Tutorials 101

How to Animate in Flash - A simple step-by-step video tutorial

2012-01-28T10:37:00.000-08:00

Flash is an excellent program developed by Adobe that can be used to create animation projects. It's got a comprehensive set of tools that allow you to draw, color, shade, and animate your artwork. You can create something as simple as a stick figure animation, or something more complex. This makes Flash a great program for both novice animators and seasoned pros. If you're just starting out with this program, and you would like to learn how to animate in Flash, check out the video tutorial below. It shows you a very basic animation example, teaching you some fundamental Flash concepts along the way. The simple animation example makes it easy for anyone to follow. You'll learn how to draw using the brush tool, and how to add keyframes in order to create your Flash animation. The tutorial is short, clear, and straight-to-the-point. So if you're ready to start learning how to animate in Flash, just click on the play button.

How to Animate in Flash - Video Tutorial for Beginners

For more tutorials on how to animate in Flash, you can visit flashpotential.com.

Creating a Simple Volume Bar in Flash

2012-01-23T18:47:00.000-08:00

In this tutorial, we'll learn how to create a simple volume bar in Flash. We'll create a rectangle that grows bigger or smaller whenever we click on the volume buttons.

Below is the sample file. Click on the buttons to make the volume bar increase or decrease.

NOTE: This sample does NOT have sound. It only shows the volume bar.

Step 1

Use the rectangle tool to draw a vertical bar. This will be our volume bar.

Step 2

Convert the bar into a Movie Clip symbol.

Step 3

In the properties inspector, give it an instance name. I'm going to name it volBar.

Step 4

Double-click on the volume bar on the stage to go inside its timeline.

Step 5

Inside the volume bar movie clip's timeline, insert another keyframe on frame 2. Then insert another keyframe on frame 11. So you should have 3 keyframes.

Step 6

Select the first keyframe, then delete the rectangle on the stage. So now, the first keyframe should be blank.

Why did we make this a blank keyframe?
This frame will be used to represent a volume level of 0, which is why we're making it empty.

Why do we have 11 frames in total?
There's no specific reason for this. You can add or remove more frames if you want. The more frames you have, then the more volume levels you can represent.

Step 7

Select the second keyframe. Then right click on the rectangle shape on the stage and choose Free Transform. Then scale the rectangle down until it's about 10% of its original size.

Step 8

Right-click anywhere in between frames 2 and 11, and choose Create Shape Tween. If you test the movie, you should see the animated bar growing and then disappearing and then growing again repeatedly. We'll be fixing that later when we add the ActionScript code.

Step 9

Go back to the main timeline by clicking on the Scene 1 link in the edit bar.

NOTE: When you go back to the main timeline, the volume bar will disappear. That's ok. It really should disappear because the first keyframe of the volume bar is empty.

Step 10

Create and add 2 button symbol instances on the stage. One will be used as the volume bar increase button, the other will be the volume bar decrease button. Make sure to give them instance names in the properties inspector. I will name them volUp_btn and volDown_btn.

Step 11

Let's add the ActionScript. Create a new layer and name it Actions. Then make sure that layer is selected and then open up the Actions panel.

Step 12

First, we must make the volume bar movie clip animation stop by adding this line:

volBar.stop();

If we don't make it stop, then the volume bar will just keep animating. We only want it to move up or down when we click on the buttons.

Step 13

Next, let's add the event listeners for the buttons so that we can click on them and make the volume bar go up or down. In one of the previous steps, I named the buttons volUp_btn and volDown_btn. For the event listener functions, I will name them volUp and volDown.

volUp_btn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, volUp);
volDown_btn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, volDown);

function volUp(e:MouseEvent):void
{

}

function volDown(e:MouseEvent):void
{

}

Step 14

When we click on the buttons, we either want to move forward or backward through the frames inside the volume bar movie clip, which I've named volBar. The way our animation is made, moving forward makes the volume bar bigger, so it would make sense to move forward in the animation if we want the volume bar to increase. And then moving backwards would be used to do the opposite. To move forward to the next frame of a movie clip, we can use the nextFrame() method of the MovieClip class. To move back, we can use the prevFrame() method. So in the volUp event listener function, we should use nextFrame(). And in the volDown function, we should use prevFrame(). So go back to the event listener functions and add the following lines:

function volUp(e:MouseEvent):void
{
     volBar.nextFrame();
}

function volDown(e:MouseEvent):void
{
     volBar.prevFrame();
}

So now, this means that whenever we click on volUp_btn, the volBar movie clip will move to the next frame of the animation nested inside it. And if we click on volDown_btn, it will go back to the previous frame of the animation nested inside it.

Step 15

Test the movie. You should now be able to click on the buttons and make the volume bar go up or down.

And that concludes this tutorial. For the tutorial on controlling the actual sound volume, go here.

AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

2012-01-18T05:23:00.000-08:00

Check out these AutoCAD 2011 online training videos for beginners. In AutoCAD 2011 Essential Training, teacher and expert Jeff Cartels teaches you AutoCAD 2011 from the ground up. You'll start off with the basics - looking at the interface, getting to know the tools and how to use them, creating simple shapes, etc... And then you'll move on to modifying geometry to create more complex designs, annotating drawings and preparing them for construction, using the AutoCAD 2011 dimensioning tools, and more! The great thing about this course is that it teaches you the fundamentals and is industry neutral. You can take what you learn and apply it to any discipline.

Below you will find some free video tutorials from this excellent AutoCAD 2011 online training course. There are more informative videos in this 6-hour course, which you can access in full by signing up for a lynda.com membership. Lynda.com is an excellent online training provider of high-quality software video training and tutorials. As a special promotion, you can access the entire lynda.com training library, including this AutoCAD 2011 online training course, by signing up for a free 7-day trial pass.

