromedia Flash 8Double-click Flash program icon (if on desktop)Actions you can perform from the Start pageOpen recently used files or create a new documentTake a quick tour of FlashFlash program window has various componentsNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

14 Main Components Of The Flash Program Window
Figure 1-4New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

15 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Previewing DocumentsPreview Flash document to review changes madeSeveral ways to preview your document in FlashPreview or play animation within Flash program windowPublish file to play in a separate Flash Player windowPublish file to play in your default Web browserNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

16 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Simplekite DocumentFigure 1-6New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

17 Simplekite Document Playing In Flash Player Window
Figure 1-7New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

18 Flash Program Window Elements
StageSite for creating, importing, assembling graphic objectsWork AreaGray area surrounding the stageTimelineControls and coordinates frames and layers in documentFrame: container representing a unit of timePlayhead: marker indicating currently selected frameLayers: organize images, animations, and other objectsNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

19 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Flash TimelineNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

20 Flash Program Window Elements (continued)
Tools panelProvides tools for manipulating Flash graphicsOperations: draw, paint, select, modify graphicsFour areas: Tools, View, Colors, OptionsNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

21 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Tools Panel ToolsFigure 1-11New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

22 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
PanelsActions performed with controls in Flash panelsViewing properties of objectsChanging the properties of objectsPanel set: several panels grouped togetherFigure 1-15New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

23 Panels In Their Default Layout
New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

24 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Organizing PanelsUsing the panel title barView panel name on the title barOptions menu control is located on right side of title barExpand or collapse panel by clicking title barRight click title bar and use Group With to create a groupMoving a panelPosition pointer on left edge of the title barEnsure that pointer changes to crossed double arrowsDrag title bar to new locationNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

25 The Property Inspector
Panel located at the bottom of the Flash program windowProvides easy access to common object attributesAdapting Property inspector to an itemSimply select a tool or other graphical objectAttributes of currently selected tool or object are reflectedFigure 1-19New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

26 Property Inspector with an Object Selected
New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

27 Changing the View of the Stage
Zoom tool: used to enlarge or reduce Stage sizeUsing active Zoom tool against the StageClick a part of the Stage to enlarge or reduce itAlternative: use rectangular selection marqueeSome commands on the View menuZoom In or Zoom Out commandsMagnification commandHand tool: moves Stage without magnification changeNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

28 Displaying the Grid, Rulers, and Guides
Appears as a set of lines on the Stage behind all objectsGrid lines do not become part of your documentRulersVertically displayed on left edge of Stage windowHorizontally displayed on the top edge of Stage WindowGuideLine used in conjunction with rulers to align objectsCan be moved to a specific part of the StageNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

29 Grid Displayed on the Stage
Figure 1-26New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

30 Changing the Document Properties
Properties common to all Flash documentsTitle, Description, Stage size, background color, frame rateDocument Properties dialog boxUsed to change a document’s propertiesOpening the Document Properties dialog boxClick Modify on the menu barNext click DocumentChanges in Document Properties reflect on StageFigure 1-28New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

31 Document Properties Dialog Box
New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

32 Working with Objects in Flash Strokes and Fills
Drawing and painting toolsLine, Pen, Pencil, Oval, Rectangle, and BrushPlaces where colors may be selectedTools panel, Property inspector, Color Mixer panelStrokes: lines that you drawFills: areas you paint with colorFigure 1-30New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

33 Sample Shapes with Fills and Strokes
New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

34 Drawing and Grouping Objects
Merge Drawing modelObjects in a layer occupy the same planeObject laid over another merges with or segments otherObject Drawing modelShapes drawn on a layer are independentActivated by clicking Object Drawing in Tools panelPreventing objects from impacting each otherGroup objects together or place objects in separate layersNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

35 How Objects Interact with Each Other
Figure 1-31New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

36 Color Controls and the Color Mixer
Strokes and fills can be drawn with different colorsSelect color swatch using the eyedropper toolSwatch: color square in the color palette216 Web-safe colors based on RGB (red, green, blue)Two types of gradient: linear and radialPlaces where colors may be selectedColors are of Tools panel, Property inspector, Color MixerFigure 1-34New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

37 Color Palette For The Fill Color Control
New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

38 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Selecting ObjectsSelection toolUsed to select strokes or fillsCan also be used to select groups of objectsFeatures of the Selection toolSnap to Objects, Smooth, and Straighten modifiersFigure 1-37New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

39 Selection Tool Modifiers
New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

40 Selecting Objects (continued)
Anchor points: reference points on strokes, outlinesSubselection tool reveals anchor pointsApplying the Subselection tool to an objectSelect Subselection tool in Tools panelClick a stroke or outline of a fillCreating tangent handles near an anchor pointClick an anchor point on a curved lineNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

41 Changing a Curve’s Anchor Point
Figure 1-40New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

42 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Lasso ToolTwo ways to use the Lasso toolSelect several objects at one timeSelect an irregularly shaped area of an objectDraw a free-form selection marquee around the areaTasks performed on a lassoed objectMove the selectionApply other effects; e.g., change color of selected fillsNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

43 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Getting Help in FlashFlash Help system is a great resourceTwo ways to access Flash Help systemClick Help  Flash HelpClick Help on a panel’s option menuFlash Help displays in two-panel windowFigure 1-45New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8

44 New Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8
Help PanelNew Perspectives on Macromedia Flash 8