MACROMEDIA FLASH 8-FLASH Specifications Page 1

Flash Tutorials

10 Contents

100 Basic Tasks: Create an ApplicationAdd and name a Button componentComponents are movie clips that offer an easy way of adding advanced functionalit

Declare variables and values for the prices 101Declare variables and values for the pricesFor your application to multiply the quantity of parts selec

102 Basic Tasks: Create an ApplicationSpecify values for input text fieldsYou must specify values for the input text fields. You’ll use the values whe

Write a function 103Write a functionA function is a script that you can use repeatedly to perform a specific task. You can pass parameters to a functi

104 Basic Tasks: Create an ApplicationWrite an event handler for the componentFor your SWF file to react to events such as a mouse click, you can use

Summary 105When you finish, your script should appear as follows:on(click) { with(_parent){priceTotal_txt.text = Number (price1_txt.text) + Number (pr

106 Basic Tasks: Create an Application

1078CHAPTER 8Basic Tasks: Use Layout ToolsMacromedia Flash Basic 8 and Macromedia Flash Professional 8 offer a variety of ways to place objects on the

108 Basic Tasks: Use Layout ToolsSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to use an optimal lay

Change the Stage size 1094. Ensure that you have Snap to Guides turned on by selecting View > Snapping > Snap to Guides.5. In the Tools panel, c

11IntroductionThis part of Flash Help includes several step-by-step tutorials, designed to teach you the fundamentals of Flash. Macromedia recommends

110 Basic Tasks: Use Layout ToolsResize objects to match the Stage sizeWhen you changed the Stage size, art on the Stage extended off the Stage and in

Align an object using the alignment guides 111Specify snap alignment settingsSnapping offers a way of precisely placing an object on the Stage by havi

112 Basic Tasks: Use Layout Tools5. While keeping the car centered with the body text (you should continue to see the center alignment guide), drag th

Snap objects to each other 113Snap objects to each otherYou can snap objects on the Stage to other objects on the Stage, thereby setting the alignment

114 Basic Tasks: Use Layout ToolsAlign objects using the Property inspectorThe Property inspector lets you precisely align objects on the x and y Stag

Summary 115Align objects using the grid and arrow keysYou can use the grid to assist you in placing objects on the Stage.1. Select View > Grid >

116 Basic Tasks: Use Layout Tools

1179CHAPTER 9Basic Tasks: Create Symbols and InstancesA symbol is a reusable object, and an instance is an occurrence of a symbol on the Stage. Repeat

118 Basic Tasks: Create Symbols and InstancesSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to use an

Create a graphic symbol 119Create a graphic symbolA graphic symbol is well suited for repeated use of static images, or for creating animations associ

12 Introduction

120 Basic Tasks: Create Symbols and InstancesDuplicate and modify an instance of a symbolAfter you’ve created a symbol, you can use instances of it re

Modify a symbol 121Modify a symbolYou can enter symbol-editing mode by double-clicking any instance of a symbol. Changes that you make in symbol-editi

122 Basic Tasks: Create Symbols and InstancesCreate a movie clip symbolA movie clip symbol is analogous in many ways to a document within a document.

Summary 123Add an effect to the movie clipYou can create an animation within a movie clip Timeline, in symbol-editing mode, that plays independent of

124 Basic Tasks: Create Symbols and Instances

12510CHAPTER 10Basic Tasks: Add Button Animation and Navigation A button is a symbol that contains special frames for different button states, such as

126 Basic Tasks: Add Button Animation and NavigationSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to

Name a button instance 127Create a button from grouped objectsYou can create buttons from text and graphics, including bitmap images and grouped objec

128 Basic Tasks: Add Button Animation and NavigationView the hit area by enabling buttonsWhen the Enable Simple Buttons feature is active, you can vie

Align buttons 1293. Select the Hit frame (Frame 4) of the Hit Area layer in the BTNLogo Timeline, and press F6 to add a keyframe.4. In the Tools panel

131CHAPTER 1Basic Tasks: Create a DocumentYou’re about to experience the power of Macromedia Flash Basic 8 and Macromedia Flash Professional 8. You’ll

130 Basic Tasks: Add Button Animation and Navigation7. Using the Selection tool, drag to select all three buttons. 8. Open the Align panel by selectin

Add an action to a button 1317. With the playhead still on Frame 15, select the button shape on the Stage, and in the Property inspector select a brig

