Datasheet

Creating Your First Flash Document
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✦ Description: This is optional and can contain descriptive text about
your file, including a summary, last revision date, or any info you feel
may be helpful later. This information is only visible when viewing
Document Property in the authoring environment and has no impact on
the final movie.
✦ Frames Per Second: Because Flash files behave like movies, the frame
rate is an important setting that impacts the performance of your movie.
The default setting of 12fps should do fine.
✦ Dimensions: The width and height set here determine the size of your
stage and in turn, the visible area of your final movie. For now, leave the
default setting of 550 pixels wide by 400 pixels in height.
✦ Background Color: Click the swatch to pick a background color for your
stage from the Web-safe color panel. This also sets the background color
of any Web pages created by Flash if and when you publish your movie
to the Web.
When you’re done fine-tuning your document Property, choose OK.
Getting Familiar with the Workspace
The most prominent item you’ll notice is dead center on the screen: the
stage. The stage is where the action happens — where you draw, build, or
import graphics, create text, and construct layouts.
The grey area surrounding the stage is your work area. Items placed here
aren’t visible in your final movie because they’re outside the bounds of the
stage. However, it helps to think of this area as backstage — where text, art-
work, and images can make their entrance or exit or be placed until they’re
ready to appear in your movie.
The Tools panel
What CS application would be complete without a fancy toolbar? Flash has a
comprehensive set of tools for just about any drawing task you’ll need to
wrap your hands around. Table 1-1 gives you a rundown and description of
the tools you’ll find. The Tools panel, shown in Figure 1-1, has been
redesigned to make your work area flow better. A double arrow at the top
lets you toggle between a single column and double column to maximize
your work area.
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