1. INTERACTIVE MEDIA DESIGN
Flash Basics ActionScript Basics Animation Advanced ActionScript
FLA SH B A SI C S
The Flash Interface
Symbols, Instances &
the Library
Vector Graphics
Vector Graphics - Trace
Bitmap
The Tools Panel
The tools panel is used to create and edit objects on stage. Some of the tools you will recognise from packages such
as Photoshop. The panel is split into 4 sections; tools, view, colour and options.
The Tools section enables you to create graphics and text, edit graphics and select objects. These will be
looked at more during creating graphics in Flash.
The View section allows for you to change your view.
Colours designate the current drawing colour
Finally, Options provides additional subcategories that may be available dependent on your selection.
The TimeLine
The timeline provides information on layers and frames. In ukmap.fla, only 1 layer is present 'UKMap'. The numbers represent
the frames and here we can see that UKMap lasts for 15 frames.
1. As a simple exercise, create a new layer. A new layer will appear called layer2
2. Select 'Frame 30' in layer2. On the Menu, select INSERT->FRAME. (Alternatively 'F5' or Right Button on the mouse).
The result should be:
3. Select CONTROL->PLAY (or press Enter). Note the results
4. Delete Layer 2 and select CONTROL->PLAY (or press Enter)
The Properties Window
The properties window provides additional information about selected objects,
for eaxmple the map. You will already have seen this through the stage
properties earlier in this exercise. For now, notice the changes that happen to
the properties window when you select the image on the stage, a frame in
the timeline and the surrounding area round the stage.
Exercise 1 - The Flash Interface
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Author: Patrick Ingham Last Updated: 5th June 07
Page 1 of 1Interactive Media Design
9/1/2009http://flash.mindmafya.com/FlashBasics/Interface-2.html