Overview

Adobe Flash CS3 Professional software is the most advanced authoring environment for creating rich, interactive content, including websites, online advertisements, instructional media, presentations, games, and mobile device content.

Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator import

Import Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator files, while preserving layers and structure, and then edit them in Adobe Flash CS3. Optimise and customise the files during import with advanced options.

Frame-based timeline

Quickly add motion to your creations with the easy-to-use, highly controllable, frame-based timeline inspired by traditional animation principles such as keyframing and tweening.

Shape primitives

Easily create pie wedges, round off rectangle corners, define an inner circle radius, and do much more. Visually adjust shape properties on the stage. And create custom shapes with the included JavaScript API.

ActionScript 3.0 development

Save time with the new ActionScript 3.0 language, featuring improved performance, increased flexibility, and more intuitive and structured development.

Sophisticated video tools

Create, edit, and deploy streaming and progressive-download FLV content with comprehensive video support Ensure the best video experience with a standalone video encoder, alpha channel support, a high-quality video codec, embedded cue points, video import support, QuickTime import, closed captioning, and much more.

MP3 audio support

Integrate audio into your projects by importing MP3 files. Integration with Adobe Soundbooth makes it easy to edit files as needed, without requiring audio production experience.

Rich drawing capabilities

Visually adjust shape properties on the stage with smart shape drawing tools, create precise vector illustrations with the new Pen tool inspired by Adobe Illustrator, paste illustrations from Illustrator CS3 into Flash CS3, and more.

Extensible architecture

Leverage the Flash application programming interfaces (APIs) to easily develop extensions that add custom functionality.

Convert animation to ActionScript

Instantly convert timeline animations into ActionScript 3.0 code that can be easily edited, reused, and leveraged by developers. Copy animations from one object to another.

Device Central

Design, preview, and test mobile device content using Adobe Device Central CS3, now integrated throughout Adobe Creative Suite 3. Create and test interactive applications and interfaces viewable with Flash Lite software.

Course Summary

The Adobe Flash CS3 Video Development course provides students with the knowledge and hands-on practice they need to produce and deliver high-quality Flash Video over the internet using Flash Professional CS3. Topics include developing a rich media player using the new Flash Professional CS3 pre-built components as well as ActionScript; using high-quality encoding techniques, including the new Flash Video codec enabling the delivery of higher quality video over lower bandwidth connections; creating live video; and exporting the new alpha-channeling and video colour filters. This course will focus on delivering the best experience possible with Flash Video, exploring bandwidth scaling, progressive downloading, and streaming with the Flash Media Server and Flash Video Streaming Services.

Audience

This course is for users who have experience with Flash (either Flash MX Professional 2004 or Flash 8 - Plus knowledge of the new features in CS3). To take this course, you should:

Have completed the Adobe Flash CS3 Rich Content Creation course or have equivalent experience.
Have completed the Adobe Flash CS3 ActionScript course or have equivalent experience.
Have experience working with video (recommended).

On Completion

You will have learnt how to create web pages, banners, animations, video and image galleries. You will have the knowledge to use actionscript and explore it's functions, use video in web pages and understand how Flash 8 can import and prepare video footage.

Course Content

Introducing the Course

Getting familiar with the course methodology and format
Understanding the course objectives
Understanding the course prerequisites
Viewing the course outline

Introducing Adobe Flash Video

Defining streaming
Defining digital video
Understanding key Adobe Flash Video concepts
Looking at the evolution of Adobe Flash Video
Viewing Adobe Flash Video market adoption statistics
Examining the streaming video market
Identifying key benefits of Adobe Flash Video over traditional media
Introducing the Adobe Flash Media Server for streaming video

Building a Component Based Media Player

Understanding the Adobe Flash Video (FLV) development workflow
Using the Insert Adobe Flash Video command in Adobe Dreamweaver 8
Building a media player with the Adobe FLVPlayback component
Building a media player with Adobe FLVPlayback Custom UI components
Binding playback properties and components
Building a playlist and video picker
Skinning Adobe FLVPlayback Custom UI components

Encoding Adobe Flash Video

Understanding Adobe Flash Video (FLV)
Introducing CODECs and video encoding
Converting to FLV using the Flash 8 Video Encoder
Understanding bandwidth and data rate
Using advanced encoding settings
Adding cue points, cropping, and trimming
Using encoding best practices

Delivering Adobe Flash Video

Understanding video delivery options
Comparing embedded vs. progressive download
Streaming Adobe Flash Video
Using Adobe Flash Video Streaming Services
Using the Adobe Flash Media Server
Tracking Adobe FLV Playback

Reviewing ActionScript

Reviewing ActionScript basics
Using Media Component properties
Using Media Component methods
Handling Media Component events
Using ActionScript to control the Media Components

Building a Custom Media Player

Understanding the process for building a custom media player
Learning the Adobe Flash ActionScript required for streaming
Creating a connection to the server
Controlling and managing streams
Introducing and using the embedded Video object

Adding video playback filters

Using the Sound class to manage audio
Listening and responding to stream events
Adding Flash Video Effects
Understanding filters, blends, and masks
Masking the Adobe FLVPlayback component
Importing alpha channels with video
Creating a Flash movie that uses video with alpha channels
Understanding differences between author-time and run-time effects
Embedding the Adobe FLVPlayback component inside a Movie Clip
Using blend modes
Using ActionScript to apply filters

Enhancing the User Experience

Understanding the importance of the user experience
Creating auto detection for bandwidth, Adobe Flash Player version, and connection speed
Creating playback controls
Using full screen playback
Creating error handling

Working with Cue Points and User Accessibility

Introducing embedded cue points
Understanding accessibility issues for video playback
Manipulating cue points with Adobe Flash ActionScript
Adding closed captioning
Controlling video with keyboard commands

Using Live Video

Introducing live video
Using the live video encoder
Setting the live encoder
Recording a live stream
Playing a live stream
Creating bandwidth strategies

Dates

Duration: 2 days
Price: £495