ptg Getting Started with Flash CS5 Introduction Flash is an application for developing rich content, user interfaces, and Web applications. Adobe Flash Professional CS5 allows designers and developers to integrate video, text, audio, and graphics into rich experiences that deliver superior results for interactive marketing and presentations, e-learning, and application user interfaces. Most major com- mercial Web sites have implemented Flash content because of its cross-platform consistency, rich graphics capabilities, and small file sizes. After you create and fine-tune multimedia content in Flash, you can deliver it on the Web within a browser using the Flash Player. Flash Player is a software product devel- oped by Adobe for browsers on the Macintosh and Windows. Flash is the world’s most pervasive software platform, used by millions of professionals and reaching more than 97% of Web-enabled desktops worldwide, as well as a wide range of consumer electronic devices, such as PDAs and mobile phones. You can also deliver Flash content as a separate application using AIR or an application on an Apple iPhone. Flash operates virtually the same on both Macintosh and Windows versions, except for a few keyboard commands that have equivalent functions. You use the [Ctrl] and [Alt] keys in Windows, and the A and [Option] keys on a Macintosh computer. Also, the term popup on the Macintosh and list arrow in Windows refer to the same type of option. 1 1 What You’ll Do Prepare to Install Flash Install and Start Flash View the Flash Window Create a Project Plan Build a Flash Project Create a New Document Create a New Document from a Template Open an Existing Document Change Document Properties Work with Document Windows Save a Document Save a Document in Different Formats Get Help While You Work Get Online Updates and Support Finish Up 1 From the Library of Wow! eBook ptg 2 Chapter 1 System Requirements Before you can install Flash Professional CS5 and development content, you need to make sure your computer meets the minimum sys- tem requirements. You can create Flash con- tent on Windows and Macintosh computers. As a Flash developer, you also need to be aware of the system requirements for viewers of your Flash movies in a browser using the Adobe Flash Player. Web users need to down- load and install the player in order to view and interact with Flash content. The Flash Player is free and widely distributed over the Web at www.adobe.com . Some Flash CS5 features require the latest version of QuickTime. During the installation, use the Recommended installation type to install the required components. You can obtain the latest version of QuickTime at www.quicktime.com . For Windows Computers You need to have a computer with the follow- ing minimum configuration: ◆ Intel Pentium 4, Centrino, Xeon, or Core Duo processor or equivalent. ◆ 1 GB of RAM (2 GB recommended). ◆ 2.5 GB available disk space. ◆ 16-bit (thousands of colors), 1024 x 768 resolution. ◆ Microsoft Windows XP with Service Pack 3 or higher; Windows Vista with Service Pack 1, Windows 7. ◆ Internet or phone connection required for activation. ◆ QuickTime 7.x or higher; DirectX version 9.0c or higher. For Macintosh Computers You need to have a computer with the follow- ing minimum configuration: ◆ Multicore Intel-based Macintosh. ◆ 1 GB of RAM (2 GB recommended). ◆ 2.5 GB available disk space. ◆ 16-bit (thousands of colors), 1024 x 768 resolution. ◆ Mac OS X 10.5.x, or later. ◆ Internet or phone connection required for activation. ◆ QuickTime 7.x or higher. For Viewers in a Browser Your visitors need to have a computer with the Flash Player and the following minimum configuration: ◆ For Windows 98/Me. Internet Explorer 5.5, Netscape 7.x, Mozilla 1.x, Firefox 1.x, AOL 9, or Opera 7.11. ◆ For Windows 2000. Internet Explorer 5.x, Netscape 7.x, Mozilla 1.x, Firefox 1.x, CompuServe 7, AOL 9, or Opera 7. 11 . ◆ For Windows 7/Vista/XP/Windows 2003 Server. Internet Explorer 6.0, Netscape 7.x, Mozilla 1.x, CompuServe 7, F i r e f o x 1 . x , A O L 9 , o r O p e r a 7. 1 1 . ◆ For Macintosh OS X 10.1.x - Mac X 10.4.x. Safari 2.x, Internet Explorer 5.2, Netscape 7.x, Mozilla 1.x, Firefox 1.x, AOL for OS X, Opera 6, or Safari 1.x. Preparing to Install Flash From the Library of Wow! eBook ptg Chapter 1 Getting Started with Flash CS5 3 To perf orm a st an dard appl icatio n ins tall, ins er t th e Ado be Fl ash Professional CS5 installation disc into the drive on your computer, and then follow the on-screen instructions. Because the setup process is different for Macintosh OS X and Windows platforms, general steps are provided to help you get started, and the on-screen instructions will guide you through the rest. Make sure to have your serial number handy because you'll be asked to enter it during the installation process. If you're updating from a previous version of Flash, you'll be required to verify the older version with your serial number for the previous version. The Flash installation includes all the components you need, including the Flash Player 10, to develop Flash content. The Flash Player is soft- ware installed on a user’s computer that allows them to view published Flash movies (SWFs) in a Web page or through the player. Installing Flash Install Flash Professional CS5 Insert the Flash Professional CS5 DVD into your DVD ROM drive, or download the software online to your hard disk. If necessary, double-click the DVD icon or open the folder with the downloaded software, and then double-click the setup icon. