Learn Adobe Animate CC for Interactive Media Adobe Certified Associate Exam Preparation

by Labrecque, Joseph; Schwartz, Rob

• ISBN13: 9780134397818
• ISBN10: 0134397819
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2016-03-07
• Publisher: Adobe Press

Summary

Knowing the industry-standard animation and interactivity tool Adobe Animate CC (previously known as “Flash Professional”) can help you get a foothold in the exciting web design and mobile app-development world. Learn Animate CC by building cool creative projects that will teach you how to:

• Design and animate vector artwork
• Compose an animated greeting card using HTML5
• Build a promotional video with text and images animated in 3D
• Construct a working digital clock using ActionScript
• Design and code an interactive quiz for mobile devices

This study guide uses more than 6 hours of video integrated with text to help you gain real-world skills that will get you started in your career designing and building interactive media using Adobe Animate CC. It lays the foundation for taking the Adobe Certified Associate (ACA) exam in Interactive Media Using Adobe Flash Professional CC (name correct at press time) and helps prepare you for an entry-level position in a competitive job market.

Purchasing this book gives you access to valuable online extras. Follow the instructions in the book’s “Getting Started” section to unlock access to:

• The Web Edition containing instructional video embedded in the complete text of the book with interactive review questions along with product updates
• Downloadable lesson file you need to work through the projects

When creating the Adobe Certified Associate examination, Adobe conducted research to identify the foundational skills students need to effectively communicate using digital media tools. Based on feedback from educators, design professionals, businesses, and educational institutions around the world, the objectives cover entry-level skill expectations for each topic. The ACA exams have proved to be highly successful around the world.

To create this new product, Peachpit and Adobe Press have joined forces with team of outstanding instructors who have a great track record getting students certified: Rob Schwartz and his colleagues at BrainBuffet.com

 

Joseph Labrecque is a senior interactive software engineer at the University of Denver where he also teaches classes on Adobe Animate CC (formerly Flash Professional), web animation, graphics production, and mobile application design. Joseph is an Adobe Education Leader (AEL) and an Adobe Community Professional. He received the Adobe Education Impact Award in 2010 and currently serves on the AEL Advisory Board. Joseph produces written and video content for Adobe Press, Peachpit, O’Reilly, Lynda.com, and BrainBuffet.com.

What you need to use this book: Adobe Animate CC (2015 release) software, for either Windows or Mac OS. (Software not included.)

Author Biography

Joseph Labrecque is senior interactive software engineer for the University of Denver specializing in the creation of expressive desktop, web, and mobile solutions. His work incorporates a strong focus on the Adobe Flash Platform alongside more general web standards initiatives involving the use of HTML5, CSS, JavaScript, and related technologies. Alongside this principal role, he often serves as adjunct faculty communicating upon a variety of web design and development subjects.

He is also the proprietor of Fractured Vision Media, LLC; a digital media production company, technical consultancy, and distribution vehicle for a variety of creative works. He is founder and sole abiding member of the dark ambient recording project An Early Morning Letter, Displaced, whose releases have received international award nominations and underground acclaim.

Joseph is author of a number of written and recorded publications for organizations which include Lynda.com, Peachpit, Adobe Press, Packt, O'Reilly Media, Adobe Systems, and video2brain. He speaks regularly at conferences such as Adobe MAX, 360Conferences, and for a variety of other conferences and community user groups. In 2010, he received an Adobe Impact Award in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the education community. He currently serves as an Adobe Education Leader and Adobe Community Professional.

 

Rob Schwartz is an award winning teacher with over 15 years experience in Technical Education. Rob opened the first Technical High School in the county, McFatter Technical High School, and his teaching is very influenced by that experience. He is a popular speaker at state, local, and national conferences, and often presents for Adobe on Photoshop, Illustrator, and teaching strategies. His focus on Industry Certifications and Problem-Based Learning strategies are the secrets to his success. Rob is also an Adobe Certified Instructor, Adobe Education Leader, and won the prestigious Impact Award from Adobe as well as the #1 Educator World Wide award from Certiport. Find out more about Rob by taking a peek into his online curriculum website at brainbuffet.com. Rob lives and works in South Florida.

Table of Contents

Getting Started x

1 Welcome! 3

About Adobe Learn Books 4

Animate CC vs. Flash Professional CC 4

Getting Acquainted with Animate CC 6

Major Interface Features 9

Let’s Get Going! 13

2 Design a Vector Animation 15

Creating the Project Document 16

Drawing Vector Assets 23

Working with Vector Shapes 29

Time to Animate! 32

Modify Animation through Easing 36

Publishing the Animation for FlashPlayer 39

Challenge! 45

Conclusion 45

3 Construct an Internet Meme Image 47

Starting the Project 48

Using External Graphics 51

Managing Bitmap Images 54

Creating Black Vector Shapes 58

Working with Text Elements 59

Generating an Image 64

Challenge! 67

Conclusion 67

4 Compose an Animated HTML5 Greeting 69

Creating a New HTML5 Canvas

Document 70

Laying Out the Background Elements 73

Drawing the Flowerpot 77

Editing the Flower Graphic Symbol 81

Animating the Flower Stalk with Inverse Kinematics 85

Designing and Animating the Flower Head 88

Create a Personalized Text Message 92

Using JavaScript Code to Stop the Playhead 96

Publishing Your Project for HTML5

Canvas 98

Challenge! 101

Conclusion 101

5 Generate a Promotional Video 103

Video Project Setup 104

Creating Dynamic Backgrounds with Animated Shape Masking 106

Design a 3D Rotating Headshot 109

Animating Your Name with Motion Presets 118

Dynamic Animation with Variable-Width Motion Guides 121

Rendering and Converting the RAW Video 127

Video in Animate CC 130

Challenge! 135

Conclusion 135

6 Tick-Tock…Build a Virtual Clock 137

Working with ActionScript 3.0 138

Creating an Adobe AIR for Desktop Document 140

Building the Basic Clock Visual Elements 144

Designing the Clock’s Animated Movie Clip

Assets 149

Using Imported Audio in an ActionScript

Project 155

A Primer on ActionScript 159

Writing ActionScript to Control the Clock 162

Testing an ActionScript Project 168

Publishing the Clock for Desktop Installation 169

Challenge! 171

Conclusion 171

7 Develop a Mobile Quiz App 173

Creating an Adobe AIR for Mobile

Document 174

Design the App Interface Elements 176

Writing the Application Classes 182

Creating a Bank of Questions 187

App Logic and Flow 195

Publishing the App for Distribution 202

Challenge! 203

Conclusion 203

8 Wrapping It Up! 205

Evaluating Interactive Media Content 206

Where to Go Next 211

9 Leveling Up with Design (online*) 10 Working with Outsiders (online*) ACA Objectives Covered 212 Glossary 217 Index 229