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Introduction to Adobe Flash. NOT that Flash !. This Flash!. What is Adobe Flash ?. A software application for creating rich media content, including animations and applications for the web, desktop and mobile devices. Brief History.
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NOT that Flash!
This Flash!
What is Adobe Flash? • A software application for creating rich media content, including animations and applications for the web, desktop and mobile devices.
Brief History • Flash began as a simple vector-based animation software called FutureSplash Animator.
Brief History • Macromedia, a graphics and web development software company, originally purchased it. • Macromedia produced the software under a new name, Macromedia Flash.
Brief History • In December 2005, Macromedia and their software was purchased by Adobe. • Macromedia Flash then, became Adobe Flash.
Current Version • The most current version of the Adobe Flash software is CS5.5. It released in April 2011.
What does Flash do? • It a software tool that allows designers and developers to create animations that feature graphics (both vector and raster), sound and video.
Flash can be used to create • animated logos like the one at Shaake • banner ads or other animated advertisements like the banners you can create on the FlashVortexwebsite • interactive website controls, such as on the DJNR portfolio
It can also be used to create • slideshows like the Whirly template from FlashMint • (play) videos such as those found on YouTube and Hulu • games or simulations like Monoface
As well as • Animated shorts or videos such as those by Alan Becker - And even - • entire websites, such as the Silver Pistol portfolio and the MegaMind movie website
So, how does Flash work? • When you see Flash content on the web, what you are really seeing is a Flash movie. • A Flash player is a plug in for web browsers that allows them to display a Flash movie.
The Flash Plug In • If the user does not have the Flash plugin and there are using a modern browser they will see a message like this and can easily install the Flash plug in.
Flash PlugIn Adoption • According to Adobe though, Flash content reaches 99% of web users.
.FLA • Adobe Flash, by default creates .fla (Flash) files. • These files are the editable versions of a Flash animation. They are the Flash equivalent of a Fireworks .png.
Flash on the Web • To view Flash content on the web it must be exported. • The exported Flash movie can be viewed in two forms: a player file and a video file.
.SWF • The player file is a .swf (ShockWave Flash) file that contains the frame and player controls that the viewer interacts with.
.FLV • The video file, a .flv (Flash Video) or .mp4 is a Flash movie that must be played by a Flash player, such as within a .swffile.
Is Flash WYSIWYG or Programmed? • A lot in Flash can be accomplished through WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) operation. • You can create advanced manipulation through ActionScript scripting.
Flash Programming • ActionScript programming is a scripting language developed by Adobe. • It can be used in combination with Flash WYSIWYG features or can work alone to create a Flash movie.
.AS • ActionScript files use the .as file extension.
Is Flash better than usingHTML, CSS and Scripting? • Not necessarily. • Traditional web technologies such HTML, CSS and Scripting are completely different from Flash and are used for completely different situations.
Flash Disadvantages • Flash movies still require a separate plug-in installation in order to run in web browsers. • So, if a user does not have a Flash player installed they will not be able to view the Flash movie.
Disadvantage: Usability • Besides having to install the plug in user may become frustrated with Flash content because using Flash tends to break conventions associated with normal HTML pages. • With Flash you cannot select text, scroll easily, navigate web forms easily, bookmark individual web pages or right-click.
Disadvantage: Search Rankings • From the developers perspective, it can be difficult to create a Search Engine Optimized Flash website. • Typical search engine spiders cannot index content within Flash movies.
Disadvantage: Maintenance • Flash websites are difficult to update because they are exported versions of the Flash movie. • They have to be edited in the Flash software, re-exported and then re-uploaded to the web.
Flash Advantages • It provides a degree of freedom of development that is not easily found elsewhere. • It allows you to place objects anywhere on the page without having to worry about absolute/relative placement, the CSS box model or inconsistencies across browsers.
Advantage: Embedding • With Flash you have the ability to directly embed sound, video and any font you wish and have it display in the client browser regardless of whether they have the necessary plug ins or font installed on their machine.
Advantage: Display Size • Flash’s vector rendering processes give it the ability to adjust the entire display size based on the browser size and, in doing so, keep your images and text clean and unpixelated.