132 Basic Tasks: Add Button Animation and NavigationAdd navigation to a buttonWith behaviors, you can quickly add navigation to a button without havin

Summary 133Test the SWF fileYou’ll test your document to view the button animation and see if the navigation works as expected.1. Save your document a

134 Basic Tasks: Add Button Animation and Navigation

13511CHAPTER 11Basic Tasks: Create a Presentation with Screens (Flash Professional Only)Flash Professional 8 offers a new way to create presentations

136 Basic Tasks: Create a Presentation with Screens (Flash Professional Only)Set up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and

View the screen hierarchy and screen Timelines 137View the screen hierarchy and screen TimelinesYou add content to screens in much the same way that y

138 Basic Tasks: Create a Presentation with Screens (Flash Professional Only)2. In the Screen Outline pane, select the presentation screen. All slide

Add content to a presentation slide 139Add content to a presentation slideYou’ll add navigation buttons to the presentation slide so that the buttons

14 Basic Tasks: Create a DocumentTake a tour of the user interfaceFirst, you’ll open the starting FLA file that you’ll use to complete this lesson. Ea

140 Basic Tasks: Create a Presentation with Screens (Flash Professional Only)Add screen navigation behaviors to buttonsWhen you open a new Flash Slide

Select and move slides 141Add and name a slideYou can easily add slides to your presentation using the context menu in the Screen Outline pane.1. In t

142 Basic Tasks: Create a Presentation with Screens (Flash Professional Only)Add content to a new slideThe features slide, as a child of the presentat

Summary 1434. To add the Fly behavior, verify that the features slide is still selected. In the Behaviors panel, click Add (+) and select Screen >

144 Basic Tasks: Create a Presentation with Screens (Flash Professional Only)

14512CHAPTER 12Creating Graphics: Draw in FlashWhen you draw in Flash, you create vector art, which is a mathematical representation of lines, curves,

146 Creating Graphics: Draw in FlashSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to use an optimal

Draw a polygon 1473. Click anywhere in the gray workspace beside the Stage to display properties for the shape you’ll create. In the Property inspecto

148 Creating Graphics: Draw in FlashRotate the shapeAfter you’ve created a shape, you can use the Transform panel to specify a precise number of degre

Copy strokes 1493. In the Tools panel, click the Selection tool. On the Stage, click within the circle, and press Backspace or Delete.Transform the sh

Take a tour of the user interface 15Select panel sets and arrange panelsThe Default Workspace Layout panel set arranges your workspace in a way that f

150 Creating Graphics: Draw in Flash3. Press Shift+Alt and drag down slightly to drag a copy of the three lines, as in the following illustration:Draw

Create a logo with the Pen tool 151Group the shapeYou can manipulate the stroke and fill of a shape as separate entities, as you did earlier, or you c

152 Creating Graphics: Draw in Flash5. With the Selection tool, move the pointer around the logo that you created. When you move the pointer over a co

15313CHAPTER 13Creating Graphics: Create a Timeline AnimationMacromedia Flash Basic 8 and Macromedia Flash Professional 8 provide powerful tools for c

154 Creating Graphics: Create a Timeline AnimationSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to u

Create a motion tween 155Create a motion tweenYou create a motion tween by defining properties for an instance, a grouped object, or text in a startin

156 Creating Graphics: Create a Timeline Animation7. In the TireAnim layer, select any frame between Frames 2 and 14. In the Property inspector, selec

Copy and paste keyframes in an animation 1575. If the Color Mixer is not already open, select Window > Color Mixer to open it, and change the Alpha

158 Creating Graphics: Create a Timeline Animation4. Select the transformation center point (the small circle near the center of the movie clip) and d

Change the speed of the animation 159Change the frames per second speedThe frame rate, measured in frames per second (fps) is the speed at which the a

16 Basic Tasks: Create a DocumentUndo changesFlash can undo a series of changes to your document. You’ll undo the artwork that you just created.1. To

160 Creating Graphics: Create a Timeline AnimationTest the SWF fileYou’ll test your document to view the animation and see if it works as expected.1.