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the product; the installer asks you to read and accept a licensing agreement, enter a serial number, indicate the language you want, enter or create an Adobe ID or skip the step, and specify where you want to install the software. 3 2 1 3 2 Did You Know? Most Adobe applications can be downloaded. It's all very simple, you go to www.adobe.com , click the Products menu item, and then select the application you want to purchase. You will need a credit card (of course), and a lot of bandwidth. From the Library of Wow! eBook ptg 4 Chapter 1 You can start Flash in several ways, depending on the platform you are using. When you start Flash, the computer displays a splash screen and then the Flash window. When you start a new Flash session or close all documents, a Welcome screen appears in the Document window, pro- viding easy access links to open a document, open a recent item, cre- ate new documents, create new documents from template, and display online video tutorials to help you get started. You can also use links to access many Flash related Adobe Web sites, including Adobe CS Live Online Services (New!) and Adobe Flash Exchange, where you can download additional applications and information. Starting Flash Start Flash in Windows Click Start on the taskbar. Point to All Programs (which changes to Back). Point to an Adobe Collection CS5 menu, if needed. Click Adobe Flash Professional CS5. If you’re starting Flash Professional CS5 for the first time, you might be prompted to specify the following: ◆ Enter or create an Adobe ID to register the product, click Submit, and then click Done. The Flash Professional CS5 window opens, displaying the Welcome screen. 5 4 3 2 1 Welcome screen Did You Know? You can hide the Welcome screen. On the Welcome screen, select the Don’t Show Again check box. You can set launch preferences to customize how Flash starts. Click the Flash (Mac) or Edit (Win) menu, click Preferences, click the General cate- gory, select an option from the On Launch list arrow, and then click OK. 4 2 Don’t Show Again check box From the Library of Wow! eBook ptg Chapter 1 Getting Started with Flash CS5 5 Start Flash in Macintosh Open the Applications folder (located on the main hard drive). Double-click the Adobe Flash CS5 folder. Double-click the Adobe Flash CS5 application icon. If you’re starting Flash CS5 for the first time, you might be prompted to specify the following: ◆ Enter or create an Adobe ID to register the product, click Submit, and then click Done. The Flash Professional CS5 window opens, displaying the Welcome screen. 4 3 2 1 3 1 Shortcut for Adobe Flash CS5 Did You Know? You can create a shortcut on the Macintosh. Drag and drop the Flash application to the bottom of the monitor screen, and then add it to the dock. You can work in other programs as Flash starts up. When you start Flash, the Welcome screen no longer stays in front, so you can work in other pro- grams (New!). Launching Flash and Opening a Document You can also start Flash and open a Flash document at the same time. Double-click the Flash file icon in Windows Explorer (Win) or in a Macintosh folder (Mac). You can identify a Flash document by the file icon or FLA file extension. A file extension is a three-letter suffix at the end of a filename that identifies the file type for the operating sys- tem. The Macintosh doesn't need to use file extensions, but added the feature to promote cross platform use. In the Mac Operating System (OS) 10 or later, you have the option to show or hide file extensions. When you are working on both platforms, using file extensions on the Macintosh allows Windows and Flash to recognize and open the files. For Your Information From the Library of Wow! eBook . ptg Getting Started with Flash CS5 Introduction Flash is an application for developing rich content, user interfaces, and Web applications. Adobe Flash Professional CS5 allows designers and. eBook ptg Chapter 1 Getting Started with Flash CS5 5 Start Flash in Macintosh Open the Applications folder (located on the main hard drive). Double-click the Adobe Flash CS5 folder. Double-click the Adobe Flash. and then click Done. The Flash Professional CS5 window opens, displaying the Welcome screen. 4 3 2 1 3 1 Shortcut for Adobe Flash CS5 Did You Know? You can create a shortcut on the Macintosh.