Creative Tip: Free 10-Week Flash Course!
Finally, we’ve got a free, 10-week Flash Course starting in July. This class will be taught by Erik Fadiman. Erik is faculty at Seattle Central Community College Graphic Design and now teaches at our Seattle-area training partner, Luminous Works.
Want to enroll? Sign-up here: Flash CS4 Course Enrollment.
Note: Providing these free training courses requires that we attract a large audience. To offer this class, we need at least 1,000 people signed up to participate, so help us spread the word!
Week 1, July 14 – Animation Basics
Week 2, July 21 – Drawing Tools
Week 3, July 28 – Timeline Basics
Week 4, Aug 4 – Advanced Animation
Week 5, Aug 11 – Symbols & Library
Week 6, Aug 18 – Movieclip Symbols
Week 7, Aug 25 – Type Effects
Week 8, Sep 1 – TBD
Week 9, Sep 8 – ActionScript Basics
Week 10, Sep 15 – Working with Video
And yes, you can pass this offer along to friends, or even post it on your blog. Help spread the word. As I mentioned, we need a minimum of 1,000 people enrolled to make this free class viable.
Read on for an extended Q&A, and to ask your own questions in the comments. Erik is planning the class weeks. If you have a topic you’d like to see him cover, mention it in the comments below.
Q: What Time Do Classes Start?
A: That depends on where you live. People attend these workshops from all over the world. We start at 11AM Tuesday mornings in Seattle. Here are the start times for time zones in the United States:
2PM – Eastern (New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Florida)
1PM – Central (Chicago, Minneapolis, Dallas)
12PM – Mountain (Denver)
11AM – Pacific (Seattle, Los Angeles)
10AM – Alaska
8AM – Hawaii
For international participants, follow this link to see how 11AM in Seattle translates to around time zones around the world: What time is 11AM in Seattle? Here are some example start times for different cities:
7PM – London, Dublin, Algiers, Lagos
8PM – Amsterdam, Paris, Oslo, Prague, Zagreb
9PM – Athens, Jerusalem, Cairo, Kyiv
10PM – Moscow, Dubai
11PM – Tashkent
Midnight – Islamabad
1AM Tuesday – Bangkok, Hanoi, Jakarta
2AM Tuesday – Hong Kong, Beijing, Perth
3AM Tuesday – Tokyo, Seoul
4AM Tuesday – Melbourne, Sydney
5AM Tuesday – Vladivostok
6AM Tuesday – Auckland
Q: How Long Are Classes?
A: Each class is roughly 60 minutes long, with an additional 30-45 minutes for audience questions. The Q&A is typically pretty valuable, so plan to stick around.
Q: What If I Don’t Have Flash CS4?
A: This class is taught with Flash CS4 on the Macintosh. However much of the learning applies to earlier versions of Flash, as well as PC users.
Q: How Many People Can Attend Each Webinar?
A: Our Webinar tool, GoToWebinar, has a limit of 1,000 attendees per class. Based on the popularity of our other free training, we expect to reach that limit on most classes.
Q: Can I Download Recorded Copies of Classes?
A: We record a high-resolution copy of each class, and we plan to make recorded copies available for a slight fee.
Q: Can I Record Copies of the Class Myself?
A: Sure. Once you’ve logged on as an attendee, you are free to record a class using any number of screen recording tools. While we don’t mind you recoding these classes for your own use, we do ask that you don’t post those recordings on the Internet, or share them with others.
Q: How Can This Be Free?
A: We are trying to make a big splash, and we love working with a large audience. Help us spread the word. If we continue to attract a full audience, we’ll be able to keep offering these types of free courses for InDesign, Illustrator, Fireworks, Dreamweaver, and other Adobe products.
Q: Can I Post an Invitation on my Blog?
A: Yes. Please help spread the word. We need as many people as possible enrolled to make this free class format viable for us. You can post a link to the following URL, which we will keep updated as details change:
http://creativetechs.com/freeflashcourse
As a thank-you, we’ll be posting a regular list of the top blogs and websites where people found out about this unique free Photoshop class.
May 26th, 2009 at 6:56 am
What will be covered and at what level (ie, what prerequisites do you recommend)?
May 26th, 2009 at 7:34 am
Can this webinar be watched at anytime that day? Do we have to to watch it the time it starts in our time zone – if we work that would cause problems..
May 26th, 2009 at 8:48 am
I agree with k…what if we work?
May 26th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
are we going to learn web design? Most importantly action script 3.0?