16114CHAPTER 14Creating Graphics: Making Animations with Easing (Flash Professional only)This tutorial guides you through the process of using the tw

162 Creating Graphics: Making Animations with Easing (Flash Professional only)In this tutorial, you will complete the following tasks:Examine the comp

Examine the completed FLA file 163Examine the completed FLA fileAs you examine the finished version of the application you’ll create, you will also lo

164 Creating Graphics: Making Animations with Easing (Flash Professional only)Review the completed FLA fileIn the completed FLA file, you will see a g

Open the starter document 165See the animation play in a separate window as a SWF fileTo see the animation play in a separate window as a SWF file, se

166 Creating Graphics: Making Animations with Easing (Flash Professional only)Add the necessary frames to the TimelineTo add the necessary frames to t

Open the starter document 1673. On the Stage, press Shift and drag the eight ball downward until the bottom of the eight ball is in the middle of the

168 Creating Graphics: Making Animations with Easing (Flash Professional only)6. In the Timeline, drag the playhead from Frame 1 to Frame 61. You will

Open the starter document 169Ease out the eight-ball animation1. In the Timeline, select the entire Ball layer by clicking the layer name.2. In the Pr

Change background and Stage size 17The playhead (the red indicator line) is on Frame 1 in the Timeline. The keyframes are designated by small circles

170 Creating Graphics: Making Animations with Easing (Flash Professional only)The Custom Ease In / Ease Out dialog box displays a graph representing t

Open the starter document 1714. Drag the line to the top of the graph (the 100% line) while keeping it at Frame 20 on the horizontal axis. The line is

172 Creating Graphics: Making Animations with Easing (Flash Professional only)6. Control-click (Windows) or Command-click (Macintosh) the flat part of

Open the starter document 1739. Drag the vertex handles for the new control point onto the control point.10. Control-click (Windows) or Command-click

174 Creating Graphics: Making Animations with Easing (Flash Professional only)Create a motion tween with an alpha settingIn this section, you will cre

Open the starter document 1758. In the Timeline, click the layer named Ball to select the frames in that layer.9. In the Property inspector, click Edi

176 Creating Graphics: Making Animations with Easing (Flash Professional only)Test the applicationAt any point during authoring, you can test how your

17715CHAPTER 15Creating Graphics: Applying GradientsThis tutorial guides you through the process of using the gradient tools in Macromedia Flash Basic

178 Creating Graphics: Applying GradientsAfter examining the completed illustration, you’ll begin by opening a starter Flash document and end by publi

Examine the completed FLA file 179Examine the completed FLA fileAs you examine the finished version of an application you’ll create, you will also loo

18 Basic Tasks: Create a DocumentChange your view of the StageYou can change your view of the Stage without affecting the actual Stage size of your do

180 Creating Graphics: Applying GradientsReview the completed FLA fileIn the completed FLA file, you will see the combined effects of several gradient

Apply a linear gradient 181Close the completed FLA fileTo close the document, select File > Close.If you prefer to keep the finished file open as a

182 Creating Graphics: Applying Gradients5. Double-click the right gradient color swatch and select the color green (#006600).Selecting the right grad

Create a radial gradient 1838. Drag the Gradient Rotate handle to rotate the linear gradient clockwise as shown.The Gradient Rotate handleRotating the

184 Creating Graphics: Applying Gradients3. In the Color Mixer panel select Radial from the Type pop-up menu. Select Mirror Overflow mode from the Ove

Create a radial gradient 1859. Rotate the radial gradient 90º clockwise by dragging the Gradient Rotate handle.Dragging to rotate the gradient 90º clo

186 Creating Graphics: Applying GradientsCreate a transform gradient with a shapeIn this section, you will create a gradient and then use the Free Tra

Apply the finishing touches 18712. Select the Selection tool from the Tools panel.13. Drag the shadow shape under the eight ball with the Selection to

188 Creating Graphics: Applying Gradients12. Set the Alpha value for the black color swatch to 100%.Your gradient settings should match those in the f

Apply the finishing touches 1893. Select the highlight shape.4. In the Color Mixer, select Linear from the Type menu.5. Select Non-repeating from the

Add video 19Add graphics to the StageTo add library items to your document, you verify that you’re adding the object to the correct layer, and then dr

190 Creating Graphics: Applying Gradients14. Drag the Gradient Scale control downward until it touches the top of the highlight shape.The Gradient Sca

Test the application 191Test the applicationAt any point during authoring, you can test how your application plays as a SWF file. Because this tutoria

192 Creating Graphics: Applying Gradients

19316CHAPTER 16Creating Graphics: Apply Graphic Filters and Blends (Flash Professional Only)This tutorial guides you through the process of creating

194 Creating Graphics: Apply Graphic Filters and Blends (Flash Professional Only)Review your taskIn this tutorial, you will add some graphics to the S

