Meeting 15

Class meeting notes (feel free to add more...it was a "free flowing" conversation!)

It was great to be in class with everyone! Happy Break!

  • Review of Flash projects:What did you succeed at? Struggle with? What can we learn from you for the overall process?
  • http://quiz-builder.com/ creates a .swf file that can be added into your projects. However, because it creates a .swf file it cannot be embedded into your .fla projects.
  • Template for links on the web -- http://www.flashmo.com/home; Some templates forced to use predetermined text size
  • Class discussion about Jerry's project discussed the comparison of MRK and Dick & Carey --- some principles transfer and approaching it that way makes it easier to understand.
  • Using layers made it easier for Jerry to show the text over the diagram.
  • In CS3 action script cannot be attached to buttons
  • Making links is just as easy as making links in Dreamweaver (who would have thought...)
  • Using scenes may make the design easier, give yourself some space between frames (insert extra blank frames is logistically better)
  • Script Assist will help you choose the correct action script once you have a little knowledge of what you are trying to accomplish
  • Suggestions for next class:
  • Put flash at the beginning of the semester
  • Open lab at half way point with appt time, expert in flash at this time as well.
  • Handout maybe
  • Flash, then DW using Dick & Carey throughout
  • Will we need to know Action Script --- very specific in job descriptions
  • Changing tools book --- make sure it’s consistent with books in 7060
  • Need a cheat sheet

Other tips and ideas we came up with:

  • Making screen larger can help with free hand arrows and lines
  • Html quiz – hotpotatoes; http://hotpot.uvic.ca/-- open source tool
  • Management of files easier than DW
  • We need a server to upload our files to (other than UMDrive)
  • swf files looks the same regardless of browser or operating systems
  • scenes can be created out of sequence
  • We should all sign up to be a part of linkedin.com; good online networking tool

A possible Flash textbook: Peachpit Press's Flash CS3 Professional (Visual quickstart guide) by Katherine Ulrich. ISBN-13: 978-0-321-50291-9 (29.99) [Same publisher/series has one on DW CS3 that is also great; same price; authors Tom Negrino and Dori Smith.

About actionscript versions: Ulrich (above) notes "two flavors of ActionScript--version 2.0 (which also includes 1.0) and 3.0. ActionScript 3.0 differs significantly from the previous versions, and YOU CANNOT MIX VERSIONS WITHIN ONE FLASH creation." (emphasis mine)(p361). She goes on to ask which one should you use, and says 2.0 is good for beginners who "need to create only simple interactive Flash content. ...lets you think about interactivity in a CONCRETE WAY and attach scripts to buttons and other objects directly." She continues, "Because AS3.0 will be the standard going forward, this book focuses exclusivelyon version 3.0."