FAQ & Instructor Notes

Basic, ACE Edition

Frequently asked questions and instructor notes

This course as originally written and published was designed for the release version of Flash CS6. Adobe’s new Flash CC, while based on CS6, is a constantly evolving product, and software updates may frequently add or change features.

This book has been tested with Flash CC version 13.0.1.808, current as of November 2013. Most features and activities will be identical in behavior to Flash CS6, though not all screenshots and commands will be exactly the same. Flash CC also requires 64-bit Windows 7 or Windows 8: Windows XP is no longer supported. Changes are detailed in the following Course Notes topic, and instructors using Flash CC should review the course against their own software before class. Creative Cloud users may still install Flash CS6, by installing it onto a 32-bit version of Windows 7 or Windows 8.

Topic A0: Classroom setup

All our courses assume that each student has a personal computer to use during the class. Our hands-on approach to learning requires that they do. This topic gives information on how to set up the classroom to teach this course.

Hardware requirements

Each student’s personal computer should have:

· A keyboard and a mouse

· An Intel Pentium 4, Intel Centrino, Intel Xeon, or Intel Core Duo (or compatible) processor

· At least 2 GB of RAM

· 3.5 GB of hard disk space

· A DVD-ROM drive for installation

· A monitor with a minimum resolution of 1280X960 at 24-bit color or better

Software requirements

You will need the following software:

· Microsoft Windows 7 (preferred), or Windows XP with Service Pack 3, or Windows Vista with Service Pack 2

· Flash CS6 Professional

· Mozilla Firefox

Network requirements

The following network components and connectivity are also required for this course:

· Internet access, for the following purposes:

– Downloading the latest critical updates and service packs for Windows

– Downloading the Student Data files from www.axzopress.com
(if necessary)

Classroom setup instructions

Before you teach this course, you will need to perform the following steps to set up each student computer.

1 Install Windows 7 according to the software manufacturer’s instructions. If the student machines have Internet access, and they are behind a software or hardware firewall, install the latest critical updates and service packs.

Note: You can also use Windows Vista or XP, but the screen shots in this course were taken in Windows 7, so students’ screens might look somewhat different.

2 With flat-panel displays, we recommend using the panel’s native resolution for best results. Color depth/quality should be set to High (24 bit) or higher.

3 Display file extensions and hidden files.

a In Windows, click Start and choose Computer.

b Click Organize, choose “Folder and search options,” and click the View tab.

c Clear the checkbox for “Hide extensions for known file types.”

d Select “Show hidden files, folders, and drives” and click OK.

e Close Windows Explorer.

4 Install Adobe Flash CS6 Professional according to the software manufacturer’s instructions.

5 Start Adobe Flash CS6 Professional. Choose Help, Updates to open the Adobe Updater. In the Adobe Updater, click Preferences. Clear all of the checkboxes for automatic notification and reporting on Adobe updates.

Warning: The activities in this course were tested with updated software as of September 2012. If any subsequent Adobe updates include significant changes, some activities might not work exactly as described and some screen shots might not match what students will see on their screens. Therefore, if you choose to update the software, we strongly recommend that you go through the entire course, noting any changes so you can point them out during class.

6 Install Mozilla Firefox and make it the default browser. It can be found for free at Mozilla.org.

7 Install the Flash player. It can be found at get.adobe.com/flashplayer.

8 If you have the data disc that came with this manual, locate the Student Data folder on it and copy it to the desktop of each student computer.

If you don’t have the data disc, you can download the Student Data files for the course:

a Connect to www.axzopress.com.

b Under Downloads, click Instructor-Led Training.

c Browse the subject categories to locate your course. Then click the course title to display a list of available downloads. (You can also access these downloads through our Catalog listings.)

d Click the link(s) for downloading the Student Data files. You can download the files directly to student machines or to a central location on your own network.

e Create a folder named Student Data on the desktop of each student computer.

f Double-click the downloaded zip file(s) and drag the contents into the Student Data folder.

Topic B: Frequently asked questions

There are no frequently asked questions for this course at this time.

Topic C: Course notes

Flash CC changes

When using Flash CC, there will be several changes to setup and activities, as detailed below:

Course setup

· Flash CC is compatible with 64-bit versions of Windows 7 with Service Pack 1 or Windows 8. Windows XP and Windows Vista are not supported.

Activities

In general, many panels and dialog boxes have been changed in layout. When a dialog box or panel differs from a screenshot, use ToolTips if necessary to verify the correct option.

The File Info dialog box has been removed. This affects Unit 1, Activity B-1, where students are expected to add a document title and description. This step can be skipped without otherwise affecting the course.

The Document Settings dialog box has been changed in layout, but contains the same information and options. This affects activities beginning in Unit 1, Activity B-1.

Flash CC only supports output compatible with Flash Player version 10.3 and later. All activities specifying compatibility settings must be adjusted to use 10.3 or later. This affects activities beginning with the Unit 1 Independent Practice Activity, and does not otherwise affect the course.

The Oval tool now has its own space in the tools panel, so any steps that switch between Rectangle and Oval tools will not be needed. Likewise, the Paint Bucket and Ink Bottle tools are separately displayed. This affects activities beginning in Unit 2, Topic B.

To duplicate an object while dragging it in Flash CC, it is necessary to press Alt rather than Ctrl. You can also duplicate an object manually with Ctrl+D. This affects activities beginning in Unit 2, Topic B.

The Spray Brush and Deco tools are deprecated in Flash CC. Unit 2, Activity B-7, “Using the pattern tools” cannot be completed.

ActionScript 2.0 is no longer supported in Flash CC, so all files using it will be converted to ActionScript 3.0 on opening. This affects activities beginning in Unit 3, Topic A.

The Import PSD dialog box has been entirely changed in Flash CC. Layer by layer selection is no longer supported. This affects the following activities:

· To complete Unit 3, Activity B-2, instead select Single Flattened Bitmap under Layer Options, and Editable Text under Text Conversion. The “This Weekend” Layer will not appear in the asset list.

· To complete the import steps in the Unit 3 Independent Practice Activity, import the entire document into the Library, and then delete the background layer.

The Motion Editor is deprecated in Flash CC. Some, but not all, of its features are available under Properties. This affects Unit 5, Activity A-5.

The Bandwidth Profiler is deprecated in Flash CC. As a result, Activity B-2 in Unit 5 cannot be completed. This also affects one step in the following Independent Practice Activity, but this can be skipped.

Topic D: Additional information

There is no additional information for this course at this time.