Apply filters and blends 195Open the starter documentNow that you have seen the document you will create, it is time to create your own version of the

196 Creating Graphics: Apply Graphic Filters and Blends (Flash Professional Only)4. Drag the 9ball outlines movie clip from the Library panel onto the

Apply filters and blends 197Apply filters and blends to the cue ballThe last step is to use a color effect and a filter to make the cue ball appear to

198 Creating Graphics: Apply Graphic Filters and Blends (Flash Professional Only)

19917CHAPTER 17Text: Add Text to a DocumentMacromedia Flash Basic 8 and Macromedia Flash Professional 8 provide a variety of text features and options

Trademarks1 Step RoboPDF, ActiveEdit, ActiveTest, Authorware, Blue Sky Software, Blue Sky, Breeze, Breezo, Captivate, Central, ColdFusion, Contribute,

20 Basic Tasks: Create a DocumentView object propertiesWhen you add an object to the Stage, you can select it, and then view and change its properties

200 Text: Add Text to a DocumentCreate a dynamic text field. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205Specify format options

Create an expanding-width text block 201Create an expanding-width text blockYou can define the size of a text block, or you can use a text block that

202 Text: Add Text to a DocumentCreate a fixed-width text block In addition to creating a line of text that expands as you type, you can create a text

Add an input text field 2033. In the Tools panel, click the Selection tool. Use the Property inspector to select the bold style. 4. Click the text Fil

204 Text: Add Text to a Document4. In the text Property inspector, set the following options: Select Input Text in the Text Type pop-up menu Select

Create a dynamic text field 205Assign instance names to text fieldsAn input text field on the Stage is an instance of the ActionScript TextField objec

206 Text: Add Text to a Document4. On the Stage, drag to create a text field in the area between the two horizontal rules.5. In the Instance Name text

Test the SWF file 207View ActionScript for the dynamic text fieldYou can view the ActionScript that loads text from the external text file into the dy

208 Text: Add Text to a DocumentCheck spellingFlash Basic 8 and Flash Professional 8 introduce new features that let you check spelling in most places

20918CHAPTER 18ActionScript: Use Script Assist modeThis tutorial guides you through using Script Assist mode in Macromedia Flash Basic 8 and Macromedi

Add video control behaviors 213. In the Play Video dialog box, verify that Relative is selected. Select video, which is the instance name that you gav

210 ActionScript: Use Script Assist modeIn this tutorial, you will complete the following tasks:Examine the completed FLA file. . . . . . . . . . . .

Examine the completed FLA file 211Examine the completed FLA fileAs you examine the finished version of an application that you’ll create, you’ll also

212 ActionScript: Use Script Assist modeReview the completed FLA fileIn the completed FLA file, you will see all the objects (buttons, movie clips, an

Add a script to a button by using Script Assist mode 213Open the starter documentNow that you have seen the completed file, it is time to create your

214 ActionScript: Use Script Assist mode4. In the Actions panel, you’ll see the Script Assist button above the ActionScript editor. Click Script Assis

Add a script to a button by using Script Assist mode 2156. From the Movie Clip Control option, select the on event handler.Script Assist mode prompts

216 ActionScript: Use Script Assist mode7. Click Add again and then select the goto() function from the Global Functions > Timeline Control option.

Add a script to a button by using Script Assist mode 21710. In the Frame text box, enter home. Modifying function parameters to complete the scriptThe

218 ActionScript: Use Script Assist modeAdd frame scripts to the Timeline by using Script Assist modeRather than adding scripts to individual objects,

Add frame scripts to the Timeline by using Script Assist mode 2195. Click the Insert a Target Path button to display the Insert Target Path dialog box

22 Basic Tasks: Create a DocumentUse the Movie Explorer to view the document structureThe Movie Explorer helps you arrange, locate, and edit media. Wi

220 ActionScript: Use Script Assist modeYou now need to add the goto() function, the action that occurs when the About button is clicked. 1. Using the

Add a frame script to the Title movie clip 221Add a frame script to the Title movie clipThe final step is to add a script to the last frame of the Tit

222 ActionScript: Use Script Assist mode5. Next, using either the Actions toolbox or the Add button, select ActionScript 2.0 Classes > Movie > M

Summary 223Test the applicationAt any point during authoring, you can test how your application plays as a SWF file. Now that you’ve added scripts to

224 ActionScript: Use Script Assist mode

22519CHAPTER 19ActionScript: Write Scripts The ActionScript language that is part of Macromedia Flash Basic 8 and Macromedia Flash Professional 8 offe