AutoCAD 2011 Essential Training by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 10 FREE VIDEO TUTORIALS FROM THE COURSE

Accessing AutoCAD's tools - AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

Working in a multiple-document environment - AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

Locking angles with the Ortho and Polar modes - AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

Constructing geometry using architectural measurements - AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

Using temporary tracking to find points in space - AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

Rotating elements - AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

Adding and removing from selections - AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

Using existing geometry to set the current layer - AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

Creating bulleted and numbered lists - AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

Modifying properties using the Quick Properties tool - AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: AutoCAD 2011 Essential Training
Author: Jeff Bartels
Duration: 6hrs 48mins
Date of release: 30 July 2010

Chapter 1: Touring the Interface
Understanding model space
Accessing AutoCAD's tools
Leveraging dockable palettes
Monitoring the Status bar
Understanding the anatomy of a command
Customizing AutoCAD's preferences
Accessing help
Saving a workspace

Chapter 2: Opening, Viewing, and Saving Drawings
Opening an AutoCAD drawing
Understanding mouse functions
Zooming, panning, and regenning
Working in a multiple-document environment
Saving your work
Saving time with templates

Chapter 3: Creating Basic Geometry
Constructing lines
Locking angles with the Ortho and Polar modes
Drawing circles
Activating the Heads-Up Display

Chapter 4: Understanding Drawing Units
Defining a unit of measure
Constructing geometry using architectural measurements
Working with metric units

Chapter 5: Maintaining Accuracy
Understanding the Cartesian coordinate system
Locking to geometry using object snaps
Automating object snap selection
Using temporary tracking to find points in space

Chapter 6: Using Specialized Drawing Commands
Drawing rectangles
Drawing polygons
Creating an ellipse
Organizing with hatch patterns

Chapter 7: Making Primary Modifications
Making geometric changes using the property changer
Moving and copying elements
Rotating elements
Trimming and extending geometry
Creating offsets
Erasing elements
Undoing and redoing actions

Chapter 8: Selecting Geometry
Selecting objects using windows
Adding and removing from selections
Using keyboard shortcuts

Chapter 9: Refining Geometry
Creating fillets
Creating chamfers
Copying objects into a rotated pattern
Copying objects into a rectangular pattern
Stretching elements
Creating mirrored copies
Scaling elements
Leveraging grips
Exploding elements
Joining elements together
Editing hatch patterns

Chapter 10: Organizing Drawings
Understanding layers
Creating and adjusting layers
Using layers to organize a drawing
Changing popular settings using the layer control
Understanding the BYLAYER property
Restoring previous layer states
Using existing geometry to set the current layer

Chapter 11: Adding General Annotations
Creating single-line text
Justifying text
Controlling appearance using text styles
Annotating with multi-line text
Editing text
Creating bulleted and numbered lists
Incorporating symbols
Correcting spelling errors

Chapter 12: Dimensioning
Creating general dimensions
Creating continuous and baseline dimensions
Controlling appearance using dimension styles
Modifying dimensions
Creating multileaders
Controlling appearance using multileader styles
Modifying multileaders

Chapter 13: Generating and Managing Reusable Content
Inserting blocks
Creating blocks
Leveraging blocks
Redefining blocks
Building a block library

Chapter 14: Accessing Specialized Tools
Querying a drawing using rollover tooltips
Taking measurements using the Distance command
Modifying properties using the Quick Properties tool
Automating calculations using the Quick Calculator feature

Chapter 15: Plotting
Creating quick plots
Selecting a pen table
Choosing line weights
Creating a layout, pt. 1: Choosing a paper size
Creating a layout, pt. 2: Inserting a title block
Creating a layout, pt. 3: Cutting viewports
Reusing layouts
Organizing layouts

Chapter 16: Creating Properly Sized Annotations on Plotted Drawings
Using the Annotative property to automatically size text
Using the Annotative property to automatically size dimensions
Using the Annotative property to automatically size multileaders
Changing the scale assigned to annotations

Chapter 17: Sharing Data
Saving drawings to other formats
Plotting to PDF
Plotting to the Design Web format
Sending drawings via email

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire AutoCAD 2011 Essential Training course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

Not yet convinced? Try a FREE 7-day trial.
As a special promotion, visitors of this site can get a FREE 7-day trial to lynda.com. This free trial gives you access to their entire training library of over 1000 courses.

If you enjoyed these AutoCAD 2011 online training videos for beginners, sign up for a lynda.com membership to access this entire course.

START LEARNING TODAY!

Learn Revit 2012 Training Videos

2012-01-11T04:11:00.000-08:00

Here are some excellent Revit 2012 training videos for those of you who want to learn Revit 2012. Revit 2012 is an amazing building design and documentation system created by Autodesk. Just click on the video links below to start watching the training videos. You'll learn about the typical drawing tools, how to set up levels, how to import CAD files, and more! These are from the Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 Training Course by the VTC Online University. You can go to VTC.com to check out more of the training courses that they offer.

Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012 Training Course

by VTC Online University

[BECOME A VTC.COM MEMBER]

This training course has 7 hours worth of video tutorials. If you'd like to view the rest of those videos in this training course, sign up for a VTC.com membership.

[LEARN MORE ABOUT VTC.COM]

Visit VTC.com to learn more about their training courses.

Intro to Walls

Drawing Walls
Modifying Walls
Properties
Exterior Shell
Aligning Elements
Parapet and Wall Type
Offsetting Elements
Split / Trim / Extend
Adding Interior Walls
Add More Interior Walls

Doors and Windows

Adding Doors and Windows
Modifying Doors and Windows
Loading Types
Creating Additional Sizes
Practice Doors and Windows
Second Floor Doors
Add and Copy Windows

Curtain Walls

Creating Curtain Walls
Adding Curtain Grids
Modifying Curtain Grids
Curtain Wall Panels
Create a Curtain Wall Panel
Curtain Grid Mullions
Practice Curtain Walls
Practice Mullions
Practice Door in Storefront

Views

Duplicating Views
Callout Views
View Display Setup
Practice Duplicate Views
Callouts and Graphic Overrides
Practice Foundations and Footings
Elevations
Sections
Practice Exterior Elevations
Practice Interior Elevations
Practice Sections

