How to Create & Learn Flash
Create web-based animations and applications using Adobe Flash Professional. Flash is used to create online cartoons, web portfolios and informational sites. In order to use Flash, you'll need to utilize both graphics and programming skills. If you want to create your own Flash animations, you can learn the program both from home and in a classroom. With your new Flash skills, gain a career in web design or use these skills as a hobby.
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Instructions
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Purchase and install the latest version of Adobe Flash Professional. New versions come out every few years. Although each version has new features and an improved interface, the basics of how to use the program remains the same. Visit the Adobe website to purchase the software. You can find a link to the website in the "Resources" section at the end of this article.
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Visit the official Adobe Developer Connection to learn the ins and outs of creating animations using Flash. Use this website to get a beginner's look at how to use the software. As you learn more about Flash, you can also learn about ActionScript programming code, components and graphic effects. The Developer Connection features tutorials for many previous versions of Adobe Professional in addition to the most recent release. Look for a link to the Adobe Developer Connection in the Resources section at the bottom of this article.
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Attend classes to learn about creating animations in Flash from an experienced teacher. Some cities provide community education classes for learning how to use Flash. Universities also offer classes in Flash animation. The HTML Writers Guild offers beginners and intermediate online courses in Flash animation and web design. In these courses, you will not only learn how to use Flash, but you will create your own animations for graded projects.
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Read books that show tutorials for using Flash Professional. Look for books that walk you through each step of creating your own animation. Follow along with the book and perform each step listed in your own Flash program. You'll both learn Flash and create your own animation at the same time. Purchase books such as "Flash CS4 Professional Digital Classroom" by Fred Gerantabee or "Teach Yourself Adobe Flash CS3 Professional in 24 Hours" by Phillip Kerman.
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Try out your skills by creating Flash animations on your own. Now that you have learned the basics of using the software and creating web applications and animations, you should be able to create simple animations without outside help. A recent study performed by Purdue University found that students learn technology subjects easier if they take a hands-on approach. As you practice what you've learned, it will help you remember the concepts of working with Flash and increase your skills.
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Tips & Warnings
Adobe Flash Professional is used to create Flash animations. Adobe Flash Player is a free software that is used only to view animations and not to create them.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit computer image by michele goglio from Fotolia.com