226 ActionScript: Write ScriptsSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to use an optimal layou

Create an instance of a symbol 2273. From the Library panel (Window > Library), drag map_skewed to the black background area of the Stage.Because g

228 ActionScript: Write ScriptsName button instancesUsing the appropriate suffix to prompt code hinting, you’ll provide instance names for two button

Apply ActionScript syntax 2294. Click in the Script pane, at the end of the screen_mc text, and type a period (.). 5. When you type the period, code h

Summary 23Test the documentAs you author a document, you should save and test it frequently to ensure the Flash content plays as expected. When you te

230 ActionScript: Write ScriptsLocate ActionScript reference documentationDuring authoring, if you’d like additional information about the ActionScrip

Write a function for a button 231Write a function for a buttonA command in ActionScript is called a function. A function is a script that you can writ

232 ActionScript: Write ScriptsCopy and modify a button functionYou just created one function that sets the visible property of a movie clip to true w

Check syntax and test your application 233Check syntax and test your applicationAs you learned earlier in this lesson, ActionScript depends on correct

234 ActionScript: Write ScriptsSummaryCongratulations on learning a few basics about writing scripts with ActionScript. In a short amount of time, you

23520CHAPTER 20ActionScript: Add InteractivityMacromedia Flash Basic 8 and Macromedia Flash Professional 8 offer numerous ways to engage users with in

236 ActionScript: Add InteractivitySet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to use an optimal l

Add a scene 237Name button instancesYou’ll provide instance names for the buttons on the Stage so that you can refer to the instance names in ActionSc

238 ActionScript: Add Interactivity3. Use the Property inspector to give the Animation movie clip an instance name of animation_mc. 4. Rename Layer 1

Add navigation to return to Scene 1 239Link a button to a sceneNow that the playhead stops at Frame 1, you’ll add ActionScript that takes the user to

24 Basic Tasks: Create a Document View object properties Add video control behaviors Use the Movie Explorer to view the document structure Tes t

240 ActionScript: Add InteractivityPlay a movie clipYou can configure your document to play a movie clip at runtime. Using the attachMovie() method, y

Play a movie clip 241Next, you’ll specify what the function does: it plays the movie clip on the root Timeline, which is the main timeline. In your sc

242 ActionScript: Add InteractivityUnload the movie clipAfter the movie clip plays, you need a way to remove the movie clip from the Stage when the us

Test your document 243Use a behavior to play an MP3 fileWhen you want to add interactivity to your document with ActionScript, you can often rely on b

244 ActionScript: Add InteractivitySummaryCongratulations on learning how to create an interactive document. In a few minutes, you learned how to acco

24521CHAPTER 21ActionScript: Create a Form with Conditional Logic and Send DataYou can create a form with conditional logic that allows the SWF file t

246 ActionScript: Create a Form with Conditional Logic and Send DataSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up y

Add a Submit button to the form 2473. In the Property inspector, do the following to set text attributes: Select Input Text from the Text Type pop-up

248 ActionScript: Create a Form with Conditional Logic and Send DataAdd an error messageYou’ll add a message to display if the user clicks the Submit

Add a stop() action 249Add a confirmation messageNext, you’ll add a message to display when the user submits an entry in the text field.1. In the Dial

252CHAPTER 2Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 1Macromedia Flash Basic 8 or Macromedia Flash Professional 8 can seem like a very complex programs to

250 ActionScript: Create a Form with Conditional Logic and Send Data4. Click in the Script pane of the Actions panel, and type the following comment:

Add conditional logic for the Submit button 251Add conditional logic for the Submit buttonWith ActionScript, you can have Flash compare information an

252 ActionScript: Create a Form with Conditional Logic and Send Data11. Type gotoAndStop("confirm") in the Script pane. Press Enter or Retur

Test your SWF file 253Write a function for the Try Again buttonA function is a script that you can use repeatedly to perform a specific task. You can

254 ActionScript: Create a Form with Conditional Logic and Send DataSummaryCongratulations on learning how to write a script with conditional logic an

25522CHAPTER 22ActionScript: Work with Objects and Classes Classes are the blueprint for objects in Macromedia Flash Basic 8 and Macromedia Flash Prof

256 ActionScript: Work with Objects and ClassesSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll view the finished files and set up your workspace to use an optimal

Create an object from a class 257Create an object from a classYou’ll create an existing class using visual tools (the TextField class) and code (using

258 ActionScript: Work with Objects and ClassesModify your scriptYou’ll modify your script to compensate for the zero indexing.1. Add +1 to the value

Create a custom class 259Create a custom classAlthough ActionScript includes many classes of objects, such as the MovieClip class and the Color class,

26 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 1In Part 1 of this tutorial, you will complete the following tasks:Examine the completed FLA file. . . . . . .