Floors

Creating Floors
Modifying Floors
Shaft Openings
Sloped Floors
Practice Create Floors
Practice Balconies
Copy Floors and Cleanup Connections
Practice Shaft Openings

Components

Adding Components
Modifying Components
Practice Lobby Furniture
Practice More Components

Reflected Ceiling

Creating Ceilings
Sketching and Modifying Ceilings
Ceiling Soffits and Fixtures
Practice Reflected Ceiling Plans
Practice Ceilings and Soffits

Roofs

Creating Roofs
Practice Roofs by Footprint
Practice Roof on Poolhouse
Reference Planes and Work Planes
Roofs by Extrusion
Wall and Roof Intersections
Practice Roofs by Extrusion

Vertical Circulation

Standard Stairs
Stair Properties
Custom Stairs
Creating Ramps
Railings
Practice First Floor Stairs
Practice Upper Floor Stairs
Practice Stand-Alone Railings

Construction Documents

Setting Up Sheets
Views on Sheets
Modify Views on Sheets
Practice Construction Documents
Practice Setup-n-Add Views to Sheets
Printing Sheets

Annotations

Dimensions
Modifying Dimensions
Practice Adding Dimensions
Working with Text
Detail Lines and Symbols
Annotate Construction Documents

Learn Revit 2012 to increase your skills. If you enjoyed these Revit 2012 training videos and you would like to view the entire training course, become a VTC.com member today!

How to use Access 2010 - Tutorials for Beginners

2012-01-07T08:59:00.000-08:00

If you're interested in learning how to use Access 2010, take a look at these very helpful MS Access 2010 tutorials for beginners. These videos are from Access 2010 Essential Training from lynda.com. In this course, Microsoft Certified Expert Alicia Katz Pollock gives a comprehensive overview of creating databases in Access 2010. You'll learn how to build an Access database from scratch - including tables, queries, reports, and macros. Whether you're new to Access or have been using it for years, you'll learn some excellent tips and strategies for effective database design. The videos below are just a few of the videos from the training course. To access the entire course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership or you can try it out first with a free 7-day trial pass. The trial pass gives you full access to the entire lynda.com training library of over 1000 courses.

Access 2010 Essential Training by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 7 FREE VIDEO TUTORIALS FROM THE COURSE

Backstage view - How to use Access 2010 - Tutorials for Beginners

Exploring ribbons - How to use Access 2010 - Tutorials for Beginners

Creating relationships and enforcing referential integrity - How to use Access 2010 - Tutorials for Beginners

Creating data-entry forms - How to use Access 2010 - Tutorials for Beginners

Using the Report Wizard - How to use Access 2010 - Tutorials for Beginners

Formatting reports in Layout view - How to use Access 2010 - Tutorials for Beginners

Creating macros - How to use Access 2010 - Tutorials for Beginners

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Access 2010 Essential Training
Author: Alicia Katz Pollock
Duration: 3hrs 30mins
Date of release: 10 June 2010

Chapter 1: Access Basics
Database concepts and terminology
Starting Access
Creating a new file
Trusting a file
The Quick Access toolbar
Backstage view
Exploring ribbons
Using the Navigation pane
Getting help

Chapter 2: Creating a First Database and Using the Tools
Planning and designing your database
Creating tables using Application Parts
Creating tables in Layout view with Quick Start
Creating and editing tables in Design view
Setting a primary key
Creating a lookup field
Creating multi-value fields
Using calculated fields

Chapter 3: Setting Up the Data
Setting field properties
Setting input masks
Setting validation rules

Chapter 4: Building Structure
Creating relationships and enforcing referential integrity
Viewing subdatasheets

Chapter 5: Formatting and Appearance
Entering data into your tables
Formatting tables
Finding, sorting, and filtering records

Chapter 6: Forms
Creating data-entry forms
Using the Form Wizard
Modifying a form in Layout view
Using Design view
Setting tab stops
Adding buttons to a form
Using navigation forms

Chapter 7: Queries
Introduction to queries
Using the Query Wizard
Creating a query in Design view with criteria
Creating wildcard queries
Creating reusable parameter queries
Creating yes/no queries
Creating "and" and "or" queries
Building calculation queries
Creating statistical queries
Using update queries
Using delete queries
Creating crosstab queries

Chapter 8: Reports
Introduction to reports
Using the Report Wizard
Formatting reports in Layout view
Identifying report structure in Design view
Adding group and sort capabilities to a report
Adding existing fields from other tables
Adding totals and subtotals to a report
Adding conditional formatting and data bars to a report
Creating multi-table reports
Creating mailing labels
Printing reports

Chapter 9: Putting Data to Work
PivotTables
PivotCharts

Chapter 10: Automating with Macros
Creating macros
Attaching macros to objects
Using data macros

Chapter 11: Using Other Applications with Access
Importing Excel and text data
Exporting data into Excel
Exporting to PDF
Exporting into a Word Mail Merge
Publishing to a web browser in HTML or XML
Sharing via email
Collecting data over email
Using Package and Sign
Publishing to SharePoint
Importing and exporting with SharePoint

Chapter 12: Advanced Tools in the Database
Compacting and repairing a database
Using data analysis tools
Encrypting a database and setting a password
Splitting a database

Chapter 13: Customization
Customizing the ribbons
Setting Access options

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Access 2010 Essential Training course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

I hope you found these free MS Access 2010 tutorials helpful. If you'd like to view this entire course on how to use Access 2010, sign up for a lynda.com membership today. Your membership gives you access to the entire lynda.com training library of over 1000 courses.

START LEARNING TODAY!

What is Photography? - Online Photography Classes with Free 7-day Trial

2012-01-07T02:30:00.000-08:00

What is photography? In simple terms, it is the art of taking pictures. But beyond that, photography is much more complex, involving different elements that are technical and artistic. There's lighting, exposure, composition, etc...

