Learning Flash...

[Genesis00]

I've just started using Flash MX (not 2004, cuz I have Win ME), like literally just a few days ago. So obviously, I don't really know a lot about flash animating. I was just wondering, what would be a good way to start off with flash? I've seen a lot of animation done using video game sprites, and I thought that was pretty cool. Would that be way too complex to start with though?
Thanks in advance.

[HippityGopher]

umm read tutorials in flash

the ultimate tuorial 2 on ng

just search the portal there are bound to be many submissions that can help you

[LeChuckGL]

start with simple things. Exprimet with tween animation until u can make an animation of a guy walking. Then try some frame by frame animation ( simple, like worms twisting and spliting....). Then, if u are interested, try some action script to make a simple game !
Check the tutorials here and in google....u will find them very usefull.
Good Luck!

[Genesis00]

Cool, thanks for pointing those out (never would've seen 'em otherwise). I'll go check them out now. :)

Oh, and something else about Flash MX. This is a rather technical question, but how (in Flash MX) can I get the stuff outside the white area (or "body" or whatever it's called) to NOT show up in the published movie? I know it usually doesn't show anyway, but for example, if you were to resize the window, then that extraneous crap on the outside (that's not supposed to be seen :P) shows up. How can I prevent this from happening?

Thanks.

[HippityGopher]

well when u export ur flash (ctrl enter) only the whit part of the screen shows

you can have stuff in the grey area: for example to make it seem like movement or something using a tween

when u resize? how so the flash document from 500/400 (w/e) to 600/250?

or when u zoom in an out?

[Waldo-of-Fuzion]

At 6/5/05 09:20 PM, Genesis00 wrote: Cool, thanks for pointing those out (never would've seen 'em otherwise). I'll go check them out now. :)

Oh, and something else about Flash MX. This is a rather technical question, but how (in Flash MX) can I get the stuff outside the white area (or "body" or whatever it's called) to NOT show up in the published movie? I know it usually doesn't show anyway, but for example, if you were to resize the window, then that extraneous crap on the outside (that's not supposed to be seen :P) shows up. How can I prevent this from happening?

Thanks.

Are you just looking directly at the .SWF file? If you are, then you're going to see everything that you drew. Go to Publish Settings and make sure that Flash and HTML are both checked. Then, after you publish them, open up the HTML file and you should see it properly without the extra stuff.

[Genesis00]

I guess presenting an example is the best explanation. Here's an SWF that I uploaded to photobucket (which I didn't know you could do :P). Dude walking. If your browser is maximized, you see beyond the horizontal black line (and you're supposed to see only within the length of that black line). Is there a way to basically stop that gray area from being seen at all?

Thanks.

[Genesis00]

Anyone?

:\ I'm starting to think that it probably happens to everyone, and that nobody really pays attention to it.

[Hamslice]

internet tuts, tons on NG

[Genesis00]

Thanks for the replies. I took a look at some of Ultimate Tutorial 2, and it's helped me find some features that I didn't even know were there lol. I'll look at some more too.
Yeah, I guess I'll just forget about that problem about the gray area being shown. It's not a big deal.

BTW, is drawing a simple face (well, have of one) supposed to take a few hours? I was just testing out the drawing capabilities of Flash MX (and of myself), and it took me like 2 hours to do a face.
Here's the link to the jpeg that I exported. I decided to do a DBZ face cuz I used to like it a lot (I don't hate it now, I just never watch it), and I just saw some DBZ flashes today on NG. So most of what it looks like is drawn from memory :P.
How is it for my first drawing? Well, first drawing that took time (I've done stick figures in Flash mx too)...

Thanks for your replies.

[Unknown]

books!tuts!bbs! feed yourself flash, and don't be destracted by anything. Also dont feel underconfident or put yourself down because that will only cause pain when you flash.

[Darkaxl]

o Yeah and Dude word of warnin Unless ure Dbz is Awsome then it WILL be Blammed and that no joke. People have Kinda gone of Dbz and Becuase of the other good ones on Ng they Expect a hell of alot Good luck.

xD Darkaxl

[Genesis00]

lol, sometimes I wonder if people read only the first post in a thread. Anyway, what do you all think of that drawing above? It was a pain in the ass cuz I use a mouse.

Also, does shape manipulation to make drawings work well>

[Genesis00]

Oops. I wasn't talking to you Darkaxl when I was talking about people not reading the whole thread (you posted right before me :).

Well, I guess people's being strict about DBZ won't really affect me cuz I don't plan on doing any animation with DBZ, I was just doing a random drawing cuz a) I wanted to test out some drawing and b) I had nothing else to draw (or do for the matter).

[Darkaxl]

Lol oki........Man do i feel Realy DUmb lol

[Rantzien]

At 6/6/05 05:08 AM, Genesis00 wrote: lol, sometimes I wonder if people read only the first post in a thread. Anyway, what do you all think of that drawing above? It was a pain in the ass cuz I use a mouse.

Also, does shape manipulation to make drawings work well>

The face looks pretty good. Yes, if it takes two hours to draw a good face, let it take that long. If you decide that: "Nah, it takes too long, I'll just draw something not quite as good", your submission will be blammed for sure. You see, the Newgrounds users are mean, and if you don't give them what they want, they will think: "It was Ok... But maybe it will be blammed, if I blam it too I'll get a blam point!"

A little look into the mind of a typical NG user.

[Genesis00]

Okay, so I looked at the Ultimate Tut 2 again, and checked out the sprite section. Here's my final product. This time, I used Chrono Trigger cuz I actually like it :).

Crono walking in his room

Please let me know if it's too choppy, too pixelated, or whatever so I can fix it for whenever I decide to make a flash movie with sprites :).

Thanks

[Astropuff]

At 6/7/05 03:03 PM, Genesis00 wrote: Please let me know if it's too choppy, too pixelated, or whatever so I can fix it for whenever I decide to make a flash movie with sprites :).

Thanks

Not really choppy, but just remember that the higher FPS = smoother quality.

[Genesis00]

Ah, ok. Thanks :). What's the recommended FPS for sprite animation...Like 20 maybe? Or even higher...?

Oh, and that would affect the speed of the movements of the characters too, right?

[macdough]

I would say about 24fps. And that sprite looks pretty good for a first attempt!

[Genesis00]

Thanks :). Earlier today I started working on a flash movie (a real one, not another demo/test movie).

[AGH]

These threads have some good tutorials and advice:

Otacon's links
Newbs Flash Help: Tutorials
Denvish's NG Submit Tips For Flash Authors