DIGITAL SANKALP

Debugging Your ActionScript

Debugging Your ActionScript

When you design a Flash Web site, you need to ensure that your interface, and every movie that loads into it, plays flawlessly and that yo...

8:16 am

Debugging Your ActionScript

Debugging Your ActionScript

When you design a Flash Web site, you need to ensure that your interface, and every movie that loads into it, plays flawlessly and that yo...

8:16 am

Getting Acquainted with Flash 5

Getting Acquainted with Flash 5

Flash offers a powerful system for creating animation on the Web. Here's an overview of what you can do with the system: Create a Fl...

8:13 am

Getting Acquainted with Flash 5

Getting Acquainted with Flash 5

Flash offers a powerful system for creating animation on the Web. Here's an overview of what you can do with the system: Create a Fl...

8:13 am

Dealing with Imported Graphics

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> </h1> Vector graphics — graphics that are defined by equations, rather than dots used in bitmap graphics — from any drawing program become a grouped object that you can use like any other Flash object. The WMF format, a Windows vector graphics format, also imports in this way. These formats work especially well when imported into Flash. You can sometimes find WMF graphics in clip art collections and on the Web. <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Preparing for import</h2> You can import text from a text editor and Flash turns it into a Flash text object so that you can edit and format it within Flash. When you import a bitmap graphic, you often need to take some steps before you can use the graphic in your Flash file. You can manipulate your graphics in several ways to make them more Flash-friendly: <ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>Delete the background: In many cases, Flash imports not only the shape you want, but also a rectangular background that you don't want. To get rid of that background, deselect the imported object, select just the rectangular background, and press Delete. If that doesn't work, read on.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>Ungroup the graphic: Ungrouping separates grouped elements into individual elements. Ungrouping retains most of the features of your graphic. Select the graphic and choose Modify --> Ungroup. If you find that you still can't work with your graphic properly, read the next item.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>Break apart the graphic: Break imported graphics to separate them into ungrouped editable elements. Breaking apart is useful for reducing the file size of graphics that you have imported. Breaking apart converts bitmaps to fills, converts text to outlines, and breaks the link between an OLE object and its source application. In other words, the Break Apart command is a powerful tool. Select the graphic and choose Modify --> Break Apart.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>Trace the bitmap: Flash can work magic. If you want total control within Flash, convert a bitmap to a vector graphic.</li> </ul>To trace a bitmap, follow these steps: 1. Import the bitmap — don't deselect it or perform any other action on it. 2. Choose Modify --> Trace Bitmap.The Trace Bitmap dialog box opens. 3. In the Color Threshold text box, type a number to represent the threshold. The higher the number, the fewer colors you get in the final vector graphic. For close results, try a value of 10. 4. In the Minimum Area text box, type a number to represent the number of nearby pixels that Flash considers when assigning a color to a pixel. For greatest fidelity, try a value of 1. 5. From the Curve Fit drop-down list, choose an option to represent how smoothly Flash draws the outlines. For the most exact results, choose Pixel.6. In the Corner Threshold drop-down list, choose an option to represent how Flash reproduces sharp edges. For sharpest results, choose Many Corners. 7. Click OK to close the Trace Bitmap dialog box and then deselect the graphic to see the result. When you import a bitmap graphic, Flash places the graphic in the current movie's Library. For best results, don't delete the original graphic from the Library, even if you have modified it. Flash continues to refer to the graphic after you have converted it to a symbol. If you're working in the Windows environment, you can also paste a graphic into Flash as an embedded object. To edit the object, double-click it to open the original application and use that application's tools. To embed an object, follow these steps: 1. From within the object's native application, select the graphic and choose Edit --> Copy. 2. Close the other application and return to Flash.3. Choose Edit --> Paste Special. The Paste Special dialog box opens. 4. In the dialog box, select the type of object you want to embed, if you have a choice. 5. Click the Paste Link check box if you want to retain a link to the original file so that Flash updates the graphic if it changes. 6. Click OK to close the Paste Special dialog box.<h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Selecting objects for editing</h2> Whether you created your graphics in Flash or imported them, you need to edit them in many ways. You can manipulate objects to suit your artistic fancy; the possibilities are in the zillions. The Flash editing tools can give you precisely the results you want. Some of the more interesting features enable you to smooth curves, soften edges, and add interesting fills inside objects. To select an object for editing, choose the black Arrow tool. That sounds pretty basic. But what is an object? If you draw a shape with an outline (also called a line or a stroke) and a fill, such as a filled-in circle, you have two objects — the outline and the fill. Here are some pointers for selecting objects: <ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>If the object doesn't have an outline and is just a fill, you're home free. Click the object with the Arrow tool, and it's selected.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>If the object has an outline and a fill, clicking the fill selects only the fill. The outline remains unselected. You can use this feature to move the fill away from its outline. To select both the fill and the outline, double-click the object.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>You can also use the Arrow tool to create a selection box. Click at one corner and drag to an opposite corner, making sure that the bounding box completely encloses the object or objects you want to select.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>To select just a line, click the line with the Arrow tool. Still, you never know when an outline is really several objects. To select the entire outline, double-click it. This technique applies to any connected lines.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>To select several unconnected objects, select one object, press and hold the Shift key, and select additional objects. When you press Shift, you can add to already selected objects and select as many objects as you want.</li> </ul>To deselect selected objects, click any blank area. So you're happily drawing away, using the various drawing tools. Then you want to select one of the objects, but you forget to change to the Arrow tool. Oops! You draw another object by accident. Immediately, choose Edit --> Undo. Then use one of the Flash arrow shortcuts: <ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>Press the V key to switch to the Arrow tool.</li></ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"> <li>To temporarily switch to the Arrow tool while you're using another tool, hold the Ctrl (Windows) or Command (Mac) key while you select an object or objects.</li></ul>

