Adobe® Flash® CS3 Professional Bible

Chapter 1. Understanding the Flash CS3 Framework

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Exploring the uses of Flash CS3

• Identifying Flash file types

• Introducing the structure of Flash documents

Since its humble beginnings as FutureSplash in 1997, the Flash authoring tool and the Flash platform have matured into a powerful tool for deploying a wide range of media content. With every new version released, the possibilities have increased for imaginative and dynamic content creation — for the Web and beyond. Since Adobe's acquisition of Macromedia in 2005, Adobe has responded to the Web development community's unprecedented embrace of Flash by expanding advanced features and enhancing tools for new users. The Adobe user interface is now consistent from powerhouse applications such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Flash, and Adobe Illustrator.

In this chapter, we introduce Flash CS3 and explore the many possibilities that are available for your productions. We also discuss how Flash compares to or enhances other programs that you may be familiar with.

Flash movies are usually viewed in a few different ways. The most common method is from within a Web browser, either as an asset within an HTML page or as a Web site completely comprised of a master Flash movie using several smaller Flash movies as loaded SWF assets. The Flash Player is also available as a stand-alone application (known as a projector), which can be used to view movies without needing a Web browser or the plug-in. This method is commonly used for deployment ...