RSA Animate - Changing Education Paradigms

via youtube.com

Excellent visual summary by the innovative Sir Ken Robinson.

PE9-Flash: The Success

Well it took about two hours but I did it I drew something in flash alllllllllllllll by myself here you go folks:

It may just be a slightly blurry avocado (which I apparently spelled wrong) but I am inordinately proud of it. Yeah Me!

PE8- Flash: The Frustration

courtesy of stock.xchng

The other night instead of working with the Lynda.com exercise files I decided to try and make an image in Flash all by my lonesome and it was gonna be awesome, possibly even epic. However, even though I have watched every video and done every exercise in the last four chapters of the Lynda.com tutorial, and I can tell you what every tool on the Flash interface is. I don't know how to use them very well.

My first bit of frustration was the fact that  I didn't even know how to create a new project. While, the image in this blog is not of me it is what I looked like at one point when trying to draw in Flash. I eventually decided to take a break and work on my Literature Review which is just as frustrating, but I at least know exactly what I am doing.

What I have learned during this part of the practical experience is that while the Lynda.com tutorials are very helpful in learning a complicated technology like Flash, it is also helpful to work with the software on your own. So, that when you start to work with the program outside of the Lynda.com exercise files, you really know what you are doing rather than just thinking that you do.

BP13 - Final Video

PE7- Flash: The Scary Bits

Courtesy Wikimedia Commons

Over the last three nights rather than spending time with my family I have been working with the Lynda.com Flash tutorial. I have definitely reached the scary bits, or at least the really involved bits that require a laser like focus.

Just getting through chapter three which is entitled, "Moving Beyond Basic Shapes" took me until last night, but now, not only do I know  how to use tools such as pen, and brush to draw shapes I also know how to manipulate them, at least a little.  In addition I learned  how to use the gradient tool and layering options. I am somewhat familiar with layering due to my use of Photoshop for work however, I can now use layers more efficiently to create photos of classrooms... so bonus!

PE6-Flash

Hey look everybody,

I made something in Flash and it only took me like ten tries. ;D

My First Flash cactus

PE5- Flash

I am currently on Chapter 3 of the Lynda.com Flash tutorial. I was hoping to get farther but things like my Literature Review kind of got in the way. I feel like I have a much better understanding of Flash now than five years ago when I took an electronic art class. This may be because the Lynda.com tutorial explains how to use Flash, whereas my instructor just wanted us to create. I would talk about the philosophical debate regarding art and knowing how to use your tools vs. doing what you feel. However that is a whole other blog.

So, the big question is what I have I learned so far?  I've learned a lot about the way the Flash interface is set up, and how to use some of the more basic tools such the deco tool, (who knew you could draw flames) and the shape tools. However the most important thing I have learned is that Flash....at least basic Flash is easier to learn than I thought.  However I am sure that the hard stuff is coming up soon.