WEX1 - FLASH - 50 points

Assignment Description / Tips and Hints

Practice #1

Review:
Using Macromedia Flash MX create an animation of a skateboarding stickperson moving across the screen, jumping up and down with the skateboard (at least once) and then ending with the skateboarder going up a ramp and doing a front flip. /

Since you already know how to create a stickfigure, we now expect a higher level of technical skill. Be sure to include subtle nuances of movement such as bending the knees on jumping and flipping and arm movement throughout the animation.

Setup Requirements:
  • 600 (width) x 400 (height) pixels
  • Frame rate of 12 fps (frames per second)
  • Use two layers, one layer for the skateboarder and skateboard
    and one layer for the ramp

Enhancing Animation with Sound, Text, Scenes, and Color

Directions:
In this assignment, you will learn more fundamentals of the Flash program by creating a basic animated story line. Basically, you will learn how to insert sound, text, scenes, and color. You will create your own story line based upon a historical event for this project. Remember you are telling a story about a real historical event; some text information is required. Make sure to include an introduction, key highlights of the event, and a conclusion. It must be appropriate and roughly 30 seconds long. You may choose from any of the following:
  • Boston Tea Party
  • Monitor vs Merrimac(k)
  • Apollo 11 Lunar Landing
  • Mercury Friendship 7Launch
  • Wright Brothers at Kittyhawk
If you would like to choose your own historical event you must have it pre-approved by the teacher.
Here is an example of a historical animated event :
Assignment 3 Example
Note: this example does not have enough historical background text, but it is a good first try. / How To Insert Background Color:
1. To insert background color, right click on the blank drawing page.
2. Click Document Properties.
3. Look for the “Background Color” button and select your color.
4. Then, click “OK”.
How To Insert a New Scene:
1. When you are finished with one of your scenes and are ready to insert another one, click Insert on the top toolbar.
2. Click Insert Scene.
How To Insert Sound:
  1. To get sound or music, go to and then click on the link “Sound Loops” in the upper right hand corner. There is a variety of rap, rock, pop, jazz, techno, etc. Try a Google search for other choices.
  2. After you have found the audio that you would like to use for your project, click download. You want to download the file as a “.wav” or “.mpg”.
  3. Then, go into Macromedia Flash and click File. In file, click Import To Library.
  4. After you have imported your audio file, go to Window.
  5. In Window, go to Library and go over to Sounds.
  6. Click sounds and your audio file will be there.
  7. Find your file and drag it onto the blank screen.
  8. Then, on the timeline, drag the keyframe to how long you would like it to play.
How To Insert Text and Make It Animate:
  1. On the left toolbar, find the text button.
  2. Click the “A” (text button) and click on the blank screen.
  3. Draw your box to designate how large or small it will be.
  4. Type in whatever you want in the text box.
If you want to animate the text, you need to type one letter at a time and then insert a new keyframe. Then, type in the next letter of the word. Continue with this until you have spelled the word you want.
How To Test Your Movie:
1. Save your work. (this will create a .fla file)
2. Click Control on the top toolbar.
3. Click Test Movie. (this will create a .swf file)
Notes
When you feel that you have mastered the assignments, see your teacher for grading. Your grade will be based on accuracy and detailed drawings and commands. Hint: Your animation should not look like it is jumpy. Make it move very smoothly by inserting more keyframes.