Flash Site Design - fresh start flash learner need some pointers

Author

fresh start flash learner need some pointers

benjaP

2007-11-14, 6:15 pm

hey all, I just start learning flash not long ago and as a design student I
dont' know much programming myself.
if I want to create something like this
http://www.templatemonster.com/flas...ates/17076.html

Is it just strictly flash and actionscript? or I need to learn other programs
too?
It would be great if someone can point me somewhere.
thanks!

r_critchlow

2007-11-14, 6:15 pm

Benja -

From a brief glance at the template you specified, I'd say that there is a
little more than just Flash and ActionScript involved there. Most obviously I
would point to the graphics used on the page. Although Flash allows you to do
many things with graphic design and editing, it is not a graphics program (more
of a graphical development interface). If you want to keep in the Adobe realm,
PhotoShop and Fireworks -or the new CS3 Web Premium package may be the best bet.

As far as learning these applications - that depends on your budget. You can
get some great startup skills from places like www.tutorialized.com.

If your budget is large, try some place like www.lynda.com, where they have
lots of great videos available.

Books on the topic are easy to find on Amazon.com (or any other book outlet
store or web site). Books I found helpful are:
Essential ActionScript 3.0 - Jun 2007 - O'Reilly
ActionScript 3.0 Cookbook - Oct 2006 - O'Reilly
Foundation Actionscript 3.0 Animation - Apr 2007 - Friends of ED
Flash CS3 For Dummies - May 2007 - Wiley
Foundation Flash CS3 for Designers - Jul 2007 - Friends of Ed <== Particularly
Helpful
Adobe Creative Suite 3 Web Premium All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies - Aug
2007 - Wiley

Most of what I do is Flash/Actionscript, ASP, PHP and database stuff. Someone
else may have other selections for Photoshop. There isn't yet a lot out there
for Fireworks - three or four that I've seen with more coming the first of the
year.

Hope that isn't overwhelming.
-Rex

benjaP

2007-11-14, 6:15 pm

thx rex for all that pointers! but maybe the template example is not a good
example of what i want to ask...
let me try to rephrase it...

what if i want to take it further to 3D or an animation with perspective such
as http://www.templatemonster.com/flash-intro/16841.html
does it involve a combination of flash/actionscript/swift3d/AfterEffet?
or i can use actionscript itself to achieve all these effects?

r_critchlow

2007-11-14, 10:14 pm

You really don't think small, do you?

To be honest, I don't know EXACTLY how they did your last example or all of
the applications they used to get there. What I can say for certain is that if
you're just getting started, start with one or two apps like Flash and
Fireworks or PhotoShop. When you get proficient at those, add more. Always push
yourself and the limits of your knowledge and before you know it, you'll be
making projects like your samples.

If you run out today and buy every app you will need to get to that point,
there will be five generations of applications to upgrade before you get to
them.

Dream endlessly. Think aggressively. Live responsibly. Work diligently. You'll
get there.

-Rex

Sketchsta

2007-11-15, 6:15 pm

Hi BenjaP, and welcome to Flash =)

I agree with r_critchlow...."You really don't think small, do you?" lol

That template and intro you referred to are high to very high advance...well
maybe not so much the template..but the intro, definately.
There is no doubt that other software was used on those, but with enough
knowledge of Flash actionscript, you could make 3D navigation, objects,
interraction, etc...
The more I learn the more i see how much actionscript can do.

And although i recommend investing in some books or tutorials on AS. I
actually learnt half of what i know from these forums right here.

One of the best investments i made was buying a book about Trigonometry Maths.
I suck at maths.......realllllly bad.... but this book has opened the doors
for some extremly advanced animation, including 3D.

So my suggestion to you is, learn the basics first...go on your own learning
curve, and come to adobe forums if you need some guidence or help.
Once you have the basics under your belt, then you will have a fair idea of
what actionscript can do, THEN, you can go invest in books and tutorials you
are interested in learning.

::sKetch::