Adobe Flash lets you design rich, interactive content for the Web. It is also used for creating games, educational aids, mobile phone content, and desktop applications using Adobe AIR. Flash Professional CS5 contains many new features and updates that help you build better interactive content more quickly.
This lesson does not require any lesson files from the included DVD. You can start Flash Professional CS5 and explore each new feature as it is discussed.
-
Use the accompanying video to gain a better understanding of how to use some of the features
shown in this lesson. The video tutorial for this lesson can be found on the included DVD.
Flash Professional CS5 includes dynamic additions and updates that appeal to all types of Flash users, designers, and developers alike. These include one-click access to advanced interactivity with the Code Snippets panel, an all-new text engine and improved video features that make working with Flash easier and more enjoyable. In the following pages you’ll get an overview of some of the updates you will find in Flash CS5.
Improved text features with the all-new TLF text engine
Flash’s Text tool just got a major overhaul, and now you can create more advanced typography just as you’ve come to expect in other Creative Suite applications such as Illustrator and InDesign.
Flash’s new Text Layout Framework (TLF) text engine opens up new possibilities in your movies through the addition of multi-column text, true vertical type and the long-awaited ability to flow across multiple text frames . In addition, you’ll find many new advanced character and text frame formatting options as well as a new Font Embedding dialog box that gives you more character embedding control than ever before.
|
Multi-column and threaded text are now available
with Flash’s new TLF text engine. |
ActionScript made easier with the new Code Snippets panel in Flash CS5
ActionScript, Flash’s built in programming language, brings your movies and applications to life with complex interactivity and total control. However, the learning curve associated with ActionScript can be discouraging to novice coders, and historically there have been few tools to assist you within the Flash environment.
To help new coders hit the ground running, Flash CS5 adds an all-new Code Snippets panel which gives one-click access to dozens of useful ActionScript presets that handle everything from basic timeline control to advanced audio and video control.
The Code Snippets panel (Window > Code Snippets) organizes Code Snippets by category (Actions, Timeline Control, Audio & Video,etc.) and you can apply presets to keyframes, movieclips, buttons and dynamic text in a couple of clicks.
Scripts created by the Code Snippets panel are editable in the Actions panel, and you can even create your own Code Snippets or import those created by others!
|
The Code Snippets panel makes adding complex ActionScript
to your movies a breeze. |
Improved Video Features in Flash CS5
Flash is a choice tool for authoring and publishing web video, and now you can work with imported video easier than ever with CS5’s new workflow and workspace enhancements.
Live Preview in Flash CS5
You can now preview progressive (linked) video, such as imported FLV and F4V files directly on the stage without the need to test preview or publish your movie. All controls on the FLVPlayback component are fully functional in the design environment so that you can work with video in context of other artwork and elements in your movies.
Enhanced Property Inspector in Flash CS5
Previously, any parameters and options for the FLVPlayback component were only available within a series of deeply nested panels within the Flash workspace. You can now fine-tune most any parameter for linked video directly from the Property Inspector, as well as create and work with video cue points from a new Cue Points panel within the Property Inspector.
|
The Property inspector has been enhanced to put
all video options and parameters within easy reach. |
Spring Behavior added to IK Bones
The IK (Inverse Kinematics) feature introduced in Flash CS4 has been further enhanced with more dynamic physics behavior added to IK Bones. Now, a selected bone in an IK group now features Strength and Damping values available from the Properties Inspector. Use Strength to control the rigidity of the spring behavior, while using damping to control the duration (decay rate) of the animation and effect.
Bitmap Editing with Adobe Photoshop CS5
For several versions, you’ve been able to import Photoshop and Illustrator artwork directly into Flash with maximum quality and ease, so it makes perfect sense that you can now do on-the-spot editing with Photoshop CS5 for any bitmap in your movie.
Right-click any bitmap image in the Library panel or on the stage for direct editing in Adobe Photoshop CS5; changes to the image are automatically reflected in the Flash CS5 application, so there’s no need to re-import or update an image from the Library.
New XFL File Format
In addition to the standard .FLA file format, you can now save Flash CS5 projects in the open .xfl file format, which recreates your Flash document as a project file consisting of xml files, directories and any assets utilized in your project. Unlike the “black box” approach of FLA files, the open structure of .xfl opens up the possibility of sharing resources in a Flash project with other applications, or even making more tools available for editing and manipulating Flash in the future. Best of all, .xfl provides a more open and understandable representation of your project and its included assets.
And, you’re off!
Now that you’ve had a glimpse of the new and improved Flash CS5 features, use the lessons in this book to prepare yourself for creating interactive files using Flash CS5 Professional. You will find more specific information about each of these capabilities throughout the lessons in this book, which has been fully updated for Flash CS5.
Congratulations! You have finished Lesson 1, “What’s New in Adobe Flash CS5?.”