Dealing with Imported Graphics

Vector graphics — graphics that are defined by equations, rather than dots used in bitmap graphics — from any drawing program become a g...

6:10 am

Adobe Premiere Elements: Playing Clips in the Monitor Window

Adobe Premiere Elements: Playing Clips in the Monitor Window

Video clips that you capture or import into Adobe Premiere Elements all wind up in the Media Window. When you select a clip in the Media...

6:10 am

Dealing with Imported Graphics

Dealing with Imported Graphics

Vector graphics — graphics that are defined by equations, rather than dots used in bitmap graphics — from any drawing program become a g...

6:10 am

Adobe Premiere Elements: Playing Clips in the Monitor Window

Adobe Premiere Elements: Playing Clips in the Monitor Window

Video clips that you capture or import into Adobe Premiere Elements all wind up in the Media Window. When you select a clip in the Media...

6:10 am

Working with Clients as a Flash Web Designer

<h1 style="font-size:20px;margin:0.25rem 0px;padding:0px 0px 0.5rem;border-width:0px 0px 1px;border-bottom-style:solid;border-bottom-color:rgb(204,204,204);color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif"> </h1> Unless you're independently wealthy, you create Web sites for friends, or you play with Flash as a hobby, you need to generate a profit from your work. If you're going to survive working with clients and still keep your sanity, you need to do a few things. Don't hesitate to seek the advice of a competent attorney who can advise you on contract details. <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Create a client survey</h2> On your Web site, you likely have information about yourself, information about the services you offer, and examples of your work. Web designers can and often do get clients from distant locales. Sometimes the only way you can establish a preliminary contact and know what the client needs is to create and post a customer survey on your Web site. Customer surveys can be kind of lengthy, so think again about using a form created in Flash. Instead, rely on its butt-ugly — that's a technical term — HTML counterpart to gather information. In your questionnaire, you need to get the following information: <ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>The potential client's contact information.</li></ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"> <li>Whether or not the client has procured a domain name.</li></ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>Whether or not the client will provide edited text, images, and so on for the Web site.</li> </ul><ul style="padding:0px 1rem;margin:0px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:16px"><li>The client's expectations and why he wants a Web site. This should be a definite reason, such as promoting a product or expanding the customer base. If the client says he just wants a Web site, this should raise a red flag — the client has no earthly idea of what his expectations are.</li> </ul>The information from your client survey will help you establish a line of communication and eventually will be used to create your proposal and price quote. <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Create a static mock-up</h2> After your initial meeting with the client, you should have a pretty good idea of what he wants for the final Web site. You can easily create a mock-up of the banner and the navigation menu in less than an hour by using the powerful tools built into Macromedia Fireworks. After you have these areas laid out, you can create the area of the page where the initial content appears. Typically, this will be a combination of text and images. If you don't have an extensive portfolio or don't come highly recommended, some clients will want to see something before they sign on the dotted line. <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Get the client to sign off on the design</h2> After the client decides on the winning mock-up, get the client to sign the mock-up. In fact, you might consider having a stamp made that saysApproved By:on the first line