Developer Connection: Learn Flash

Follow these simple steps to start building Flash content and applications:

1. Download and install Flash CS4 Professional.

   Get started using the trial version of Flash CS4 Professional. Make sure you also download the Adobe Flash CS4 Professional Update (10.0.2) for improved performance with large animation files and more.

   Some tutorials require Flash CS4 Professional, although some apply still to Flash CS3. To understand the differences between the two versions, check out the product's version comparison table.

2. Learn about Flash.

   Find out what's new: Doug Winnie, group product manager at Adobe Systems, writes about some of the biggest features of Flash CS4 Professional and how they can improve your workflow. Watch a short video tutorial that explains what Flash is and what it can do.

3. Familiarize yourself with Flash Help and Support.

   Select the Help menu in the Flash authoring environment, visit the Flash and Support center, or use the Flash online documentation. You can find help and documentation in all three areas.

4. Build your first Flash project.

   Read this article to create a simple Flash document. It covers the core concepts of Flash: document creation, importing, text, frames, assets, and simple ActionScript. Also learn how to create a simple animation in Flash.

5. Watch and learn with video tutorials.

   Watch video tutorials on the Learn Flash CS4 and Flash Downunder channels on Adobe TV. See detailed video presentation links below.

6. Develop basic skills with Flash learning guides.

   Get a guided approach to learning integral Flash features. Flash learning guides cover animation, components, graphic effects, and video.

7. Master the finer points of Flash.

   Browse the tutorials and articles in the Flash Developer Center—whether you want to explore 3D animation, generate complex geometric patterns, or explore video templates and tutorials.

8. Take apart our sample files.

   Examine the Flash ActionScript 3 sample files, which demonstrate various features common in Flash development. Some samples are complete applications, while others simply introduce a concept that you can extend to build your own apps.

9. Communicate with other Flash users through our community resources.

   Find a Flash user group and connect with the Flash community.

10. Get inspired by others.

    Find out from Favourite Website Awards founder Rob Ford about some of the best Flash experiences to help inspire your own projects. Keep up with Rob in his ongoing "Edge of Flash" column in the Adobe Edge newsletter.

Features to get you started with Flash

Adobe Flash CS4 Professional Update (10.0.2)

Adobe (May 13, 2009)
This update for Flash CS4 Professional (10.0.2) addresses issues related to compiling large projects. Specifically, it addresses stability and performance issues related to large animation files, such as timeline scrubbing and looping and nested movie clips, as well as text handling. For more details, read the TechNote.

Five demos of Flash CS4 Professional

Dan Carr (Aug. 31, 2009)
Follow these short presentations to get up to speed with timelines, symbols, instances, buttons, Motion Editor, ActionScript, and more.

Learning Flash CS4 Professional

Rich Shupe (Aug. 24, 2009)
Read these chapters to learn about ActionScript 3 basics, as well as components, audio in Flash, and how to publish and deploy a SWF application.

Flash CS4 Missing Manual excerpts: Video, testing and debugging, optimization, and sound

Chris Grover (Jan. 6, 2009)
Read these chapters from O'Reilly Media to add sound to your animations, present video, test animation playback at a variety of connection speeds, and optimize your animations.

Creating a simple animation with Flash

Doug Winnie (Feb. 9, 2009)
In this simple tutorial, learn how to import artwork into Flash, create an animation, and change an animation after you've created it.

Creating a simple document in Flash CS4 Professional

Adobe (Jan. 6, 2009)
Never used Flash before? Follow these simple steps to create a FLA file, add a simple animation, and publish your work in Flash CS4 Professional.

Flash learning guides

New to Flash? Learn how to use the various features of Flash by drilling down on specific topics:

• ActionScript
• Animation

• Components
• Graphic effects

• Video

Character animation with the Bone tool in Flash

Chris Georgenes (Dec. 7, 2009)
Get tips for using the Bone tool in Flash to articulate the parts of an animated cartoon character to best effect.

Working with the Project panel in Flash

Dan Carr (June 15, 2009)
Take advantage of the project management tools available in Flash CS4 Professional when building applications.

Exploring the new 3D features in Flash CS4 Professional

Mariko Ogawa (Mar. 23, 2009)
Get an overview of 3D: controlling rotations, animating with motion tweens, programming effects with ActionScript, and more.

Generate complex, geometric patterns using the Deco tool and Spray Brush in Flash

Jonathan Duran (Feb. 2, 2009)
Rapidly generate decorative patterns using the new procedural drawing tools in Flash CS4 Professional.

Creating simple interactive content using Fireworks, Flash, and Dreamweaver

Dan Carr (Feb. 16, 2009)
Explore the Adobe CS4 product workflow and learn the fundamentals of creating mockups and interactive content.

Learn Flash CS4 Professional with video tutorials

More Flash videos on Adobe TV

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