There is one big difference in functionality, however, that I would like to address, and that's the way Motion Tweens are handled. So, if you're using Flash CS3 and watching the CS4 video series, this tutorial will come in handy. But even if you're not watching the video course, this tutorial is a great overview of both the old and new ways of creating Motion Tweens.

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In today's free ActionScript tutorial, you'll learn a better way to create preloaders--a way that doesn't require a bunch of workarounds to get it functioning properly! Enjoy!

Here's the code from the tutorial:

 
myLoader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, onComplete);
myLoader.addEventListener(ProgressEvent.PROGRESS, onProgress);
 
function onProgress(e:ProgressEvent):void
{
	var pct:Number = e.bytesLoaded / e.bytesTotal;
	preloader_mc.bar_mc.scaleX = pct;
}
 
function onComplete(e:Event):void
{
	preloader_mc.x = -1000;
}
 
myLoader.load(new URLRequest("berries.swf"));
 

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In this excerpt, I'll show you how to create an animation where the animated object automatically rotates to face the direction of movement.

Click here to learn more about the 'Flash CS4: Step 1' video training course.

In this excerpt, I'll show you how you can VERY EASILY add video to your Flash website.

Click here to learn more about the 'Flash CS4: Step 1' video training course.

This video course contains over 7 1/2 hours of Flash and ActionScript tutorials.

As a celebration for the grand opening of the School of Flash online store, I'm going to offer these videos for 50% OFF to the first 100 customers that purchase. To take advantage of this offer, when you get to the checkout page, click on the option to pay with PayPal, and you'll be redirected to a page where you can enter in your payment information along with a discount code. Use the following code to receive your discount: 01V5MEFM

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The first course will be entitled  "Flash CS4: Step 1."  This video course, which will be posted for sale within the next day or two, will be an introductory course to the Flash CS4 authoring environment. In it, you will learn the basics of how to draw, animate, and build websites using Flash.

So keep your eyes peeled, my Flash-loving friends, because once it goes up for sale, I'm going to offer this new "Flash CS4: Step 1" training course for 50% off to the first 100 customers!

To be one of the first ones to be notified when this course goes up for sale, be sure to sign up for our newsletter using the form in the right column! These videos will go fast, so you don't want to miss out on this introductory offer!

Hopefully, you'll find the new School of Flash newsletter a useful (and sometimes entertaining) resource as you strive to learn Flash. In the newsletter, I'll let you know when we've added new tutorials, keep you updated with what's going on in the world of Flash, and showcase the websites of other amazing Flash designers.

NOTE: If you've entered your email address before in the small blue box that USED to be on the right-hand side of the page, then please be aware that this is DIFFERENT. The old blue box did not subscribe you to our newsletter, only to our RSS Feed.

In today's video tutorial, I'll show you how to create an ActionScript 3D particle effect that causes multiple stars to animate out in all directions in 3D space. Here is the ActionScript for this tutorial:

var container:MovieClip = new MovieClip();
addChild(container);
 
root.transform.perspectiveProjection.fieldOfView = 120;
 
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, addStar);
 
function addStar(e:Event):void
{
	var mc:star = new star();
	mc.x = stage.stageWidth / 2;
	mc.y = stage.stageHeight / 2;
	mc.z = 0;
	mc.xVel = Math.random() * 4 - 2;
	mc.yVel = Math.random() * 4 - 2;
	mc.zVel = Math.random() * 4 - 2;
	mc.count = 0;
	container.addChild(mc);
	mc.addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, animate);
}
 
function animate(e:Event):void
{
	e.currentTarget.x += e.currentTarget.xVel;
	e.currentTarget.y += e.currentTarget.yVel;
	e.currentTarget.z += e.currentTarget.zVel;
	e.currentTarget.count++;
	if (e.currentTarget.count >= 100)
	{
		e.currentTarget.removeEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, animate);
		container.removeChild(MovieClip(e.currentTarget));
	}
}

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Inverse Kinematics! The feature we've all been waiting for! IK is going to make character animation a lot easier than it once was. With IK, you can build a bone structure to link different pieces of a character or object together in order to make it easier to animate.

In today's video, Craig will discuss how to create and animate bone structures using Flash's Bone Tool.

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If you're familiar with using motion paths in Flash CS3, then you might be a little confused when trying to create your own custom path using Flash CS4. In Flash CS4, a motion path is automatically created any time you create a motion tween, and there is only so much you can do to customize the path that is created for you.

What if you want to create a motion path from scratch in Flash CS4? Well, in this video, I'll show you exactly how to do it, and you'll discover that it has become easier than ever!

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