CA125 Introduction to Flash

Sample Syllabus (Word document)

Course Description

A survey of some of the predominant Web animation applications and technologies. This course begins with an introduction to animated GIFs, then moves into vector-based animation with Flash, and concludes with an introduction to Web interactivity, game development and ActionScript. Other Web enhancement applications may be taught based on changes in technology. Four hours lecture each week.  (4 semester hours)

Prerequisites/Corequisites

None, but previous computer experience strongly recommended.  

Goals and/or Objectives

By the end of the course, the student will be able to:

• Use vector based tools and palettes to create vector based graphics.
• Create a frame by frame animation.
• Convert a raw vector image into a graphic symbol and apply a motion tween to a graphic symbol. 
• Apply a shape tween to a raw vector graphic.
• Create a multilayer layer animation using either/or frame by frame animation, shape or motion tweens.
• Create a path based animation and explore the “Orient to Path”, “Sync”, and “Snap”  features of vector animation.
• Incorporate timeline sound in an animation using “SYNC” settings of either “EVENT”, “START”, or “STREAMING.”
• Create animation buttons that incorporate the normal over and down and hit states, and add sound to the over and down states of the button.
• Create buttons that use scripts to connect to both relative and absolute URLs.
• Create a simple scripted animation that uses if / then scripts to initialize variables, as well as scripts that dynamically generate “ints” or “chairs” (to present a string), in order to control an animation or produce a timer.
• Create scripted buttons in order to stop, start, or replay an animation.
• Create an interactive scripted animation which allows the user to navigate through the animation.
• Incorporate motion tweened animation, sound, and scripts to create an interactive game or interface.
• Incorporate animation and scripts to create an interactive interface to provide the user with independent control of objects. Students will generate multiple MovieClip objects that run on an independent timeline. This project is unique to Flash and critical to developers who use Flash.
• “Link” a library sound for scripting. Create a “sound variable object” in order to utilize the sound. Create buttons to start and stop the sound as well as control the sound object’s volume and the user’s speaker balance.
• Create LOADER source file in order to decrease download time on the web and learn the technical aspects of how to build a preliminary interface for a portfolio web site.
• Use basic property scripts to create a preloader that entertains the viewer while streaming media is being downloaded in the background.
• Test the preloader at various bandwidths to determine the efficacy of the preloader.
• Capture, compress, and test the efficacy of video use and compression as incorporated in Flash.

Final Project: The student will be able to demonstrate proficiency in all of the skills acquired during this course to produce an interactive video game. This final project requires the use of:

• Frame by frame animation
• Motion tweens
• Optional shape tweens
• Use of symbols including Graphic, Button and MovieClips
• Dynamic and static text fields
• Variables
• A wide range of essential yet basic ActionScript  

Please note that the information provided here is only a guideline and may occasionally be out of date. Official current semester course description language can be found at:

• http://webdb.montgomerycollege.org/Internet/
  courses/SubjectSelect.cfm (current courses)
• http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/curricula/
  descriptions/cdcompapp.htm (current CA certificates and degree programs)
• http://www.montgomerycollege.edu/credit/ (current semester course schedule)