So how can we truly learn what photography is? For me, the best way to learn is by doing. So in this page, I've collected a few excellent and well-made photography tutorials to help you get started on learning what photography is. You can follow along with these tutorials using your own digital camera. These free video tutorials are from different online photography classes from lynda.com - one of the best online training providers in the web today. These online photography classes range from the beginners to the intermediate levels.

Scroll down to see the free video tutorials and start the learning process. To get complete access to all the videos from these online photography classes, you can sign up for a free 7-day trial pass to lynda.com. This trial pass gives you full access so you can see for yourself how excellent the lynda.com training library is. They have a library of more than 1000 courses that can be accessed anytime so you can learn at your own pace.

START LEARNING TODAY!

What is Photography? - Online Photography Classes

Foundations of Photography: Exposure - Online Photography Classes
In Foundations of Photography: Exposure, Ben Long helps photographers expand their artistic options by giving them a deep understanding of shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and all other critical exposure practices. This course covers the basic exposure controls provided by all digital SLR cameras, as well as most advanced point-and-shoot models. Learn how to master a camera's metering modes, how to use exposure compensation and bracketing, and much more. By the end of the course, you'll know how to develop an "exposure strategy" that will allow you to effectively employ your exposure knowledge in any shooting situation.

What is exposure?

A word about camera brands

What is a camera?

The aperture

Pressing the shutter button

Shooting sharp images

Noting shutter speed

How aperture is measured

Shooting deep depth of field

ISO: The third exposure parameter

Intentional overexposure

Foundations of Photography: Lenses - Online Photography Classes
In Foundations of Photography: Lenses, Ben Long shows how to choose lenses and take full advantage of their creative options. The course covers fundamental concepts that apply to any camera, such as focal length and camera position, and shows how to evaluate and shop for DSLR lenses. The second half of the course focuses on shooting techniques: controlling autofocus, working with different focal lengths, and managing distortion and flare. The course also examines various filters and contains tips on cleaning and maintaining lenses.

Why does the lens matter?

Shooting wide

Foundations of Photography: Black and White - Online Photography Classes
In Foundations of Photography: Black and White, Ben Long shows photographers how to develop a black and white vocabulary and explains the considerations to take into account when shooting for this medium. The course follows Ben as he goes on location and explains what makes good black and white subject matter and how to visualize the scene in terms of tonal values and contrast rather than color. Along the way, he demonstrates some exposure strategies for getting the best images. Back at the computer, Ben demonstrates techniques for converting the resulting photos into black and white using Photoshop and other imaging tools, and offers tips on printing and output.

Why black and white?

How gray corresponds to color

Foundations of Photography: Composition - Online Photography Classes
In Foundations of Photography: Composition, photographer and author Ben Long explores the concepts of composition, from basics such as the rule of thirds to more advanced topics such as the way the eye travels through a photo. This online photography class addresses how the camera differs from the eye and introduces composition fundamentals, such as balance and point of view. Ben also examines the importance of geometry, light, and color in composition, and looks at how composition can be improved with a variety of post-production techniques. Interspersed throughout the course are workshop sessions that capture the creative energy of a group of photography students; shooting assignments and exercises; and analyses of the work of photographers Paul Taggart and Connie Imboden.

What is composition?

Looking vs. Seeing

Finding and capturing a good photo

Exploring a town

Working a shot, revisited

Thirds: How rectangular frames are weighted

It's the light

Assignment: Finding light

Training Courses for Specific Digital SLR Models
If you own any of the specific digital SLR cameras below, you can click on the links so you can watch more free training videos for each model.
Shooting with the Canon Rebel T3i (600D and Kiss X-5)
Shooting with the Nikon D5100
Shooting with the Canon 60D
Shooting with the Nikon D7000

For those of you who have a compact, point-and-shoot camera, learn how to get pro results with them from this video training course:
Getting Pro Results from a Compact Camera - Online Photography Classes
In Getting Pro Results from a Compact Camera, photographer Derrick Story shows how to use a compact camera to take photos that rival those of far more expensive cameras. In this online photography class, Derrick shows how to get the most out the camera's lens as you shoot wide-angle, telephoto, and even macro shots. Derrick also discusses the camera's exposure system and clarifies the differences among ISO settings and scene modes. He also shows how to get the best pictures in a variety of lighting conditions, including making judicious use of the flash to supplement existing light.

Using sunglasses as a polarizer - Getting Pro Results from a Compact Camera

Shooting telephoto shots - Getting Pro Results from a Compact Camera

So I hope these videos have shed some light on the question: "what is photography?". If you're interested in seeing more of these online photography classes, then sign up for a lynda.com membership today!

START LEARNING TODAY!

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Online Training Courses with a Free 7-day Trial

2012-01-03T01:41:00.000-08:00

I've rounded up some excellent Photoshop CS5 online training courses from the web. These courses are self-paced, video-based training titles that you can access 24/7. And they range from beginner to advanced level training. Below, you'll find video introductions for each course. And as a special promotion, our visitors can get a free 7-day trial pass to gain full access to every single course listed below.

These video training courses are from lynda.com - one of the best training sites in the web today. They have over 1000+ training courses on I.T., programming, multimedia, photography, home computing, business, and more! They get the best experts, and they come out with new training titles on a regular basis. A single membership for as little as $25 gives you one month of full access to their entire training library.

What are the benefits of taking online video training courses?
With online video training courses, you can work at your own pace from the comfort of your own home. You get to see exactly what the author is doing on his or her computer as you watch on your own screen, and you can pause and rewind to suit your desired training pace. With a lynda.com membership, you can access their training library anytime, so it's much easier on your busy schedule.

START LEARNING TODAY!

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS5 ONLINE TRAINING COURSES

Photoshop CS5 Essential Training
Level: Beginner

Get started with Photoshop CS5 in Photoshop CS5 Essential Training. In this Photoshop CS5 online training course, author Michael Ninness demonstrates how to produce the highest quality images with fantastic detail in the shortest amount of time, using a combination of Photoshop CS5, Adobe Bridge, and Camera Raw. This course shows the most efficient ways to perform common editing tasks, including noise reduction, shadow and highlight detail recovery, retouching, and combining multiple images. Along the way, Michael shares the secrets of non-destructive editing, utilizing and mastering Adobe Bridge, Camera Raw, layers, adjustment layers, blending modes, layer masks, and much more.

