How to Learn Flash CS3 From Scratch

Adobe Flash CS3 was released in 2007, and was the first Flash program to be sold under the Adobe name, previous versions having been released by Macromedia. Although the program was subsequently updated with a CS4 version and most recently CS5, it remains a powerful authoring tool for creating animated, video and interactive content on the Web. An absolute beginner may find using the program daunting at first, but you may be surprised by how quickly you can pick up the basic skills needed to create sophisticated documents.

• 1

  Work through the help tutorials. Flash CS3 comes with access to a sophisticated help application that includes beginner, intermediate and advanced tutorials. The tutorials are very easy to use, with simple, step-by-step instructions, screen shots and thorough explanations. If you are completely new to Flash, it is strongly advisable to work through the entirety of both the beginners and intermediate sections, even when you feel as though you are getting the hang of the program and want to start experimenting yourself. The tutorials are designed to show you how to use the program in the way intended by its designers, and it is important to have this grounding.

• 2

  Experiment. Once you have received the basic grounding from the Flash tutorials, try some experimentation with your own projects. In Flash, you will find that there are often a number of different ways to create the same, or similar, effects. Referring to the help and tutorial sections, try to create the kind of project you eventually want to be creating. For ease of use and skill-building, it is just as important to develop your own techniques and work things out for yourself as it is to be taught the groundwork.

• 3

  Make use of the Internet. When you get stuck and the help section does not seem to offer an answer, you can turn to the Internet for help. You will find countless websites, online forums and well-presented video tutorials that can often explain exactly what you were looking for. Try a search beginning "How do I..." and ending "on Flash CS3" and see what comes up. actionscript.org is a good source of information.

• 4

  Find a CS3 tutorial book. Having a book handy containing all the information you might need can actually save time on online searches and downloads. As Flash CS3 is now a few years old, you will find plenty of second-hand copies around, and copies should also be available to check out of libraries. Try the "Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Bible" by Robert Reinhardt and Snow Dowd or "Flash CS3 for Dummies" by Ellen Finkelstein and Gurdy Leete.

• 5

  Take a course. Most local education centers, libraries and universities offer courses teaching Flash skills. Because these courses are often quite expensive, it is highly recommended, unless you are much more comfortable learning in a class environment, that you take an advanced class once you are already quite familiar with the program and have the basic skills. In this way, a class can be a step towards a professional qualification if you want to make a career of Web design.