How to Create a Simple Website Ad Using Flash MX 2004

Attract visitors to your web site with a simple website ad. You don't have to pay ad or service fees. Just design your own ad in Macromedia Flash, and ask web sites in your personal network to post it. Whether you want a simple flashing image or a looping sequence, Flash has all the tools you need.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

Set Up Your Ad

1. Plan your ad. Look at other ads on the web for ideas. Don't rush off with one idea but sketch out several designs and variations. Focus on the banner text and graphic. When you decide on the final idea, sketch out or storyboard the key frames.
   
   

2. Create the ad elements in Flash or another program. Flash will import most graphic formats so you have a wide range of options. At a minimum you should have a background element, a text banner, and a short site description. A graphic element can enhance your ad.

3. Set your document size and playback speed. Choose "Document" from the modify menu. A good size is 500 by 100 pixels. Leave the default speed at 12 frames-per-second.
   

4. Add a layer for each element on the Flash Timeline. You want to keep elements on separate layers to avoid animation problems. Select one layer at a time and import the element you want to place on the layer. The bottom layer should contain the bottom-most object.

Animate Your Ad

5. Convert the elements you want to animate into movie clips. Select the element and choose "Create Symbol" from the Modify Menu (or type "F8"). Make sure to name the clip and choose "Movie Clip" as the symbol type. Your movie clips will show a circle in the center when selected.

6. Set up the movie clips' timelines. Double click on the clip to open the new timeline. Select the number of frames you want to animate and chose "Timeline" then "Frame" from the Insert Menu (F5). A two second animation will be 24 frames at the standard animation.

7. Add keyframes at transition points in the animation. To move an object across the stage you need to add one keyframe at the end of the animation. Select the target frame and choose "Timeline" then "Keyframe" from the Insert Menu (F6).

Create Your Movie File

8. Test your ad and tweak the playback speed with "Test Movie" from the Control Menu. You can change the overall animation speed by changing the frame rate. The higher the setting, the faster the playback.

9. Export your movie to an SWF file. You can find the "Export" command in the File menu.

10. Distribute your ad. Send it to friends to post on their website and ask them to link to yours. Or consider asking non-commercial sites similar to yours. Make sure to link your site to theirs as thanks.

Tips & Warnings

• It's tempting to go with the first ad idea that pops into your head. That may not be the best you can do. The more thought and planning you put into it, the better your ad will look. Try to develop at least four different ideas and ask friends which works best for them. If you know a designer, ask for input.
• Don't add a lot of type. Limit your add to the banner for your site name and a few words describing your site. Viewers should process a web ads in an instant.
• If you import clip art or stock images, make sure you have permission or paid usage fees. You can't use copyrighted materials just because you're posting to the web.
• Make sure your symbol type is "Movie Clip." The other symbol types don't play independently of the main movie timeline.