May 27th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Folks -
We’re working with Erik to create an outline for the ten weeks. The plan is to start with the basics and build to the complex. We’ll be happy to post a schedule as soon as we get it nailed down.
If you having Flash skills would benefit your employer you might be able to arrange to attend the webinar at your work. For previous webinars we’ve heard from companies that set up meeting rooms and projectors so that they could have groups of people attend each session.
As with our Photoshop and InDesign webinars we will be recording each session and making those recordings available for purchase and download. That way if you’re unable to attend the live session you can still take advantage of the training. And if you did attend the training you can use the recordings for review in the future.
I’m happy answer other questions. Feel free to email me at training@creativetechs.com.
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:25 am
Can you recommend WinXP recording software, just in case I have to miss a session, for example due to work or summer vacation?
June 22nd, 2009 at 10:30 am
Mark -
I’m afraid I’m not familiar enough with Windows to recommend any recording software.
If you think you’re going to miss a few sessions you’re welcome to pre-purchase the downloads of the course here.
I’m happy answer other questions. Feel free to email me at training@creativetechs.com.
June 28th, 2009 at 2:01 pm
Am very interested! The present InDesign Webinar is fabulous.
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:38 am
Hi
Last week I had a problem watching online live classes because of Time. I’m from India and can’t take classes at 11.30pm in the nite in office.
Any solution
please help
haresh
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:41 am
Very excited and really looking forward to the webinar. Are you going to cover animation file size? How to control, how big is too big, what is acceptable, etc.
Thanks,
Tony
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:46 am
Will any of these sessions include how to make an interesting slideshow with transitions?
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:52 am
Weeeeee!!!! I can’t wait!!! \o/
July 2nd, 2009 at 5:55 am
Your dates are for Tuesdays, but your note says Wednesdays. Can you confirm it’s Tuesdays?
Thanks.
July 2nd, 2009 at 6:11 am
Elisabeth, Yes, these Flash classes are taking place Tuesdays. I’ve corrected that one mistaken mention of Wedesday.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:17 am
I can’t wait for the Flash course. I would like more on Action Script and so I hope the TBD would turn into Action Script Basics and the following week expand on that.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:38 am
My Flash skills are VERY UNEVEN to say the least, and I look very much forward to this class!!! I would very much like to see a couple of things addressed; how to make your file size smaller, more compact and efficient with action scripts applied to one’s “movie clip” and the differences between “movie clip” “symbol”, “button” etc and also how to get your animations on the web as well as the ability to send troublesome Flash files to the instructor to help answer some questions. As you can tell; the excitement is building.
July 2nd, 2009 at 7:44 am
As a former chemist turned publications coordinator at my University, the classes in Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator have been invaluable. I can’t wait to start Flash so I can improve the look and content of our websites. The downloads of the whole course only cost $50 if you get the early discounted price and they are well worth it. You can choose to view the classes at a time convenient to you and you can repeat things that you might miss during the live session.
July 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 am
I too have uneven flash skills and have been struggling with how to take a series of still images (CT or MR images) and output them to a flash file where they advance ONLY when the mouse is clicked and dragged. It would be similar to what happens when they images are on separate frames and you ’scrub the timeline’ in the Flash application.
I am really looking forward to this course.
July 2nd, 2009 at 9:57 am
This is a beginner level course, they’re are no prerequisites.
We will begin with vector animation and keeping it’s file size small.
We will discuss how to make a slideshow with transitions.
We will talk about some rules of web design, but we will not learn ActionScript 3.0. AS3 is a complex programming language which is beyond the scope of this class. We will discuss how to work with buttons and movieClip symbols as well as getting your work up on the web.
July 8th, 2009 at 9:16 am
I bought the CS4 Design bundle for PS and Illustrator, but now I could finally learn how to use the other programs! This is just great. I am looking forward to this course!
Thank you!
July 8th, 2009 at 11:45 am
I am very excited about this class. I can hardly wait!!! I am also glad about the following Dreamweaver class.
Thanks.
July 8th, 2009 at 1:39 pm
I am mostly interested in Flex. Will any of that be covered in this class?
Also, I will miss the first class due to a business trip. Will that be a problem? I have worked with Flash before and am familiar with animation, so I don’t think I will be left too far behind.
July 8th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
Kim -
If you miss the first session, and upon attending the second session, you decide you need to view a recording of that first session you will be able to purchase a download here.
If you have any other questions feel free to email me at training@creativetechs.com.
