I am currently in my 2nd year of Graphic Web Design and Web Development, in my 1st year I learnt how to use Flash, further down you will read about my painful experience with regards to using Flash, but for now, I will stick to the positive side of Flash. This software opened a lot of doors to creativity - a new way of thinking and generating ideas – the possibilities with Flash are endless. This is where I learnt more about storyboarding and I realised the importance of planning properly. There was also a level of coding involved when creating transitions,etc between various pages which I really enjoyed. The effort that needs to go in to learning how to use a specific programme to its fullest is endless, there is always more to learn.
In my Flash assignment for college, 1 of the sections we had to do in our assignment was a reflection essay where we were given the platform to share around the obstacles we faced, how we overcame them and kind of vent our frustrations. I took this opportunity to vent about Adobe's CS5 Flash software with great delight. I don't know if anyone else has had the same issues as our whole class where the software kept hanging, not responding, files going corrupt,etc. In particular, the Bone Tool was a big issue in some cases, where whatever settings you had applied or where ever you had used the Bone Tool, at a later stage it would disappear, so what happened was we lost marks in our Flash exam because later when the file was opened by the lecturer it was gone.
My personal opinion is that the software should've never been released with so many issues. I thought to myself how can any software package be released that has issues in the software, I had to constantly keep reminding myself to keep backup after backup of my assignment just in case the files got corrupted. It made working with Flash and working on my assignment painful instead of having that fun and exciting experience, which is what it should be, you should want to explore the software and what it has to offer.
Okay I'm done, “I promise not to vent any more about Adobe Flash Professional.” - Jackie Bonarius.
I have to say, I enjoyed reading your blog. I would have to say that in terms of frustrations, I had the same problems as above mentioned. The bone tool gave me a lot of problems when applying it to objects. In all of my animations I created, I found that the objects which have been linked with the bone tool, disappears after a while.
ReplyDeleteI have one question for you. You said that there was a level of coding involved. What coding can be used with Adobe Flash?
I believe it's called "ActionScript", they say it's a lot like JavaScript ;)
DeleteHey Jackie. Seems like everyone had the same problems with Flash last year, I had it that my exam file went corrupt but luckily I had a back up of that(I think). Personally I am not the biggest flash supporter, just because I believe that it works more against one that with one, however having said that I would really like to find out if CS6 has improved on all the usual flash irritations.
ReplyDeleteOther than that I believe that flash could possibly be a really enjoyable program to use. I also enjoyed some of the humour in the post, as that makes things more interesting and fun to read.
After reading your post, I kept on thinking of the complaints we made about the errors and corrupt files Flash seems to have. But I must admit that I enjoyed animating and keyframing of Flash. The only thing is that one has to be totally dedicated to the project from the beginning. Otherwise you'll sit with brilliant ideas, half done projects and trying not to flip because you might just jinx one file, resulting in corrupt files...but don't get me wrong: I enjoyed Flash every moment. Creating short movie clips, cartoons or even games. Something interactive. Something fun... There's just something about Flash.
ReplyDeleteWhy so downbeat about Flash,yes for sure, it has its many faults, but the things you can do with the program out-weighs the downside of it. I think everybody first have to struggle and from their own experience learn to make back-ups and save regularly.It is part of the everyday life of a designer, so might as well just make it part of your routine.
ReplyDeleteFlash might still be full of hic-ups but every new edition of software is has less errors and can only be improved more by the designers, pin-pointing faulty programming and therefore creating a better design environment for future web and graphic designers.
Ahoyz jackie
ReplyDeleteI see you be hating on the flash product. But hey I agree with you! :P
Adobe Flash professional is a pretty amazing program because of all the features it has and the interaction that can be created with it. But like all programs they have their bug flash just has some really annoying ones that will probably be fixed in future flash products ... hopefully
Your blog post was a good read and you have some good views on Adobe Flash professional
I look forward to see future blog on the Adobe flash professional topic
I enjoyed learning how to use Flash, but I have to agree with you in regards to the problems you faced, it seems that you aren't the only one who had problems last year. I also completely agree with you about the Bone Tool (I find the tool useless and I won't use it unless there is absolutely no other option). But overall I enjoyed Flash, especially creating simple cartoons. I also enjoy learning how to use ActionScript to improve my animations.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoy your blog (the logo looks amazing).
Well flash pro is one of the programs that I enjoy and love but I totally agree with you that why would adobe relies a program that has to many glitches and problems, but have you ever thought that how hard your life as a web designer would be without flash pro? yes it has problems yes we asked them to fix it yes they fix some of the problems but flash pro is a growing program it’s still getting better I mean they have fixed a lot of problems since CS4 so yea there is some progress.
ReplyDeleteBut yes Jackie well done with the blog it is very very well opinioned and structured well done!
I agree with you totally!
ReplyDeleteFlash is an amazing program and opens your mind to many things, creatively and i also had the same issues that you faces especially with the Bone Tool.
Good to know i am not alone:)
Flash is an amazing program! I love this program, it will always be my number one program!
ReplyDeleteAwesome blog, looks epic amazing!
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ReplyDelete