Flash - being organized: Difference between revisions
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{{ | {{Incomplete}} | ||
This is | {{Flash tutorial|CS3-CS6|beginner|}} | ||
This is a reminder of a few simple "how to work with the Flash environment" tips. | |||
== The workspace == | == The workspace == | ||
* Learn how to dock panels and to save the workspace | |||
* Learn how to dock panels and how to save the workspace (menu ''Windows'') | |||
* Learn about F4 (hiding/showing panels) | * Learn about F4 (hiding/showing panels) | ||
* Learn how to pin down the AS panel (pin at the bottom of the panel). | * Learn how to pin down the AS panel (use pin at the bottom of the panel). | ||
== Drawings == | == Drawings == | ||
| Line 13: | Line 15: | ||
Unless you are gifted, | Unless you are gifted, | ||
* keep your drawings simple | * keep your drawings simple | ||
* Draw in "object" mode (as opposed to merge mode) | |||
* Use external [[clipart]]. | * Use external [[clipart]]. | ||
Always make sure: | |||
* to lock layers you don't work with | |||
* to know at which level you edit ! (scene level or symbol edit mode). | |||
== Layers == | == Layers == | ||
Use a separate layer | Use a separate layer | ||
* for each object you want to | * for each object you want to animate | ||
* for each script | * for each script | ||
* for each sound | * for each sound | ||
| Line 27: | Line 34: | ||
== Names == | == Names == | ||
Always name things: | |||
* Layers | * Layers | ||
* Scenes | * Scenes | ||
| Line 52: | Line 59: | ||
; Remove junk | ; Remove junk | ||
* Remove really useless stuff from the library of each project | * Remove really useless stuff from the library of each project | ||
* Remove teen objects made by error (but '''make sure''' that they are not used in an animation). If they are, break these apart, insert the object as symbol in the library, then | * Remove teen objects made by error (but '''make sure''' that they are not used in an animation). If they are, break these apart, insert the object as symbol in the library, then rebuild your animation with these symbols. Only then kill the tween. | ||
== Quality == | == Quality == | ||
| Line 63: | Line 70: | ||
* Make sure you understand what you did (use explit names for instances, library objects and AS variables and function names) | * Make sure you understand what you did (use explit names for instances, library objects and AS variables and function names) | ||
* Remove errors (broken tweens for example) | * Remove errors (broken tweens for example) | ||
* Document, i.e. use comments in AS code, fill in the documentation | * Document your code, i.e. use comments in AS code, fill in the documentation: menu ''Modify-Document'' (CS3), File->Document Info (CS6). | ||
[[Category: Flash]] | [[Category: Flash]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:Flash tutorials]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:10, 11 February 2013
This is a reminder of a few simple "how to work with the Flash environment" tips.
The workspace
- Learn how to dock panels and how to save the workspace (menu Windows)
- Learn about F4 (hiding/showing panels)
- Learn how to pin down the AS panel (use pin at the bottom of the panel).
Drawings
Unless you are gifted,
- keep your drawings simple
- Draw in "object" mode (as opposed to merge mode)
- Use external clipart.
Always make sure:
- to lock layers you don't work with
- to know at which level you edit ! (scene level or symbol edit mode).
Layers
Use a separate layer
- for each object you want to animate
- for each script
- for each sound
- for each complex background drawing
Use layer folders if you get too many layers
Names
Always name things:
- Layers
- Scenes
- Keyframes into which users can navigation
- Symbols in the library
- Instances
Use conventions for naming (more later)
Scenes
If you can divide an animation into scenes, use different scenes
- Name each scene
Library
- Use folders
- at least for complex projects
- Create your own external library
- If you work on several projects copy your important artwork to a separate *.fla file.
- You can use your own *.fla file as library: Menu File->Import->Open External library.
- Dock it next to the "normal" library.
- Remove junk
- Remove really useless stuff from the library of each project
- Remove teen objects made by error (but make sure that they are not used in an animation). If they are, break these apart, insert the object as symbol in the library, then rebuild your animation with these symbols. Only then kill the tween.
Quality
Even for small projects:
- Identify clear goals, i.e. what the user should experience
- Work with a simple but effective user-centered design method.
- Make sure that he will be able to experience (cognitive ergonomics)
- Make sure your application is usable.
- Make sure you understand what you did (use explit names for instances, library objects and AS variables and function names)
- Remove errors (broken tweens for example)
- Document your code, i.e. use comments in AS code, fill in the documentation: menu Modify-Document (CS3), File->Document Info (CS6).