Photoshop CS5 Essential Training

Click the link above to go to the course details page.

You'll find more information about the course, and some free sample videos.

Photoshp CS5 One-on-One: Fundamentals
Level: Beginner

In Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Fundamentals, author and Photoshop expert Deke McLelland will walk you through Photoshop as if in a classroom environment with just you and him. In this Photoshop CS5 online training course, he'll teach you the essential topics - everything you need to know to get started with Photoshop. Topics include: Adobe Bridge, Zooming and Scrolling, Resolution, Cropping and Straightening Images, Color Correction, Photo Retouching, Layers, Printing, Saving for the Web, and more!

Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Fundamentals

Click the link above to go to the course details page.

You'll find more information about the course, and some free sample videos.

Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Advanced
Level: Intermediate

Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Advanced, the second part of the popular and comprehensive series, updated for CS5, follows internationally renowned Photoshop guru Deke McClelland as he dives into the workings of Photoshop. In this Photoshop CS5 online training course, he explores such digital-age wonders as the Levels and Curves commands, edge-detection filters, advanced compositing techniques, vector-based text, the Liquify filter, and Camera Raw. Deke also teaches tried-and-true methods for sharpening details, smoothing over wrinkles and imperfections, and enhancing colors without harming the original image.

Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Advanced

Click the link above to go to the course details page.

You'll find more information about the course, and some free sample videos.

Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Mastery
Level: Advanced

In Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Mastery, author and Photoshop expert Deke McClelland will take you through Photoshop CS5's most mysterious features - ones that you are least likely to learn through trial and error, but are also the ones that are most likely to have the most profound effect on the quality of your work. In this Photoshop CS5 online training course, you'll learn how to become more efficient at Photoshop CS5, and how to make your artwork look more impeccable. Topics include: The Pen Tool, Masking, Blend Modes, Smart Objects and Smart Filters, Bristle and Mixer Brushes, HDR Pro, Recording Actions, Batch Processing Images, and more!

Photoshop CS5 One-on-One: Mastery

Click the link above to go to the course details page.

You'll find more information about the course, and some free sample videos.

So if you are ready to start with these Photoshop CS5 online training courses, sign up for a lynda.com membership today. A single membership gives you access to all these courses listed above, as well as all the other 1000+ courses in the lynda.com training library.

START LEARNING TODAY!

Learn Digital Audio Production - Training Course for Beginners

2011-12-26T04:06:00.000-08:00

In Digital Audio Principles by lynda.com, let commercial composer, sound designer, and recording engineer Dave Schroeder take you through the basics of digital audio production. In this digital audio production training course for beginners, you'll learn the principles of digital audio, which you can use whether you are producing music, podcasts, game sounds, or film sound effects. The author will teach you important techniques, and cover the essential hardware and software that you'll need for digital audio production.

For more information about the course, and to view a portion of it for free, visit the course details page. To access this entire 7-hour training course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. And as a special promotion, you can get free access for 7 days by signing up for a free 7-day trial pass. This trial pass gives you access to the entire lynda.com training library of over 1000 training courses.

Course Topics

Chapter 1: Sound and Digital Audio
Chapter 2: Digital Audio Workstations
Chapter 3: Microphones
Chapter 4: Cables and Connectors
Chapter 5: Audio Input/Output Devices
Chapter 6: Input Levels and Preamplifiers
Chapter 7: The Mixer
Chapter 8: Monitoring
Chapter 9: Computers and Audio
Chapter 10: Setting Up for Recording
Chapter 11: Digital Audio Software
Chapter 12: Common DAW Components
Chapter 13: Recording and Playback
Chapter 14: Editing
Chapter 15: Plug-ins
Chapter 16: MIDI
Chapter 17: Mixing
Chapter 18: Mastering
Chapter 19: Audio File Compression
Chapter 20: Voice Recording
Chapter 21: Digital Audio Debates

Would you like to access to this excellent digital audio production training course for beginners?

START LEARNING TODAY!

Learn How to Make a Social Networking Website

2011-12-23T11:40:00.000-08:00

Learn how to make a social networking website in this excellent video training course entitled Building Custom Social Networking Websites. Here, you'll get to know the best tools and practices for designing and creating Facebook-like social networking web sites customized for specific targeted audiences or needs.

What you will learn:

The best tools and practices for designing and creating social networking websites
How to design sites that encourage users to interact and communicate with on another and build friendships, trust, and community
How to import content into a site from elsewhere on the Internet
How to encourage users to contribute to the site
How to earn revenue from your social networking website

You'll also be introduced to the following tools for building these social networking websites: Ning, WordPress, Moodle, and Joomla.

To learn more about the course, start watching the video tutorials below:

Course Introduction

What You Will Learn from the Course
Target Audience
Why Build Social Networking Sites

What is a Social Network?

Definition of a Social Network
Options for Creating Your Own Network
Hosted Social Networking Solutions
Self-Hosting Your Own Site
Examples of Custom Social Networks

[LEARN MORE ABOUT VTC] | [SIGN UP FOR A VTC MEMBERSHIP]

About VTC

The Virtual Training Company (VTC) started in California's Silicon Valley in 1996, and is one of the leading online training providers in the web today. They've built up a library of more than 1000 video training courses, which you can access entirely for $30/month.

Here's what some of their satisfied customers have to say:

This site is basically going to save my semester. I will be using it beyond that though. What a great site. Worth every penny. Thank you so much for your product.
- Kevin

Geoff Blake performed superbly on introducing Acrobat forms: clear, well-organized and instructive on the basics of the process. Bravo! I would highly recommend this course to anyone searching for a basic introduction to Acrobat forms.
- Brad B.

