Once you know how to use Flash, you can create everything from simple animations to high-end desktop applications, but it's a complex tool that can be difficult to master on your own-unless you have this Missing Manual. This book will help you learn all you need to know about Flash CS5 to create animations that bring your ideas to life.
Learn animation basics. Find everything you need to know to get started with Flash
Master the Flash tools. Learn the animation and effects toolset, with clear explanations and hands-on examples
Use 3D effects. Rotate and put objects in motion in three dimensions
Create lifelike motion. Use the IK Bones tool to simulate realistic body movements and other linked motions
Speed up development. Use templates, code snippets, and motion presets
Design applications. Get an intro to building full desktop applications with Flash and Adobe AIR
Create rich interactive animations. Dive into advanced interactivity with easy-to-learn ActionScript examples
Creating a Flash Animation
Chapter 1 Getting Around Flash
Starting Flash
A Tour of the Flash Workspace
Panels and Toolbars
The Flash CS5 Test Drive
Chapter 2 Creating Simple Drawings
Plan Before You Draw
Preparing to Draw
Drawing a Shape
Choosing a Drawing Mode
Creating Original Artwork
Copying and Pasting Drawn Objects
Adding Color
Chapter 3 Animate Your Art
Frame-by-Frame Animation
Editing Your Frame-by-Frame Animation
Making It Move with Motion Tweens
Editing the Motion Path
Copying and Pasting Properties
Shape Tweening (Morphing)
Advanced Drawing and Animation
Chapter 4 Organizing Frames and Layers
Working with Frames
Working with Multiple Layers
Organizing Layers
Spotlight Effect Using Mask Layers
Chapter 5 Advanced Drawing and Coloring
Selecting Graphic Elements
Manipulating Graphic Elements
Spray Painting Symbols
Drawing with the Deco Tool
Advanced Color and Fills
Chapter 6 Choosing and Formatting Text
Text Questions
Choosing TLF or Classic Text
About Typefaces and Fonts
Adding Text to Your Document
Choosing and Using Text Containers
Animating Text Without ActionScript
Text Properties by Subpanel
Chapter 7 Reusable Flash: Symbols and Templates
Symbols and Instances
Templates
Chapter 8 Advanced Tweens with the Motion Editor
Applying Motion Presets
Modifying a Motion Preset
Editing a Tween Span
A Tour of the Motion Editor
Changing Transparency with the Motion Editor
Easing Tweens
Chapter 9 Realistic Animation with IK Bones
Linking Symbols with Bones
Making Shapes Move with Bones
Apply Spring to a Motion
Animating an Armature with ActionScript
Chapter 10 Incorporating Non-Flash Media Files
Importing Graphics
Importing Illustrator Graphics Files
Importing Photoshop Graphic Files
Importing Fireworks Graphics
Editing Bitmaps
Exporting Graphics from Flash
Chapter 11 Incorporating Sound and Video
Incorporating Sound
Incorporating Video
Importing Video Files
Adding Interactivity
Chapter 12 Introduction to ActionScript 3
Getting to Know ActionScript 3
Beginning Your ActionScript Project
Object-Oriented Thinking
Using Data Types, Variables, and Constants
Conditionals and Loops
Combining ActionScript's Building Blocks
Chapter 13 Controlling Actions with Events
How Events Work
Mouse Events
Getting Help for Events and Event Listeners
Creating a Tabbed Window with Mouse Events
Keyboard Events and Text Events
Keeping Time with TimerEvent
Removing Event Listeners
In Case of Other Events
Chapter 14 Organizing Objects with the Display List
The Display List: Everything in Its Place
Adding Objects to the Display List
Managing the Stacking Order
Summary of Properties and Methods
Chapter 15 Controlling the Timeline and Animation
Slowing Down (or Speeding Up) Animation
Timeline Stop and Go
Organizing Your Animation
Looping a Series of Frames
Reversing a Series of Frames
Chapter 16 Components for Interactivity
Adding Components
The Built-In Components
Finding Additional Components
Chapter 17 Choosing, Using, and Animating Text
What Font Does Your Audience Have?
Controlling Text with ActionScript
Creating Text Fields with ActionScript
Positioning, Sizing, and Formatting a Text Field
Formatting Characters and Paragraphs
Formatting with HTML and CSS
Choosing the Right Text Formatting System
Chapter 18 Drawing with ActionScript
What's the Point?
Beginning with the Graphics Class
Drawing Lines
Drawing Curves
Drawing Built-in Shapes
Drawing Irregular Shapes
Making Drawings Move
Shape, Sprite, and Movie Clip for Drawings
Removing Lines and Shapes
Debugging and Delivering Your Animation
Chapter 19 Testing and Debugging Your Animation
Testing Strategies
Testing on the Stage
Testing in Flash Player
Testing Inside a Web Page
Testing Download Time
The Art of Debugging
Analyzing Code with the Debugger
Chapter 20 Publishing and Exporting
Optimizing Flash Documents
Publishing Your Animations
Exporting Flash to Other Formats
Chapter 21 Introducing Adobe AIR
Meet Adobe AIR
Creating Your First AIR Application
Create a Code Signing Certificate
Convert a Flash Animation to AIR
Publish Your AIR Application
Manually Install Adobe AIR Runtime
Appendixes
Appendix Installation and Help
Flash CS5 Minimum System Requirements
Installing and Activating Flash Professional CS5
Uninstalling and Deactivating Flash Professional CS5
Christopher Grover lives in Fairfax, California with his wife and two daughters. Chris received degrees in Creative Writing and Film from Emerson College in Boston, Massachusetts. He's worked as a technical writer, advertising copywriter and product publicist for more than 25 years. His freelance articles have been published in a variety of magazines from Fine Homebuilding to CD-ROM World. Chris's latest project is launching Bolinas Road Creative, an agency that helps small businesses promote their products and services. He's also the author of Word 2007: The Missing Manual and Word 2007 for Starters: The Missing Manual.