260 ActionScript: Work with Objects and ClassesTo create objects from this class, you could now use the following code:var cliplessPedal:Product=new P

Create a custom class 261Build a custom classYou’ll now build a new Product class with getter and setter methods and create an object from the Product

262 ActionScript: Work with Objects and Classesfunction Product (id:Number, prodName:String, description:String) {setID(id);setProdName(prodName);setD

Learn about extending existing classes 2633. In the Actions panel, create two objects from the Product class using the data shown in the following tab

264 ActionScript: Work with Objects and ClassesThe Drag class now inherits all properties and methods from the existing MovieClip class, and you can u

Extend the MovieClip class to create a new class 2654. In the Name text box, enter myShape.5. In the AS 2.0 Class text box, enter Drag. Click OK. This

266 ActionScript: Work with Objects and Classes11. Test the Shape.fla file. You should be able to drag the movie clip. SummaryCongratulations on learn

26723CHAPTER 23Data Integration: Overview (Flash Professional Only)The following tutorials illustrate several ways to use data binding and the data co

268 Data Integration: Overview (Flash Professional Only)

26924CHAPTER 24Data Integration: Using the Macromedia Tips Web Service (Flash Professional Only)In this tutorial, you use the Web Services panel to co

Examine the completed FLA file 27Examine the completed FLA fileAs you examine the finished version of an application that you’ll create, you’ll also l

270 Data Integration: Using the Macromedia Tips Web Service (Flash Professional Only)Connect to a public web serviceDefine a web service in Flash that

Connect to a public web service 271The web service has one method, called getTipByProduct(). This method accepts a single parameter called product. Th

272 Data Integration: Using the Macromedia Tips Web Service (Flash Professional Only)Create a user interface and bind the components with the web serv

Create a user interface and bind the components with the web service 2736. Drag another Label component above the tip_ta TextArea component. In the Pr

274 Data Integration: Using the Macromedia Tips Web Service (Flash Professional Only)8. In the Component inspector, double-click the empty value in th

Create a user interface and bind the components with the web service 2759. In the Component inspector, click Add Binding (+) again. In the Add Binding

276 Data Integration: Using the Macromedia Tips Web Service (Flash Professional Only)13. Test the application (Control > Test Movie). Select Flash

27725CHAPTER 25Data Integration: Using XML for a Timesheet (Flash Professional Only)This tutorial shows you how to create an application for editing t

278 Data Integration: Using XML for a Timesheet (Flash Professional Only)For this tutorial, you will need to the data.xml file provided in the Tutoria

Create the user interface 2793. In the Component inspector or the Property inspector, click the Parameters tab. For the URL parameter, enter data.xml,

28 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 1Review the completed FLA fileIn the completed FLA file, you will see the structure that makes up the finished

280 Data Integration: Using XML for a Timesheet (Flash Professional Only)7. Select the Date schema field. Its type is set to String. This is because t

Create the user interface 2818. Select the Data Type parameter for the Date schema field and change it to Date. This tells the DataBinding component t

282 Data Integration: Using XML for a Timesheet (Flash Professional Only)For more information on data binding and encoders, see “Schema encoders” in U

Create the user interface 28320.In the Bound To dialog box, click the Data Set component, and then select the dataProvider: Array schema location and

284 Data Integration: Using XML for a Timesheet (Flash Professional Only)23.Using the same method, create the following new fields: Field Name = bill

Create the user interface 2854. In the Component inspector, click the Bindings tab. 5. Click the Add Binding button.6. In the Add Binding dialog box,

286 Data Integration: Using XML for a Timesheet (Flash Professional Only)Edit the dataNow you will modify the application so that you can edit data th

28726CHAPTER 26Data Integration: Using XUpdate to Update the Timesheet (Flash Professional Only)Prerequisite: “Data Integration: Using XML for a Times

288 Data Integration: Using XUpdate to Update the Timesheet (Flash Professional Only)For this tutorial, you will need to the data.xml file provided in

Update the timesheet 2896. Double-click the encoder options property. When prompted for a value for the rowNodeKey property, type datapacket/row[@id=&

Creating a new document 29Creating a new documentYou can create all kinds of different elements for the web or for CD-ROMs and devices using Flash 8.

