| WHAT IS FLASH? | |
| Flash is able to create much more interactivity than
a standard web site, due to the fact that the contents of the Flash
'Movie' act in simaler ways to 'executable' files on your computer,
and can be made to be as complex and a good looking as full programs
too. Each 'member' of the content library is allowed to move freely around the boundaries of the movie, and can be set to interact with the users input. Objects or 'Members' can be clicked or linked like a normal web page, but they can be set to move around screen too. They can even move under or over other 'members' or text. It doesn't even have to be the member that is clicked that moves, is can be any member of the library doing anything within the limitations of the possible uses of standard animation. For example colour changes, shape changes, movement, rotation, cell animation, 3D animation or any combination of any or all of them. There are many people who use advanced coding to make games, like the ones found on the Macromedia website Shockwave.com. This is a site built by the people who make Flash, so prepare yourself! |
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| HOW DOES IT WORK? |
 Flash
is by far the most effective way of building a full multimedia site.
This is because of Flash's unique ability to compress images and sounds
into one unbelievably small file. But that's not all. Flash has one
of the most advanced graphic building tools around, with the ability
to create graphics that will re-size and show no signs of degrading
at all.These type of images are called Vector Graphics. Vector Graphics use colours, points, shapes and lines to remember what an image looks like, rather than pixels like standard graphics. This means that if an image, or any part of an image is resized, then no degrading appears at all. Useful for justifying to a percentage rather than a set number of pixels when making your HTML page. So even if you don't want a full flash experience for your web site, there is always a use you probably haven't though of. For example, why not use flash to make an interactive image with sound effects on your site. |
| IMAGES IN FLASH |
| Although the majority of Flash movies use 100% Vector Graphics, it is possible to import other image types such as 'bitmaps' & 'gifs' into Flash. This means that your company logo or personal choice of graphic (Photograph for example) can be placed in the movie where needed. We will also redesign your company logo (within Reason) to make it more acceptable for Flash. This will usually involve making a 'Vector' version of the logo so that clean & clear re-sizing can take place. |
| HTML & ASP INTERGRATION |
| Flash also has the ability to recognise all of the
main commands from HTML and ASP. This means that things like forms,
rollovers, database consultation & result display, and much, much
more can be done. Some advanced browser controls on the other hand can not be imported directly into Flash, but, because Flash Movies must be placed on a HTML page to begin with, any advanced commands can be embedded into the HTML page in the background, and called and activated by the Flash movie. |
| MORE USEFUL INFORMATION |
| Remember, Flash operates like an exe file on your
hard drive, so it can have most of the usual features. Sound effects,
graphics, downloads, uploads, animation and user interactivity are
fine, but the ideas behind them are what makes all the difference.
Flash has many different uses, and many different ways of performing
them, but if you don't know roughly what you want, then all the resources
in the world will not help. As the customer, you will be asked to think of certain aspects of the sites, like the colour scheme, or graphics, but you will only ever need to make an Idea. If you like, you could make sketches or images, roughly outlining what it is you want, as the more you help our team, the better and quicker they can help you. The first step being to agree on a layout for the site, as the content in Flash needs to be made around it's boundaries, and so, the layout must decided on before any content is produced. You don't however have to think of HOW you want it doing. By this we mean that if some kind of original idea is there, like a sketch or even just a written or spoken description, our web designers will take it, and use all their skills and know-how to make it into a real life multimedia experience, but we can only help you if you help us. |