Course Description
This course is an introduction to Macromedia "Flash". Even though this is an "introduction" to Flash, it is not a course for students unfamiliar with computer graphics applications**. Flash is a vector-based, interactive animation creation program designed to enable the addition of dynamic full-screen character, scene, interface and motion graphics animation to websites. And, with its ability to be easily integrated into HTML pages, Flash is now being used to completely design many interactive websites that deliver both visual and textual content, as browsers are including the Flash Player plugin with their newest versions.
Additionally, producers of animated "cartoons" have discovered that the unique drawing characteristics in Flash; and the relatively short learning curve for creating 2-D animation with the program make it an ideal tool for the development of new projects for on-line entertainment, as well as television show production.
The goal of this course is to allow students to gain a introductory knowledge of Macromedia Flash, and begin to create projects that will enhance their portfolios, and allow them the ability to integrate dynamic, interactive flash intros, interfaces and navigation into websites.
Pre-requisites
ET34 is open to all SMC students**. Students will be expected to exhibit proficiency in the creation of digital graphics, meaning that you must already be comfortable with Photoshop© and/or Illustrator© and the use of standard graphics applications tool pallets. It is also highly recommended that students understand and have had some experience with Interactive Media developement (such as HTML and/or Dreamweaver© or Director©).**
** Classes in the subjects/applications described in this section are available at AET to all SMC students; and the completion of such courses will allow you to achive the highest level of quality in your Flash work, and to create elements which will enhance your personal portfolio. The lack of experience in these subjects/applications will probably cause those students to fall behind or produce poor quality work and possibly risk failing the course.
Textbooks
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Beginning Flash book: Flash MX 2004: Grphics, Animation & Interactivity; by James L. M.S.Ed. Mohler:
Materials Needed
- USB Jump Drive
- Mini headphones
Recommended
- Sound effects CD;
"A Zillion Sounds" available from: www.beachware.com ($24.95 or less) or the AET Bookstore ($17.95)
Free Trial version of Macromedia Flash (lasts 30 days, so time it carefully)
Schedule
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Week 1 |
Flash:
what can it do, and how does it do it? This week's advice: Read your book, use the "online reference manual", lock layers that you are not working on, name items as you create them, do not animate (move, zoom in/out, fade in/out) anything bigger than quarter-screen. Cool site of the month: Jib Jab Homework: Recreate an art "masterpiece" using the Flash Tool Pallet. You may import a bitmapped image from a scan or the web to "trace" over. DO NOT use the "Trace Bitmap" function within Flash to turn a bitmap into a vector image (you will not be given credit for the assignment).
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Week 2 |
*CLICK
HERE for "Rotating Spheres" Instructions & Demo Homework:
Create a cool "logo animation", with sound, which
may be used for an intro to your final project, (which can be a
"mini Flash website" consisting of all your assignments).
10 seconds, or 120 frames maximum length. |
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Week 3 |
*CLICK
HERE for "Bomb Demo" Instructions & Demo This week's advice: Do not settle for low quality graphics. Unless you INTEND to include "stick figures" or childish artwork in your Flash pieces, take the time to create high-quality visual elements. Use books, photographs, ect. as reference material. Cartooning is great, and is a special skill that must be learned. Even with interface design, quality is paramount. Whether the look you want is "Tooney" or faux 3-D, do it as good as possible, or don't do it at all! Homework: Create "Good - Bad" alternate outcome animation using "Scenes": An Intro or "set-up", then the resultant scenes depending on the viewers choice.
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Weeks 4 |
"with
_root": the foundation of interactivity in Flash This week's advice: As your projects get more sophisticated, and complicated, Pre-planning or Storyboarding becomes a neccessity. Designing on the computer screen will ultimately result in an inferior product. Don't be afraid to sketch out your ideas on paper. This will help you pre-inventory which Symbols you must create within Flash, and what must be created in other programs to be imported (bitmapps, sounds, ect.) Homework: Make an Interactive Game or Virtual Greeting Card using multiple "with" commands to include in your Final Project. Cool site of the month: Balthaser.com
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Week 5 - 6 |
Using
the main timeline in Flash to animate walking/talking characters. Homework:
Finnish your Final Project
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Week
6
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Presentation of Final Projects |
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TIME |
Students are expected to perform 3 hours of lab time, on their own schedules, per class meeting. But I expect that you will spend MUCH more than that creating exquisite work that just might get you a job! |
*Course
contents may be adjusted as determined by the progress of the class.
**Due to School Holidays , there will be no class on ...
Monday, January. 15 (Martin Luther King Day)
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Project
List
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The assignments:
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**This syllabus is subject to change
| Missing classes can cause you to fall behind. Therefore, please attend every class and be on time. Students who are absent excessively will be dropped. Attendance will be considered in the calculation of your final grade. |
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