Flash, the Stage is where the action takes place, the Timeline organizes frames and layers, and other panels let you edit and control your creation. Lesson Overview In this lesson, you'll learn how to do the following: * Open a file in Flash * Add layers to the Timeline * Create a keyframe in the Timeline * Adjust settings in the Property inspector * Open and work with panels * Select and use tools in the Tools panel * Search for topics in Flash Help * Access online resources for Flash This lesson will take less than an hour to complete. Copy the Lesson01 folder from the Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Classroom in a Book CD onto your hard drive if it's not already there. Starting Flash and Opening a File The first time you start Flash, you'll see a Welcome screen with links to standard file templates, tutorials, and other resources. In this lesson, you'll complete an animation for a bottled-water company. Most of the artwork is already in place. As you get to know the Flash workspace, you'll add an object from the Library panel to the Stage and animate it. 1. Start Adobe Flash. In Windows, choose Start > All Programs > Adobe Flash CS3. In Mac OS, double-click Adobe Flash CS3 in the Applications folder or the Dock. Note You can also start Flash by double-clicking a Flash (*.fla) file, such as the 01Start.fla file you'll use in this lesson. 2. Choose File > Open. In the Open dialog box, select the 01End.swf file in the Lesson01/01End folder, and click Open to preview the final project. An animation plays. During the animation, a bottle moves onto the screen and tips to pour water. 3. Close the preview window. 4. Choose File > Open. In the Open dialog box, double-click the 01Start.fla file in the Lesson01/01Start folder. The 01Start.fla file opens with a logo already on the Stage. The Timeline contains several layers; the contents of the layers change in different frames. 5. Choose File > Save As. Name the file 01_workingcopy.fla, and save it in the 01Start folder. Saving a working copy ensures that the original start file will be available if you wish to start over. Getting to Know the Work Area The Adobe Flash work area includes the command menus at the top of the screen and a variety of tools and panels for editing and adding elements to your movie. You can create all the objects for your animation in Flash, or you can import elements you've created in Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, and other compatible applications. By default, Flash displays the menu bar, Timeline, Stage, Tools panel, Property inspector, and a few other panels. As you work in Flash, you can open, close, dock, undock, and move panels around the screen. To return to the default workspace, choose Default from the Workspace menu in the Edit bar just above the Stage. [View full size image] About the Stage