Over the course of a few weeks, I received approximately 60 hours of on-line Project Management training from VTC. The training was for a Project Management certification exam and I took 3 courses PMBOK (a bootcamp like course), PMBOK Schedule and PMBOK Risk. The course really prepared me for the test. I particularly found the Schedule and Risk Bundles instructive in expanding my intuitive understanding of these overall processes. The video instructor did a great job of performing the training and her commentary and explanations were right on. Her melodic voice is easy to listen to - she motivates and encourages study. I passed the Project Management Certification on my first try after completing this course of study. Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Good Value.
- Annemarie DeMarco

I joined on the 20th August 2010, and I'm most impressed. I need to learn Excel for my job and at 64 years old I never thought I would ever be able to conquer spreadsheets! I have been practicing along with your tutorials, and I can't believe how quickly I am picking it up. The online course is worth every penny and I will be recommending you and your team for the excellent service and content to anyone who will listen. Magic! By the way I'm not that great on a computer either so if I can do it, then it's a doodle for anyone else!
- Barbara Richards

Are you ready to be part of this community of satisfied learners?

[Become a VTC.com Member TODAY!]

Get complete access to ALL the VTC Online University courses for $30/month

How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

2011-12-19T02:36:00.000-08:00

How to mix audio - If you're new to audio mixing, and would like to learn more in order to improve your skills, then Audio Mixing Bootcamp by lynda.com is a great training course to help you reach your goals. These audio mixing lessons and tutorials are great for beginners and people who'd like to improve their music mixing skills. In this course, you'll learn things like how to optimize your listening environment; efficient ways to prepare and set up a mix; properly balancing your mix; best ways to apply EQ to the different elements in your mix; adding reverb, delay and modulation; the differences between amateur and pro-sounding mixes, and more! To learn more about the course, watch the free audio mixing video tutorials below or visit the course details page. As a special promotion, visitors of Tutorials 101 can get a free 7-day trial pass to get complete access to this course along with the entire lynda.com training library of over 1000 training courses.

Audio Mixing Bootcamp by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 9 FREE VIDEO TUTORIALS FROM THE COURSE

Determining the listening position - How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

Setting up your subgroups - How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

Assigning the drums to a subgroup - How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

Building the mix from the kick - How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

Setting up the compressor - How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

Learning noise gate basics - How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

Understanding equalizer parameters - How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

Equalizing the bass - How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

Equalizing the horns - How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Audio Mixing Bootcamp
Author: Bobby Owsinski
Duration: 8hrs 53mins
Date of release: 11 November 2011

Chapter 1: Improving Your Listening Environment
Determining the listening position
Fixing acoustic problems
Setting up your monitors

Chapter 2: Prepping Your Mix
Setting up your session
Setting up your subgroups
Setting up your effects

Chapter 3: Learning the Basics of Mixing
Developing the groove
Emphasizing the most important elements
Knowing what to avoid

Chapter 4: Building Your Mix
Learning the principles of building a mix
Assigning the drums to a subgroup
Building the mix from the kick
Building the mix from the snare
Building the mix from the toms
Building the mix from the overhead mics
Checking the drum phase
Balancing direct and miked bass channels
Building the mix from the bass
Building the mix from the vocals
Balancing the rhythm section
Balancing the rest of the instruments with the rhythm section
Making a mix without building it
Balancing the harmony vocals

Chapter 5: Panning
Looking at the three main panning areas
Panning the drums
Avoiding pseudo-stereo

Chapter 6: Exploring Compression
Understanding compressor parameters
Setting up the compressor
Compressing the drums
Compressing the room mics
Compressing the bass
Using the New York compression trick
Compressing the clean electric guitars
Compressing the distorted electric guitars
Compressing the acoustic guitars
Compressing the piano
Compressing the electric keyboards
Compressing the vocals
Compressing the horns

Chapter 7: Using Noise Gates and De-Essers
Learning noise gate basics
Using the noise gate on guitars
Using the noise gate on drums
Learning de-esser basics
Using the de-esser on vocals

Chapter 8: Learning About EQ
Understanding equalizer parameters
Learning subtractive equalization
Learning frequency juggling
Using the magic high-pass filter
Learning the principles of equalization

Chapter 9: Applying EQ to the Rhythm Section
Equalizing the kick
Equalizing the snare
Equalizing the rack toms
Equalizing the floor tom
Equalizing the hi-hat
Equalizing the cymbal or the overhead mics
Equalizing the room mics
Equalizing the bass
Editing the bass rhythm
Equalizing the rhythm section

Chapter 10: Applying EQ to the Instruments
Equalizing the electric guitar
Equalizing the acoustic guitar
Equalizing the hand percussion
Equalizing the lead vocals
Equalizing the background vocals
Equalizing the piano
Equalizing the organ
Equalizing the strings
Equalizing the horns

Chapter 11: Understanding Reverb
Learning the principles of reverb
Understanding reverb parameters
Timing the reverb to the track
Equalizing the reverb
Using the two-reverb quick setup
Using the three-reverb setup

Chapter 12: Adding Reverb
Adding reverb to the drums
Adding reverb to the vocals
Adding reverb to the guitars
Adding reverb to the piano
Adding reverb to the organ
Adding reverb to the strings
Adding reverb to the horns
Adding reverb to the percussion
Using reverb to layer the mix

Chapter 13: Adding Delay
Learning delay principles
Understanding delay parameters
Timing the delay to the track
Using delay timing variations
Equalizing the delay
Understanding the Haas effect
Using the three-delay setup
Adding delay to the vocals
Using delay to layer the mix

Chapter 14: Adding Modulation Effects
Understanding the types of modulation
Understanding modulation parameters
Modulating the guitars
Modulating the keyboards
Modulating the vocals
Modulating the strings

Chapter 15: The Final Mix
Mixing with subgroups
Using mix buss compression
Understanding the evils of hypercompression

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Audio Mixing Bootcamp course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

Are you ready to learn how to mix audio and start making great music? If you enjoyed these audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners, then sign up for a lynda.com membership today! Your membership gives you access to this training course, as well as lynda.com's entire library of over 1000 high-quality video training courses.

