Introduction to Flash 8 Workspace
with
Don Schechter
Don't know a stage from a paste board? Don't worry--check out this introduction to the Flash 8 workspace and see where everything is located.
Related Articles
Drawing on a TStatusBar's Panel Delphi control: Styling a Panel with Background Color, Font Color, GraphicsFlash Tip: Program Tools: Oval and Rectangle ToolsGetting Around in Photoshop Elements 4 - The Photoshop Elements Tool Options BarSt. Patrick's Day Shamrocks Illustrator Tutorial - Page 5The Crop Tool in Photoshop CS2 - Lesson 2: Working with Documents
Transcript: Introduction to Flash 8 Workspace
Hi, I'm Don Schechter for About.com Computing. Today I'll talk about the Flash 8 workspace and show you where everything is laid out and what goes where.The Flash Workspace Toolbar
When you create a new Flash document, you have a few things to look at.All the way on the left is our toolbar that contains all the tools we'll employ. Here you have tools for creating shapes such as ovals and rectangles.
There are selection tools as well as drawing tools, erasers, view tools, and more.
Use the Timeline to Create Keyframes
On top we have the timeline, which shows all the frames in our animation, and which we use to specify when an action occurs. On the timeline, we'll create keyframes to change our animation over time.Watch Animation on the Stage
In the middle we have the stage, which is what is being shown at our selected frame. When someone watches your animation, everything that happens on your stage is shown.In this case, our very first frame. The stage is the white part.
Place Movie Elements on the Paste Board
The grey part around the stage is the paste board. You can place elements in your movie on the paste board, but they won't be visible until you move them onto the stage.If I click on the zoom tool, and zoom out by holding the option key on my Mac keyboard, I can see more of the paste board.
See Options in the Properties Panel
On the bottom we have the properties panel. The properties will change depending upon what we've selected.Let's go to the toolbar and choose the oval tool. The properties panel will change and show me my options for creating an oval.
I can click and drag out an oval. I can now go back to the properties panel and change the color.
If I go back to the toolbar and select the text tool for example, I now have new options. On the right we have additional panels, which include the library and color mixer.
Minimize or Pull Up Panels
If there is a panel that you want to minimize, simply click on the name and the panel will close up. There are other panels available, and to bring them up, go to 'Window' and click on one.Here's one for color swatches. It pops up next to my color mixer, and I can just right click it and close it.
Let's open up another panel. I'll select 'Output.' I can take my mouse and click just to the left of the word 'output.' I can now drag this panel into another panel.
Customize Your Workspace
If you customize your workspace you can save it for future use. Go up to 'Window,' 'Workspace layout,' and select 'Save current.' Give it a name.If you accidentally or deliberately change your workspace, you can load your custom workspace by going to 'Window,' 'Workspace layout,' and choosing the one you names.
Finally, on the very top we have all our menu options. If there's something you can't find, this is a good place to look for it.
Thanks for watching. For more information please visit us online at computing.about.com.