Getting Started > Guide to instructional media
Guide to instructional mediaThe Flash 5 package contains a variety of media to help you learn the program quickly and become proficient in creating your own Flash Player moviesincluding online help that appears in your Web browser, interactive lessons, a tutorial, two printed books, and a regularly updated Web site.
If you are new to Flash, or if you have used only a limited set of its features, start with the lessons. The lessons introduce you to the main features of Flash, letting you practice on isolated examples.
The tutorial introduces the workflow in Flash by showing you how to create a basic movie. The tutorial assumes an understanding of the topics covered in the lessons.
To start with the lessons, choose Help > Lessons > Introduction.
Using Flash and ActionScript Reference Guide
Using Flash contains instructions and information for using all Flash tools and commands. It is provided as both online help and a printed book. The online help contains a variety of Flash Player movies demonstrating effects and features.
The ActionScript Reference Guide contains instructions and information on ActionScript, including writing ActionScript, creating interaction with ActionScript, and a complete ActionScript dictionary. It is provided as both online help and a printed book.
Flash 5 contains three help systems: Using Flash, ActionScript Reference, and ActionScript Dictionary.
For the best experience when using Flash Help, Macromedia strongly recommends that you use Netscape Navigator 4.0 or later or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0 or later on Windows, and Netscape Navigator 4.0 or later or Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.5 or later on the Macintosh. If you use a 3.0 browser, all the content of the movies and the Flash Help is still accessible, but some features (such as Search) will not work. Running Flash and Flash Help simultaneously on a Macintosh may require up to 32 MB of memory, depending on your browser's memory needs.
To use Flash Help:
1 | Choose one of the three help systems from the Help menu. |
2 | Navigate the help topics using any of these features: |
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Contents organizes information by subject. Click top-level entries to view subtopics. |
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Index organizes information like a traditional printed index. Click a term to jump to a related topic. |
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Search finds any character string in all topic text. Search requires a 4.0 or later browser with Java enabled. To search for a phrase, type it into the text entry box.
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To search for files that contain two keywords (for example, layers and style), separate the words with a plus (+) sign.
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To search for files that contain a complete phrase, separate the words with a space. | |
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Previous and Next buttons let you move through the topics within a section.
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The Flash icon links you to the Flash Support Center Web site.
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Macromedia Dashboard for Flash
The Macromedia Dashboard for Flash provides access to resources in the Flash development community directly from within the Flash application. Use the Macromedia Dashboard to get information on a variety of topics related to Flash.
Macromedia posts new content to the Macromedia Dashboard regularly. You can choose whether to manually or automatically update the contents of the Macromedia Dashboard on your computer.
To view the Macromedia Dashboard:
1 | Choose Help > Macromedia Dashboard. |
2 | Click the Dashboard tab and choose a topic. |
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To specify how often the Macromedia Dashboard content is updated:
In the Macromedia Dashboard, select Auto Update to have information updated automatically on a regular basis. Deselect the option if you want to manually update Dashboard content by clicking the Update button.
Note: You must be connected to the Internet to update Dashboard content.
The Flash Support Center Web site is updated regularly with the latest information on Flash, plus advice from expert users, advanced topics, examples, tips, and other updates. Check the Web site often for the latest news on Flash and how to get the most out of the program.