START LEARNING TODAY!

Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials - Premiere PRO CS5

2011-12-17T22:53:00.000-08:00

If you're interested in learning how to use Premiere CS5, then check out the video tutorials below. These Adobe Premiere CS5 tutorials for beginners are from Premiere Pro CS5 Essential Training - an excellent video training course from lynda.com. Here, you'll learn the fundamentals of this world-class video editing program, and along the way, you'll also learn how to use video to tell compelling stories. Topics include: Adding footage to the Timeline, Making overlay and insert edits, Playing a clip backwards, Understanding pixel aspect ratio and frame rate, Applying motion effects, Cutting video to music, Compositing with green screen and blend modes, Correcting color, Creating titles and lower thirds, Exporting sequences, and more! To learn more about the course, watch the free Premiere CS5 video tutorials below, or you can also visit the course details page. To get access to this entire 5-hour self-paced training course, visitors of Tutorials 101 can sign up for a free 7-day trial pass. You will not only get free and complete access to this course for 7 days, but you'll also get complete access to lynda.com's entire training library of over 1000 courses.

Premiere Pro CS5 Essential Training by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 11 FREE VIDEO TUTORIALS FROM THE COURSE

What is Premiere Pro CS5? - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

The Premiere Pro workflow - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

Adding footage to the Timeline - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

Making basic edits - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

Making preliminary edits - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

Creating overlay and insert edits - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

Changing the speed of a clip - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

Cutting video to music - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

Creating a logo bug - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

Removing a green screen background - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

Creating cinematic color - Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Premiere Pro CS5 Essential Training
Author: Chad Perkins
Duration: 5hrs 06mins
Date of release: 30 April 2010

Chapter 1: Introductory Project
The Premiere Pro workflow
Adding footage to the Timeline
Understanding timecode
Making basic edits
Getting familiar with the interface

Chapter 2: Importing and Organizing Footage
Setting up a new project
Creating a new sequence
Capturing and ingesting footage
Importing files
Sorting and organizing clips

Chapter 3: Basic Video Editing
Making a rough cut
Making preliminary edits
Creating overlay and insert edits
Using video layers to add B-roll
Using ripple edits and ripple delete
Performing slip edits
Using the Razor tool
Moving edit points
Navigating efficiently in the Timeline

Chapter 4: The Art of Video Editing
The job of an editor
When to cut
Avoiding bad edits
The pacing of edits
Using establishing shots
Using emotional cutaways
Fixing problems with cutaways
Matching action

Chapter 5: Helpful Editing Techniques
Using markers
Replacing clips
Exporting a still frame
Creating alternate cuts
Rearranging clips in the Timeline
Targeting tracks
Disconnecting audio and video
Reconnecting offline media

Chapter 6: Adjusting Clip Properties
Adjusting the rubber band
Adjusting clip position
Moving the anchor point
Adjusting clip size and rotation

Chapter 7: Playing with Time
Changing the speed of a clip
Using the Rate Stretch tool
Playing a clip backward

Chapter 8: Attributes of Video
Understanding pixel aspect ratio
Understanding frame rates
About HD standards

Chapter 9: Creating Moving Elements
Using layered Photoshop files
Animating clip position
Fading layers in and out

Chapter 10: Applying Video Transitions
Applying transitions
Using transitions effectively
Setting up the default transition

Chapter 11: Working with Audio
The importance of ambient audio
Cutting video to music
Changing audio volume over time
Fixing audio problems
Censoring audio

Chapter 12: Applying Video Effects
Creating censored video
Creating a lens flare
Creating a logo bug
Creating background textures

Chapter 13: Basic Compositing
Intro to compositing
Removing a green screen background
Compositing with blend modes

Chapter 14: Color Correction
Adjusting white balance
Increasing contrast
Adjusting luminance
Creating cinematic color
Creating a vignette
Creating a day-for-night shot

Chapter 15: Making Titles, Credits, and Lower Thirds
Creating titles
Creating a lower third
Animating rolling credits

Chapter 16: Exporting Video
Exporting sequences from Premiere
Exporting with the Adobe Media Encoder
The most common formats and codecs
Exporting portions of a sequence
Rendering letterboxed footage

Chapter 17: Working with Other Applications
Examining the other apps that come with Premiere
Working with Final Cut Pro

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Premiere Pro CS5 Essential Training course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

If you enjoyed these How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials, and would like to access the entire course, then sign up for a lynda.com membership today! This Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners training course will surely help you get started on your way to becoming a professional video editor. Your lynda.com membership also gives you access to their entire library of over 1000 courses so you can keep learning new things! Start learning today!

START LEARNING TODAY!

Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials for Photoshop CS5 Photographers - Watch Photoshop CS5 Tutorials for Photographers

2011-12-16T23:15:00.000-08:00

How can we use Photoshop from a photographic perspective in order to create engaging and intriguing images? If you're looking for Photoshop CS5 Photography tutorials that will help answer that question, then you might be interested in Photoshop CS5 for Photographers by lynda.com. The high-quality Photoshop CS5 tutorials for photographers in this excellent training course were designed specifically with Photoshop CS5 Photographers in mind. Topics include: Calibrating a monitor; Setting up color and file handling preferences; Processing images in Camera Raw; Making selections and taking advantage of the Refine Edge feature; Masking and selective sharpening; Improving a photo using Content-Aware Fill and the Puppet Warp tool; Enhancing color, tone, and contrast with Levels; Improving underexposure and overexposure using blending; Burning and dodging techniques; Converting an image to black and white; Retouching essentials; Publishing images to the web, and more! Watch the free videos below to learn more about the course, or you can also visit the course details page. And as a special promotion, visitors of Tutorials 101 can get a free 7-day trial pass, which gives you access to this entire course along with all the other training courses by lynda.com.