290 Data Integration: Using XUpdate to Update the Timesheet (Flash Professional Only)16. In the Add Binding dialog box, click the text: String propert

3ContentsChapter 1: Basic Tasks: Create a Document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13Take a tour of the user interface . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

30 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 12. Click Flash Document from the Create New column on the Start Page to create a blank document. 3. Select Fi

Changing document properties 31Around the Stage you see a variety of panels. The panel on the left is called the Tools panel (see the following figure

32 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 1If you don't have any objects or frames selected, the Property inspector allows you to modify properties

Importing graphics 333. Click OK when you finish entering the new dimensions to return to the authoring environment.When you return to the authoring e

34 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 1You'll see the Import dialog box (see the following figure), which enables you to browse to the file you

Importing graphics 356. Click the Selection tool, and select the instance on the Stage.If you look at the Property inspector you'll notice that y

36 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 1Setting new coordinates moves the upper-left corner of the image to the upper-left corner of the Stage. You c

Introducing layers and the timeline 37In this section, you will complete the following tasks: “Creating a new layer” on page 38 “Importing to a laye

38 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 1Creating a new layerIn just about any Flash project where you use imported graphics and animation, you'l

Introducing layers and the timeline 39Importing to a layerIn an earlier exercise, “Importing graphics”, you imported the gnome.png image directly into

4ContentsChapter 4: Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 3 . . . . . . . . . . .63Examine the completed FLA file . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 15. Click the Selection tool in the Tools panel. Move the star.png file on the Stage to just above the gnome&a

Summary 412. Click the close button of the window that contains the SWF file to return to the authoring environment. Find the folder on your hard disk

42 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 1

433CHAPTER 3Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 2Welcome to Part 2 of this three-part introduction to Macromedia Flash Basic 8 or Macromedia Flash Pr

44 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 2 “Creating a symbol” on page 49 shows you how to create a movie clip symbol, to which you’ll add an animatio

Examine the completed FLA file 45Copy the FlashBanner folder to another location on your hard disk to which you have access. Inside this folder are th

46 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 2This file contains an animation in a movie clip, text, an invisible button, and the assets that you imported

Adding text 47You can add any of these types of text using the Text tool. For this exercise, you will add some static text to the Stage for decorative

48 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 2When you finish, the text should be similar in size and in position to the text in the following figure.Add s

Creating a symbol 49Creating a symbolA symbol is an object that you create in Flash. As you discovered in Part 1, a symbol can be a graphic, button, o

Contents 5Write a function. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103Write an event handler for t

50 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 2Use the Convert to Symbol dialog box to convert selected content into a symbol, give it a name, and click OK

Adding animation to a timeline 51Adding animation to a timelineYou have already used the Timeline in Part 1 of this tutorial (“Basic Tasks: Creating a

52 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 23. Double-click the join us symbol instance on the Stage.This opens the symbol in symbol-editing mode (see th

Adding animation to a timeline 53Scene 1 refers to the main timeline of the FLA file. You can click this button on the edit bar to return to the main

54 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 210. Change the slider value to 75% (see the following figure).Change the brightness of the movie clip instanc

Adding animation to a timeline 55You can create several kinds of animation in an FLA file, such as motion tweens, shape tweens, and frame-by-frame ani

56 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 215. Select Control > Test Movie.The test environment opens where you can see the animation. Notice how it

Creating a button 575. Select No Color, as shown in the following figure. Doing so disables the rectangle's outline.Select No Color for the strok

58 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 212. Double-click the new button on the Stage to enter the Symbol-editing mode. The rectangle is currently on

Writing simple actions 59Writing simple actionsYou need to add some simple ActionScript to your banner in order for the invisible button to open a web

6ContentsChapter 11: Basic Tasks: Create a Presentation with Screens (Flash Professional Only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

60 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 2Before you add the code, you need to give the button a unique instance name. The instance name enables you to

Test the application 617. Select File > Save to save your progress before moving on.After you finish saving the file, proceed to the following exer

62 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 2SummaryCongratulations for completing the next step of creating a banner in Flash. You used the Flash authori

634CHAPTER 4Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 3This is Part 3 of a three-part article on how to build a simple animated banner in Macromedia Flash

64 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 3The tutorial workflow includes the following tasks: “Examine the completed FLA file” on page 64 lets you vie

