How to Start Learning Adobe Flash

Edited by Silk, Maluniu, Luv_sarah, BR and 9 others

Flash is a flexible program where you can create any interactive content for web use or just for your own use. Ever looked at those flash games on the internet and wondered how they're made? Do you think you have an idea for a game and want to make it? Or do you want to create a really cool animation exactly how you want? Then you need to learn to use Adobe Flash.

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   First you actually need the tools. Flash in this case. The latest version is Flash CS6. When you look at the price tag you may just forget this idea completely, but bear in mind that you can download a free 30-day trial from Adobe's website (http://www.adobe.com).
   • Alternatively you might want to look at getting an older version of Flash (either Flash CS3, CS2, CS, 5, MX, or 2004.) They will be a lot cheaper if you can find them, but Adobe is very proactive about removing all old versions off the shelves the day a new version is released.
     
     
     
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   When you first open Flash up, the interface can seem a bit intimidating. If you have used Photoshop, Fireworks or any other of Adobe's products the interface will be more familiar. Familiar with the toolbar on the left hand side. Get used to everything it does. The timeline will be the core of your flash content. It is located at the top of the screen below menu.
   • The timeline consists of layers. Layers go over the top of each other, also making your content less confusing. You can lock layers to stop accidental editing of others and painful mistakes.
   • The timeline also uses frames and keyframes. Keyframes are created with the F6 button and normal frames are created using the F5. Keyframes are used when something changes. Frames keep the same content on the frame.
     
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   You need to decide what sort of flash user you will be. Either an animator or programmer/actionscript user. There is a more varies choice than this, but it mainly falls into these two categories.
   • Actionscripting will lean towards interactive and game content.
   • Animation will lead towards movies or the animation of game sprites and characters or more artwork.
     
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   Based on what you want to do seek out tutorials to help you develop. Here is a list of websites to help you get started:
   • http://www.flashkit.com - this has many tutorials on many subjects, from beginning to actionscript, animation etc.
     
     
     
   • http://www.gotoandplay.it - this has games on the site and interviews with flash developers about their projects. There are many articles about game creation and actionscript and this is a valuable resource for budding game creators.
     

How to Use Adobe Illustrator

Edited by Thomscher, Teresa, IngeborgK, Jacob and 2 others

Adobe Illustrator is graphic-driven software used primarily for creating vector graphics. Developed along side with Adobe Photoshop as a companion product, Adobe illustrator is used for creating logos, graphics, cartoons and fonts for the photo-realistic layouts of Adobe Photoshop. Currently the updated software, Adobe Illustrator CS to CS5 opened new features to the software such as adding three dimensional applications and realistic brushes. If you’re interested to know the basic functions and uses of Adobe Illustrator, here is a tutorial that can briefly show you how.

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   A good place to start is by designing a poster in Adobe Illustrator. Here you can learn how to create a starter document, do some basic text and color editing, and generate a product.
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   After you’ve made a poster, you can try to make a brochure in Adobe Illustrator which requires a more skilled understanding of height, width, sizing, and layout.
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   If however your plan is to create graphics that could be transported to Photoshop, you can start by learning how to use first the most basic tool for drawing on the software and that is the Pen Tool. Use the pen tool to start drawing a simple shape to creating a complex logo. So that you won’t be confused also on using the tool, make your fill white and your strokes black. Leave the effects, gradients and colors for a while and concentrate on drawing your graphic.
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   Once you’re skilled at the pen tool, you can try to draw something from start to finish.
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   The next step is to learn how to use the Shape and Pathfinder Tool. If you’re using the Pen Tool for drawing shapes and find that your shapes aren’t perfect enough, you can also use the Shape Tool. Use the Shape Tool to create ellipses, rectangles, rounded rectangles, triangles and stars.
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   You can also test your ability to use the Pathfinder Tool through this tutorial about making shapes. This tool helps when you’re creating complex shapes and objects.
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   After learning how to draw on Illustrator, learn how to use adobe illustrator swatches and colors. Begin by playing and changing the colors of the fills or strokes of your drawing by using your color swatches.
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   You can also apply a gradient by using the Mesh Tool. The basic idea is to use your color swatches if you’re aiming for a flat or 2D artwork, gradients to make your graphics more three-dimensional and then the Mesh Tool if you want your graphics to be more realistic.
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   Test your ability to use the color tools by drawing a hamburger from start to finish in this tutorial: Draw a Hamburger in Adobe Illustrator
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    To wrap up everything you have learned you can go ahead and create your own personal logo and business card. From following the tutorials on each of the step, you can essentially now start drawing a logo and prepare a simple layout. If however you’re still having trouble figuring out the software, you can follow the tutorial below on how to create a logo.
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    If you want even more of a challenge, try to live-trace a picture. This is a great introduction into some of the more advanced tools in Adobe Illustrator.