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Explanation of the features of Adobe Flash MX. Also refer to vectors, animations, interaction, buttons, ActionScript, programming, database, graphics, images, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions

Major Features of Flash MX 2004

by Ron Kurtus (revised 23 January 2004)

Adobe Flash MX 2004 includes basic drawing tools, ActiveScript programming language, timeline and layers. The latest version includes capabilities to include video,sound, complex programmed effects and database interactivity. The present version of Flash is .

Questions you may include:

• How is the drawing used?
• What type of animations can you do?
• What interactions are possible?

This lesson will answer those question. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.

Drawing tools

You can create simple graphics and illustrations using Flash's drawing tools. The Flash saves those graphics as vector images, as opposed to the typical bitmap type of image. The advantage of vector-based images is that they are much smaller than bitmaps. This is important in keeping animation files to a reasonable size.

Flash can be used to make quick drawings to be saved as GIF files. This can be easier than using a more sophisticated drawing application.

Animation

Animation is taking an image you have created with the Flash drawing tools or that you imported into Flash and then:

• Moving that image from one place to another,
• Changing the size of the image,
• Rotating the image,
• Changing the color or brightness of the image, or
• Combinations of the above.

Also, several objects can have their own animation properties at once.

Programmed effects

Complex animations can be programmed through the use of the ActionScript programming language.

Sound

You can also add sound to your Flash animations or movies.

Interactions

User interactions can be added to control the animations or Flash movies.

Buttons

Buttons can be clicked to perform some task like starting or stopping a movie. Buttons can also be animated on the interaction. Menus are forms of buttons used for Web navigation.

Programmed effects

Complex interaction can be programmed through the use of the ActionScript programming language. One special effect is the ability to interact with a database.

Summary

Adobe Flash has a good set of vector-based drawing tools, as well as animation tools. The Flash plug-in is required for users to see the Flash animations.

Answers to Readers' Questions

Use your skills to better humanity

Resources

The following are resources on this subject.

Websites

Flash Resources

Books

Top-rated books on Flash

Miscellaneous

Mini-quiz to check your understanding

1. What is the major feature of the Flash drawing tools?

2. What is used for complex animations?

3. What can a button be used for?

If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Flash development. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.

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Major Features of Flash MX 2004