July 10th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
is any chance to get some video of a lesson after the session?
July 11th, 2009 at 5:25 am
The class will not be covering Flex.
July 11th, 2009 at 11:11 am
If there’s time, I would like to see Bones applied to an imported graphic from Illustrator.
July 12th, 2009 at 9:27 am
Melany -
We are recording all our webinars and making downloads available for purchase as soon as possible after the live presentation. If you’d like to pre-purchase the Flash Course you can do so here.
Feel free to email me other questions at training@creativetechs.com.
July 12th, 2009 at 11:56 am
Wondering if you can show a simple preloader bar with a little AS3 to go with it. I would really love seeing how to do the simple animation part and then seeing how to continue once movie is loaded. I know it’s very basic but think it could help build foundation.
July 13th, 2009 at 8:55 am
I may not be able to make all of the classes… have to work for a living! Will you offer the purchase option, so that class videos can be downloaded for later viewing?
July 13th, 2009 at 9:50 pm
I will be showing simple preloaders in AS2 and AS3 later in the course
July 14th, 2009 at 6:25 am
I haven’t received a confirmation email about how to connect with the live video? How will this be possible?
July 14th, 2009 at 6:35 am
i havent recieved the infomation on how to connect to the live video either??? starts in 3 1/2 hours and thats 4am where i am… was hoping to log in a bit early and start recording??? please let us know???
July 14th, 2009 at 7:44 am
Folks -
You’ll be getting an email with a link about two hours before the class begins. If you’ve never attended one of our webinars before I recommend you follow this link to a short video we made during our Photoshop Course that shows what the webinar login process looks like.
If you have other questions please email us at training@creativetechs.com.
July 14th, 2009 at 9:14 am
Hi guys!
I still haven’t received a link for today’s Flash webinar – can you please send one to me? Thanks! Have a good one!
July 14th, 2009 at 9:18 am
Lisa -
If you miss the email you can get a log in link from the ad in the upper right of our calendar page. Just click on the class logo box.
I’m happy to questions directly. Please email us at training@creativetechs.com.
July 14th, 2009 at 11:55 am
Very disappointed that you are using AS2. I do not want to be a developer but it save them a lot of work (and me money) if things are done in AS3.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
I purchased the downloads of week 1 course but didn’t get everything and can’t get back in to get the rest. Can you send me the downloads, you should have a copy I assume of my receipt.
Thanks!
Peter McKinnon
July 14th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
Could you recommend a good resource to learn Actionscript 3.0? Book, other? Thanks.
July 14th, 2009 at 12:10 pm
Peter -
Please email me directly regarding your Flash Course purchase. Please include the email address used for your Paypal purchases. Paypal does not send me receipts so I will need to look up your purchase online.
John -
I’ll need to leave it to Erik to answer your question.
I’m happy to questions directly. Please email us at training@creativetechs.com.
July 16th, 2009 at 6:00 pm
please email me information regarding purchase of the flash course as I’m not able to attend the webinar for a few weeks. thank you.
karen
July 17th, 2009 at 7:03 am
Karen -
We’d be happy to email you information but I’ll need your email to do it. Please write to us directly at training@creativetechs.com.
July 20th, 2009 at 9:17 am
I purchased the full 10 wk course. Does anyone know if last weeks lesson is available to download?
Thanks
July 20th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Kelly –
Last week’s recordings have been posted and are ready for download. If you have any problems please write to us directly at training@creativetechs.com.
July 21st, 2009 at 10:39 pm
I couldn’t get into the July 21st Webinar. Anytime i tried to sign in it redirect me to the FAQ page. and i had no way of getting into the actual webinar. Please help me figure out why this is so i can attend the next one. thanks.
-Hila
July 22nd, 2009 at 7:30 am
Hilla -
The best way to get technical assistance is to email us directly at training@creativetechs.com. If you have a problem logging in for this class (or any other class) please send an email.
October 7th, 2009 at 6:38 am
Are you running another flash course in the future?
October 7th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Rick -
We don’t have another Flash course currently scheduled but I know we will broadcast another one sometime in the next few months. You can see what our current class schedule is here – http://creativetechs.com/training
October 27th, 2009 at 2:25 am
can i be issued with a certificate after completing my course online
October 27th, 2009 at 7:59 am
Chris -
Those completion certificates only exist as digital files. We present them at the end of each class in order to give folks a chance to take a screen shot of them and print them out for themselves at home. Once the live class has ended the certificates only available to purchasers of the class downloads.