andDate: on the second line. Stamp each of the mock-ups, and when the client swoons, whip out your pen — or felt-tipped marker if you print your mock-ups on glossy paper — and ask the client to sign. After the client signs off on the design, file it in the client's folder in case there are any questions later. <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Cover the bases</h2> When you're done with the Web site, the contract can serve as your checklist. Go through every paragraph and clause of the contract. For example, if you say you're going to submit the site to six search engines, make sure you have done so. Document that you've done everything listed in the contract. One problem that arises is documenting sundry details like submitting the site to search engines. Your client won't know the results of search engine submissions for several weeks. Take a screenshot of the site being submitted to each search engine and keep this with the client's file. If any questions arise after you've completed the site, you have all the documentation needed to prove you've done what you said you would. <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Get it in writing</h2> Never do business on a handshake; it will always come back to haunt you. Make sure your client signs and dates your original contract. If minor changes are to be made, cross out the original and then write in the revision. Both you and the client need to initial the revision. If the client requests significant changes in the contract, rewrite it — or tell the client to take a hike. Then make sure all additional client requests — with the exception of really small requests — are handled with a change order. <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Get an initial payment</h2> When you submit the contract to the client, make sure you add a payment clause. Always ask for an initial payment of at least 40 percent of the total contract price. Because this is a Flash design and you won't have anything to show the client until your initial prototype is published, 40 percent of the total price is a fair initial payment. Your contract should also include an additional 40 percent payment when the site has been published and uploaded. The final 20 percent is paid when the client signs off on the site. <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Get feedback in writing</h2> When you request feedback from a client, don't rely on a hasty telephone call where he tells you, "Yeah, it's great. Rock on." Unless you've recorded the conversation — which may or may not be legal in the state where you live — this won't hold up in court if the client pitches a hissy fit when you're done with the site. Get the client's feedback in writing. If you rely on e-mail for client feedback, after you receive the client's feedback, send an additional e-mail to the client acknowledging and thanking him for the feedback. <h2 style="margin:0.25rem 0px 1.25rem;padding:0px;border:0px;font-size:18px;color:rgb(51,51,51);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif">Bill for extras</h2> Your contract states everything that you and the client have agreed to. Your contract should also have clauses for extra work. When you perform extra work, generate an invoice immediately and send it to the client with the invoice for the applicable incremental payment. For example, if you perform the work at the final stages of the project, send the invoices for the extra work with the request for final payment.

Working with Clients as a Flash Web Designer

Unless you're independently wealthy, you create Web sites for friends, or you play with Flash as a hobby, you need to generate a pro...

6:09 am

DIGITAL SANKALP

Debugging Your ActionScript

Debugging Your ActionScript

Getting Acquainted with Flash 5

Getting Acquainted with Flash 5

Dealing with Imported Graphics

Adobe Premiere Elements: Playing Clips in the Monitor Window

Dealing with Imported Graphics

Adobe Premiere Elements: Playing Clips in the Monitor Window

Working with Clients as a Flash Web Designer

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