Things You'll Need:
- Pen and Paper
- A version of Flash that uses ActionScript 2
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Step 1
Before you get into Flash, you will find it much easier if you design your Timeline using pen and paper. First draw the timeline as you see it.
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Step 2
Include areas on the timeline where events take place, such as the dates. These should be indicated with lines that are perpendicular across the main timeline.
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Step 3
Write a brief description of what takes place at each event. You will be able to include as much or as little information as you want in the program. A brief note is sufficient for now.
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Step 4
Decide on graphics that you will want in your timeline, if any.
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Step 1
The first thing you will do in Flash is to create the main timeline itself. This can be as simple as a line drawn with the line tool, or an image you import. For this example we will use a straight line drawn from left to right across the middle of the stage.
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Step 2
Create your event objects. Event objects are the perpendicular hash marks or lines on the main timeline that indicate where something has happened. You only need to create one for this timeline. Simply draw a vertical line that is large enough to have presence if laid across your main timeline. Do not create it on your timeline.
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Step 3
Convert the event object to a symbol. With the line to represent your event object selected, press "F8" to convert it to a symbol. Give it any name that you can remember, such as "eventObject."
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Step 4
Place your event objects on the timeline. Now that your event object is a symbol you can drag as many instances of it out of the library (press CTRL+L to view the library) and onto the stage as you need. Place as many event objects on the stage as you need for your timeline in the appropriate places.
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Step 5
Create your main text/information area. Use the text tool to draw out a text box on the stage anywhere near your timeline. This is where the information for each eventObject will appear when the user puts their mouse over it. With the empty text field selected in the Properties Inspector for the type of text, make sure the dropdown box is set to "Dynamic Text" and in the field for the instance name, call it "myText."
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Step 1
Select the first eventObject on your timeline. In the Properties Inspector, give it a name like "eventObject1." Select the second eventObject in your timeline and give it a unique name as well such as "eventObject2." Do the same for all of your event objects.
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Step 2
Open the ActionScript panel by pressing "F9" on your keyboard. Make sure the first keyframe in the timeline is selected.
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Step 3
Assumning you named your eventObject as the example, paste in this code:
eventObject1.onRollOver = over1;
eventObject1.onRollOut = out;
function over1(){
myText.text = "Put whatever you want between these quotes";
}
function out(){
myText.text = " "
} -
Step 4
Repeat step3, changing the appropriate parts of the code and the text that appears between the quotes for each eventObject as appropriate. This code will have the text you choose appear whenever someone rolls their mouse pointer over the specific timeline event. When they roll their pointer away, the text will disappear.
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Step 5
If you want to add images to each section, you can do so by either manually placing them on the stage next to each eventObject or by using code to make them appear and disappear onRollOver and onRollOut using the ._alpha feature.
