What's the best way to learn Flash?

[iota]

hi masters,

May I know what the best way to learn flash is?

Some flash tutorials really burdens me for they use tons of symbols and frames . I always lose my ways in thinking how & why.


Thanks a lot for your true guidance.

[JamieR]

Yo Iota :)

I think one of the best ways to learn something new, especially flash, is by trial and error - learning from your mistakes. If you have flash, play with the toolbox of tools and look at other peoples work to get a better insight on how flash is used, how the different features/effects are used and how you can apply them to create extremley artistic stuff ;)

Jamie.

[evo]

You would never learn how to use Flash through trial and error. I'd recommend joining a dedicated forum such as flashkit.com who specialise in flash alone.

Downloading demos and examples to see how something was done is a good way, the best just asking questions and going through tutorials.

As for creating artistic things, can't be done, not with flash alone.

[JamieR]

As for creating artistic things, can't be done, not with flash alone.

Yeah, you would need external graphic applications such as Photoshop and Fireworks to create graphics etc and then import it into flash.

[evo]

Or something along the lines of Swift 3D, 3D Studio Max, Cinema 4D and for really good stuff, SoftImage/Maya.

Though some of the developers I know don't use Photoshop, but either Body Paint, or my personal favourite Corel Painter (http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Products/Display&pfid=1047024307407).

[Itchybug]

You would never learn how to use Flash through trial and error.

Wow, that's kind of a bold statement. I don't think I have learned a thing over the last 20 years that I didn't learn by trial and error. Like Jamie said, just play with the program, learn that way.

Bert

[JamieR]

trial and error is by far one of the best ways to learn new things. I try and get a grasp of new technologies by trial and error as well as looking at other peoples examples and taking tutorials, however tutorials sometimes confuse me. I think that you learn better if you are learning by yourself at your own pace rather than trying to keep upto speed with someone else.

Jamie.

[metalguy639]

trial and error is by far one of the best ways to learn new things. I try and get a grasp of new technologies by trial and error as well as looking at other peoples examples and taking tutorials, however tutorials sometimes confuse me. I think that you learn better if you are learning by yourself at your own pace rather than trying to keep upto speed with someone else.

Jamie.

That's pretty much how I've learned just about everything by trail and error. I do a little bit to the page, then save it and look at it in the browser, if it sucks I scrap it and try again. LOL I've dabled at some small flash things and a few other things in the same dept. And it seems the tutorials are very indepth, which is great, but also not so great if its late, your tired, and it makes you cross-eyed! LOL

MP

[AlexRat]

I'd have to agree that learning through trial and error is the best way.

But if you're a little uncomfortable doing that you might wanna check out the Free tutorials at 'Cartoon Smart'. They're in Quicktime movie format.

The guy's voice is a little annoying and it's less like a step-by-step tutorial and more like an overview of features, but it might help you get on the right track.

Main site = http://www.cartoonsmart.com

Free Flash Tutorials = http://www.freeflashtutorials.com/

[paulhicks]

Do the tutorials that come with flash, and search for beginner tutorials on google or www.flashkit.com. Then try creating your own version with what you have learnt from the tutorials, then you can start using trial and error.

You will start picking up on little tricks and shortcuts as you go.

[enumerator]

May I know what the best way to learn... is?

Well, that depends. If you'd like to explore some notions of learning, try this: Learning Styles (http://www.ncsu.edu/felder-public/ILSdir/styles.htm) (Questionnaire (http://www.engr.ncsu.edu/learningstyles/ilsweb.html)).

[tboss132]

I learnt flash by using the tutorials that came along with it. After that, I gave myself a project and while trying to get it to work, I had to research over the web. Did some things in 5 hours that I could have done in 30 minutes but that was the whole essence. That was the best way I learnt.

[angryjohnny]

Trial and error is a good way to learn the tools of a program yes and some of the greatest things come by making mistakes but I'd have to agree with evo on joining a good flash forum to quickly push your skills... seeing what other people who have been using flash much longer than you have with show you what is possible. If you do not check out what the pros are doing your skills will not advance as quickly. I used to think I was good at photoshop till I got on a good forum.. I can not tell you how fast my skills raised after seeing other work, comparing it with mine and talking with others.
Just when you think you are good and dont have much else to learn you will see something someone else built and it will raise the bar another notch.

[FXdgtal]

yes. learning it is a bit difficult especially for beginners who does not have enough background. you just need practice and practice more and you're all set! :)