Introduction of Flash

Introduction

The Macromedia Flash section of ReviseICT.co.uk has been created to help both students and teachers learn how to use Flash.

The Flashpaper resouces are the best to use if you are working online, or you can print out the .pdf versions to use as worksheets. Please let me know if you find these useful as more will then be added.

There are now six guidance pages - 'Introduction to Flash', 'Creating a game' (3 parts), 'Creating a drag-and-drop exercise' and 'Creating a Whack-Attack game'. Scroll down the page for more detials.

Starter
Introduction to Flash

Introductory resource - guiding users through the use of Flash as a basic design tool. Users using the drawing and fill tools to become familiar with the Flash interface.

The official Macromedia 'Learning Guides' are an excellent way to develop Flash skills. Macromedia is constantly adding additional support material online - make sure you visit their learning Flash materials.


Developing your first game - see what students have produced...

The 'creating a game tasks' (below) involve editing a pre-prepared Flash MX game. This game was originally created by Gary Rosenzweig for his marvelous book - Flash MX Actionscript for Fun & Games. This book is a great way to learn some of the more complex areas of Flash.

The following resources are based on this game file, which has been heavily edited in preparation for these carefully developed tasks.


Creating a game - part 1

Part 1: Adaptation and development of the game file. Involves locking and editing timeline frames, together with the creation of the 'ultimate game background' screen.

Creating a game - part 2

Part 2: Design and creation of the 'enemy'. Guides users to edit the game file exploring the use of symbols and identifiers. Many opportunities for extension work.

Creating a game - part 3


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More advanced development
Drag and drop exercises in Flash

Explore some online examples of the benefits of drag-and-drop exercises. Then follow tutorials to create your own. Includes optional downloadable .fla that you might like to make use of.
Time: 30 minutes
From nothing to a game in 30 minutes!
With some basic knowledge of Flash, create your own game based on the classic 'Pong'. Design your own version that really smells quite good. Includes downloadable example and ideas to extend further.
Time: 30 minutes
Create your own Whack-Attack game

Create a Whack-Attack game following some detailed instructions. Find an image of an individual (yes, images of Mr Field are fine!) and then import it into Flash. You then customise the image and add your code.
Time: 45 minutes +




Overview

Macromedia Flash is an incredible tool, allowing professional designers and programmers to create rich content and applications. An amazing array of online experiences can be developed - from animations and graphical showcases to online games, high-end video and actual programs.

Aside from all this gobbledygook, Flash is simply a program that allows webpages to come alive.

Yet the one major problem with Macromedia Flash is that people, often quite rightly, think that is is difficult to learn. This page contains some ideas and resources to help people start learning about Flash. The best advice I can offer is that it is worth simply experimenting and exploring the possibilities yourself.

These resources have been created to help students at Neale-Wade Community College in March, Cambridgeshire, UK. Some related to the summer-school day in August 2004, others relate to the after school Advanced-ICT club.