Flash design tutorial "Start page"

The MX series of programs have interface elements that are common to all Macromedia web and multimedia authoring products. So, once you are familiar with one of the Macromedia programs, you will be on your way to understanding the others.

THE START PAGE

1.The Start Page is a new feature of Flash MX 2004 and one that is becoming common across many other programs too. It allows you to quickly access files and create new items. When you first begin to use the program it is worthwhile spending some time taking the quick tour of Flash and taking some of the in-built Flash lessons, which you can access from this page.

2.If you don’t want to see this page again, click in the check box to select Don’t show again. If you want to make sure that this page will open each time you open Flash, you need to select this in the preferences. To do this on a Mac, go to Flash>Preferences>On launch>Show Start Page.

3.To do this on a PC, go to Edit > Preferences > Show Start Page.

Menus - Just as in any other software program, access different parts of the software by choosing from the menus at the top of the screen.
Stage - This is where you create and view your design work.
Workspace - The gray area off the edge of the Stage that won't be seen in the final movie. It can be shown or hidden by choosing View 
Work Area.
Tools - To create, select, refine and manipulate design elements. See Chapters 3 and 4 for details about using these tools.
Timeline - A grid showing each frame of the Flash movie. It enables you to work with the element of time, moving horizontally from left to right. The numbers along the top refer to the number of frames in your movie.

Edit Bar - Shows which scene or symbol you are working on and allows you to change the view on the right. Can be turned on or off by selecting Window>Toolbars>Edit Bar.
Layers - Elements can be separated into layers to keep them distinct and are essential if you want to animate them. Layers are stacked vertically – one on top of each other like sheets of paper. See Chapter 4 for more information
about layers.
Panel Sets - Additional windows allowing you to control and manipulate your design elements as well as adding interactivity. These are accessed through the
Windows menu.
Properties Inspector - This is context sensitive and changes according to which part of the interface is selected. If it is not visible, select Window>Properties.