Fast Track to Macromedia Flash MX is designed to teach a wide spectrum of software professionals how to design and deliver cross-platform, low-bandwidth animations, presentations, and Web applications using Macromedia Flash MX. It is a task-based course, with students learning by doing. Along with covering the basics of Macromedia Flash MX, the course focuses on best practices and design, stressing the importance of usability, accessibility, optimization, and performance.

Course Outline Flash

Unit 1: Learning the Basics
• Introduction to Macromedia Flash MX
• The Macromedia Flash MX interface
• Creating a new Macromedia Flash MX document
• Developing in Macromedia Flash MX

Unit 2: Creating Simple Graphics and Text
• Using graphics
• Importing graphics
• Using text
• Masking

Unit 3: Adding Simple Animation
• Working with symbols, libraries, and instances
• Creating frame-by-frame animation
• Motion tweening
• Using motion guides
• Shape tweening
• Adding stop actions

Unit 4: Using Symbols and Libraries
• Graphic symbols
• Button symbols
• Movie clip symbols
• The structure of a Macromedia Flash MX document
• Working with libraries

Unit 5: Enhancing Functionality Using Actions and ActionScript
• Using ActionScript
• Creating interactive buttons
• Linking to a URL.

Unit 6: Creating Compact Movies
• Using the Load Movie action to create more efficient documents
• Using shared libraries to create smaller Macromedia Flash MX documents

Unit 7: Adding Sound and Video
• Adding sound
• Modifying the sound level
• Adding video
• Using Components
• The Bandwidth Profiler

Unit 8: Publishing
• Factors to consider before publishing
• Techniques for optimizing movies
• Publishing