Learn Flash

The Internet was started in the early '90s as a way to share documents electronically. A simple method called HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) was designed for trading files, and a simple format called HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) was designed for those files. Virtually every web site you have ever seen has used these technologies.

HTML did not originally offer much control over presentation of documents. Soon, the language grew to include the option for images, colors, and more visual style. Web Designers began to use HTML and constantly asked for more and more control over presentation. It quickly became obvious that the language could only go so far to please everyone, and the researchers thought much of this control would be better suited to alternate technologies.

Some of these alternate technologies, such as JavaScript and CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), were designed to work seamlessly alongside HTML. JavaScript adds interactivity and functionality to web pages and CSS allows a large amount of control over style properties such as colors, fonts, and layout.

Unfortunately, not every technology could be designed this way as there was not enough resources to cover everything requested, so the designers of HTML decided to make a standard way to include other functionality and content into a web page. These other technologies could be developed by third parties and embedded in an HTML document by the use of a plug-in.

Graphic Formats

Another concept you need to understand to learn Flash is the difference between the two main types of graphic formats: raster and vector.

A raster graphic is made up of a grid of pixels, or small dots of color, that when viewed together, give the appearance of an image. Raster is the most common image format on the web and most raster formats are very well suited for detailed images, such as photos. Graphic file formats such as JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group), GIF (Graphic Interchange Format), and BMP (Bitmap) are all raster graphics.

A vector graphic is made up points, lines, and shapes. Vector graphics are very well suited to line art, corporate logos, icons, and cartoon-like illustration. Some examples of vector graphic file formats are EPS (Encapsulated Post Script) and SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics).

The vector version is saved as two points connected by a line. No matter how large this graphic is scaled, it can still be represented as a smooth line. The raster version is represented as seven separate square pixels, each one-pixel over and one-pixel up from the preceding. This method loses quality when scaled and displays a jagged, instead of smooth, line.

So what, exactly, is Flash?

Macromedia Flash is the de facto standard application for authoring rich media content on the web.

As previously mentioned, Macromedia Flash is one of the web technologies that can be embedded in an HTML document. It's an all-inclusive way to serve multimedia content (such as text, graphics, animation, interactivity, audio, and video) to the viewer.

Understand the terms

The Macromedia Flash Player is a web browser plug-in for viewing Flash content over the web. The Flash Player is free and can be downloaded from the Macromedia download web site .

Flash vs. DHTML

DHTML (Dynamic Hypertext Markup Language) simply refers to the creative combination of HTML, JavaScript, and CSS. DHTML enables you to add interactivity to your web sites without being dependent on a plug-in. Although this independence is a benefit for DHTML, it can also be a hindrance. The problem arises because not all web browsers are the same.

You may have heard the term cross-browser. Cross-browser compliance refers to web pages and code that display and work well in a variety of web browsers. Similarly, cross-platform means that something works well on multiple operating systems, such as Windows, Macintosh, and even Linux.

As beginning Flash users, you won't be expected to test every possible browser combination, but serious Flash authors test many browsers to ensure that their work can be used in as many browsers as possible. The following list contains just a few of the Web browsers available.

* Internet Explorer
* Opera
* Mozilla / Firebird / Camino
* Google Chrome
* Various handheld devices such as mobile phones

The first major benefit of Flash over DHTML is the consistency of the Flash Player as a presentation medium. Web developers using DHTML interfaces have always been plagued by differences between various Web browsers; for example, some code that works on Internet Explorer may not work on Netscape Navigator, or vice versa. Because Macromedia controls the Flash Player, web developers can ensure a cross-browser, cross-platform medium for presentation of  content. This gives a web developer, the piece of mind that any user can view and access content in exactly the same way, assuming there is a Flash Player plug-in developed for that user's browser.

Another major benefit of Flash is the file size. Flash has the ability to use and animate vector graphics. A vector graphic is made up of lines and points instead of pixels. Using vector graphics for most of your Flash movie can keep the file size much smaller than an equivalent DHTML interface.

Flash related FAQ

Q: What is the FLA file?
A: A FLA file (that with a .fla extension) is the source, or editable version of the flash template. From here you can modify your template and produce FLA files for presentation via the web. With the FLA file, you can export the SWF files.

Q: What is a SWF file?
A: A SWF file (that with a swf extension) is a compiled, viewable only, flash file. You would use this format by way of means of presenting through the web. You can export this file along with the HTML file in Flash MX if you have the .fla file. By placing the .swf files and .html files in the root directory of your server, it will become your website!

Q: Do I have to be a Flash expert to edit the template?
A: While it’s not as easy as MS Frontpage to edit in Flash MX, it’s still relatively hassle free with the advancement of Flash. By using the Find and Replace function in Flash MX 2004, you can easily search for all the text in the Flash templates.

Q: What kind of modifications can I do to the templates?
A: You can add content, incorporate your logo(s), add/delete a section, add/delete pictures, add/delete music to them as long as you are familiar with Flash MX. While most of the parts are relatively easy, adding a section would be a bit more complex and time consuming for beginners.

Q: I can't seem to open all the templates that I have downloaded?
A: That could be because you are using a version prior to Flash MX.

Q: I get “unexpected file format” when I try to open a template, why?
A: This is because you are not using Flash MX

Q: I don't have Flash MX, where can I download it?
A: Please visit Macromedia http://www.macromedia.com/software/ for further information.

Q: Can I use any other software like MS FrontPage to edit the Flash
templates rather than Flash MX?
A: No.