Examine the completed FLA file 65Open the finished projectThe files for this tutorial are located in the Samples and Tutorials folder in the Flash ins

66 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 3Review the completed projectIn the completed project, you will see the structure that makes up the finished p

Considering your audience 67Considering your audienceWhen you create a site, you often need to follow certain guidelines for submitting a Flash banner

68 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 3The purpose of this article is understand how to create Flash content, export it from Flash, and add it to yo

Checking your publish settings 69In earlier parts of this tutorial, you made changes in the Document Settings dialog box. You set the dimensions and f

Contents 7Chapter 15: Creating Graphics: Applying Gradients . . . . . . . . . . 177Examine the completed FLA file. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

70 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 38. In the Options section, select Compress movie. You do not need to make any other selections on the Flash t

Inserting Flash on a Dreamweaver site 71Inserting Flash on a Dreamweaver siteYou might have a web page already created for a banner. We have created a

72 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 3This is where you want to add the Flash banner to the website.Select the large image placeholder on the right

Using roundtrip editing 73Using roundtrip editingBy now, you might want to change something in your Flash banner. Say you want to change the frame rat

74 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 3Checking for Flash PlayerMost people who visit your website will have the Flash Player 6 or greater plug-in i

Checking for Flash Player 756. Select the Always go to first URL if detection is not possible option.When selected, this option effectively means &quo

76 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 3Test the applicationNow you have a Flash banner, with graphics and animation, which also reacts to button cli

Summary 77SummaryNow you have completed your first Flash site and inserted it into a Dreamweaver web page. You have learned how to create a new file,

78 Basic Tasks: Creating a banner, Part 3

795CHAPTER 5Basic Tasks: Create Accessible Flash ContentWith knowledge of a few design techniques and accessibility features in Macromedia Flash Basic

8ContentsChapter 19: ActionScript: Write Scripts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225Set up your workspace. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

80 Basic Tasks: Create Accessible Flash ContentSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to use

Provide a document title and description 81Make your document accessible to screen readersYou’ll now specify that your document is accessible to scree

82 Basic Tasks: Create Accessible Flash ContentProvide a title and description for instancesNow that you’ve provided information about the entire docu

Change static text to dynamic text for accessibility 83Specify that screen readers ignore elements in your documentScreen readers follow a specific or

84 Basic Tasks: Create Accessible Flash Content2. In the Property inspector, select Dynamic Text from the Text Type pop-up menu.Accessibility settings

Control the tab order and reading order 85To create a tab order in this lesson, use one of the following procedures. To create a reading order along w

86 Basic Tasks: Create Accessible Flash ContentIf you have Flash Professional 8, follow this procedure to view a tab order: Select View > Show Tab

Summary 87About testing your document with screen readersYou already know the importance of regularly testing your Flash document as you create it to

88 Basic Tasks: Create Accessible Flash Content

896CHAPTER 6Basic Tasks: Work with LayersIn Macromedia Flash Basic 8 and Macromedia Flash Professional 8, layers are analogous to transparent sheets o

Contents 9Chapter 22: ActionScript: Work with Objects and Classes . . 255Set up your workspace . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

90 Basic Tasks: Work with LayersSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to use an optimal layo

Select a layer 91Select a layerYou place objects, add text and graphics, and edit on the active layer. To make a layer active, you either select the l

92 Basic Tasks: Work with LayersHide and show layersYou can hide layers to view content on other layers. When hiding layers, you have the option of hi

Change the order of layers 93Add and name a layerYou’ll now add a layer, name the layer, and then add a graphic symbol to the layer.1. In the Timeline

94 Basic Tasks: Work with LayersOrganize layers in a folderYou can create layer folders to organize layers and reduce Timeline clutter. The Timeline c

Add a guide layer 954. In the Timeline, drag the Road layer to the Mask layer, placing it below the Car layer.The mask layer and the layers it masks a

96 Basic Tasks: Work with LayersDelete a layerBecause you don’t really need the guide layer in your document, you’ll delete it. In the Timeline, wit

977CHAPTER 7Basic Tasks: Create an ApplicationThe application that you’ll create in this lesson lets users view the cost of selecting multiple product

98 Basic Tasks: Create an ApplicationSet up your workspaceFirst, you’ll open the start file for the lesson and set up your workspace to use an optimal

Name text fields 99Copy input and dynamic text fieldsYou’ll use input text fields to create a form.1. Click the input text field where users enter the