Drawing in Flash

From MCTCWiki

Contents 1 Topic Assignments 1.1 Explore the Flash Drawing Tools 1.2 Learn to use Layers and Keyframes 1.3 Recreate Your Paper Prototype in Flash 1.4 Update the Wiki 1.5 Update the Blog 2 Related Links and Tutorials 3 Search the Web for more information 4 Students Contributions

Topic summary: In this topic you will learn about basic Flash drawing tools, layers and keyframes and you will use these tools to recreate your paper prototype in Flash. Introduction to Flash drawing tools Learning to use Layers and Keyframes Recreating your Paper Prototype in Flash

Topic Assignments

Explore the Flash Drawing Tools

• Read the Drawing in Flash tutorial to learn about the Flash drawing tools.
• Read the Working with Images in Flash tutorial to learn how Vector images are different from Bitmap images.

• Watch this tutorial on "Basic Drawing" in flash to see more of the Drawing tools that are available.

Feel free to stop the video, play with the tools yourself and then continue.

Learn to use Layers and Keyframes

Learn about layers and keyframes and discover how to use them to create multiple game scenes.

• Read the Introduction to layers in Flash tutorial to learn how to create and use layers in Flash.

• Learn about Keyframes and how to use them in Flash.

• Watch this tutorial on "How to create a Flash movie with multiple game scenes".

Notice how each scene is created in a different Keyframe. This will let us add animation and navigation later on.

Download the Flash file (.FLA) used in this clip: Scene Tutorial.FLA

Recreate Your Paper Prototype in Flash

You don't have to 'hand draw' the scenes for your paper prototype in Flash. You can trace them with the Pen tool and use Layers, Keyframes and the Flash Drawing Tools to develop them fully.

• Trace your paper prototypes using the Pen tool.

• Trace the title/opening scene of your game.
• Trace the first level of your game on a new keyframe.
• Include at least one character and the background for each scene.
• Use different layers for each part of the scene.

Update the Wiki

• Upload the assets (.SWF and .FLA) you created to your Team page if you are working on a Team game, or to your "My Projects" page if you are working alone.
  • The .SWF file is the Flash movie you created, upload it to show your work
  • The .FLA file is the code of the movie, upload it and let others learn from your code

Update the Blog

Suggested Post Ideas

• Write a Blog post about this topic, share your learning experience!
• Write about the subject of your game. Is there anything new you've learned about it since you last wrote about it? Has there been an interesting post from a blogger, or article you've found on the topic?
• Be creative! Write your inspiration!

Comment on the blog of one of your classmates!

Related Links and Tutorials

• Browse the MyGLife.org Flash Tutorials list for more tutorials, information and links!

Search the Web for more information

Here are some search results on Flash drawing tools:

• Google results for "flash drawing tutorial"
• TeacherTube results for "flash"
• Ask.com results for "flash drawing tutorial"

Students Contributions