Photoshop CS5 for Photographers by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 27 FREE VIDEO TUTORIALS FROM THE COURSE

Photography and Photoshop - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Strategies for success - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

What is Adobe Bridge? - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Introducing the Bridge workspace - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Using Bridge to review and evaluate photographs - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Two simple steps for more accurate color - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Creative tip: Setting up your studio - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Combining multiple images - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Resizing images - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Using the basic Camera Raw controls - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Camera raw workflow - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Using the Quick Select tool to remove a background - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Deconstructing how masking works - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Building a mask based on color - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Enhancing color and tone with levels - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Enhancing a portrait with hand-painted masks - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Blending multiple images together - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Creating dramatic sunset colors - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Converting a portrait to black-and-white - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Introducing the trio of healing tools - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Using Content-Aware Fill - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Whitening teeth - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Reducing and removing wrinkles around eyes - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Modifying the body with Puppet Warp - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Removing distortion with Automatic Lens Correction - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Resizing for the web and email - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

Creating a web gallery - Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Photoshop CS5 for Photographers
Author: Chris Orwig
Duration: 12hrs 24mins
Date of release: 11 May 2010

Chapter 1: Strategies and Resources for Learning
Becoming a successful student of Photoshop
Strategies for success
Taking visual snapshots
The importance of the 30-minute blink
Isolation
Creative memorization
Say it out loud
Be prepared for surprises
Why Photoshop CS5?

Chapter 2: Getting Started with Bridge and Mini Bridge
What is Adobe Bridge?
Introducing the Bridge workspace
Using Bridge to review and evaluate photographs
Working with Bridge and Photoshop
Introducing Mini Bridge
Working with Mini Bridge

Chapter 3: Color Settings and Preferences
Choosing your color settings
HUD color picker preferences
Image interpolation preferences
Zoom preferences
Interface preferences
File-handling preferences
Performance preferences
Cursor preferences
Guides and type preview preferences

Chapter 4: The Foundations of Color Management
Introducing color management
Two simple steps for more accurate color
Opening and saving files with embedded profiles
Why color settings and monitor calibration matter
Creative tip: Setting up your studio
Monitor calibration
Color management resources

Chapter 5: Getting Started with Photoshop
Introducing the Tools panel
Working with the Tools panel
Viewing and arranging documents
Combining multiple images
Closing multiple images
Working with panels
Customizing your workspace
Creating custom keyboard shortcuts
Working with the Application bar and Full Screen view
Working with a Wacom tablet

Chapter 6: Understanding Digital Images
Bit depth 101
Introducing image size
Resizing images
Resizing by cropping
Straightening an image
Creative tip: Sizing images correctly

Chapter 7: Camera Raw
Introducing the Camera Raw preferences
Opening images in Camera Raw
Using the basic Camera Raw controls
Color correction and white balance
Processing multiple images
Crop and compose
Converting to black and white
Camera raw workflow
Saving images from Adobe Camera Raw

Chapter 8: Layers
Introducing transparency
Introducing layers
Working with layers
Aligning layers
Creating new layers
Organizing layers
Layer style effects
Creating a clipping mask
Targeting and moving layers
Layers shortcuts

Chapter 9: Making Selections
Using the Magic Wand
Using the Quick Select tool to remove a background
Using the Quick Select tool for creative color effects
Using the Marquee Selection tool
Using the Magnetic Lasso tool
Using the Polygonal Lasso tool
Making color range selections
Using Refine Edge to improve selections
Using Refine Edge with a color range
Introducing paths
Creating a path selection
Using a path selection to improve color

Chapter 10: The Masking Panel
Introducing masking
Deconstructing how masking works
Masking defined
Refining masked edges
Building a mask based on color
Changing a color using a mask
Masking and selective sharpening
Using the Mask panel controls
Quick Mask mode

Chapter 11: Custom Borders
Creating a custom border using masking
Using pre-built borders
Exploring sample image frames

Chapter 12: The Adjustments Panel
Introducing the Adjustments panel
Using Hue/Saturation and the Target Adjustment tool
Adjusting brightness and contrast
Working with vibrance and saturation
Working with adjustment layer presets

Chapter 13: Levels
Introducing levels
Enhancing color and tone with levels
Modifying color and contrast with levels
Using levels to make subjective color shifts
Using levels and masking
Creative tip: Checking in

Chapter 14: Curves
Introducing the Curves dialog box
Demystifying curves
Using curves to modify color, contrast, and tone
Combining selections and masking with curves
Creating hand-painted masks
Enhancing a portrait with hand-painted masks
Using curves to enhance color
Using multiple curves adjustments
Using, modifying, and saving curves presets

Chapter 15: Blending Modes
Creative tip: Blending two elements
Introducing blending modes
Blending modes visualized
Blending multiple images together
Using blending modes to remove white or black
Improving overexposure using blending
Improving underexposure using blending
Blending shortcuts

Chapter 16: Color Correction
Correcting color with the eyedroppers
Correcting color and tone with the eyedroppers
Correcting color with Camera Raw
Camera Raw color correction with a color chart
Color-correcting skin by the numbers

Chapter 17: Enhancing Colors
Replacing color
Replacing color with Hue/Saturation
Modifying color with Selective Color
Modifying multiple colors with Selective Color
Creating dramatic sunset colors
Using Color Balance to improve sunrise colors
Using Color Balance, selections, and masks together
Improving a family portrait with Color Balance
Creative tip: Shoot more

Chapter 18: Burning and Dodging
Creative tip: The digital darkroom
Introducing the Burn and Dodge tools
Using the Burn and Dodge tools
Enhancing dimension with the Burn and Dodge tools
Improving tone with the Burn and Dodge tools
Using Soft Light for burning and dodging
Darkening with the Soft Light blending mode
Adding contrast to the highlights

Chapter 19: Black-and-White Conversion
Introducing black-and-white conversion
Converting a portrait to black-and-white
Converting a landscape to black-and-white
Adding grain and tone to a black-and-white image
Creative tip: Seeing beyond color

Chapter 20: Filters
Adding lens flare
Adding film grain
Introducing Smart Filters
Applying Smart Filters

Chapter 21: Removing Noise
Reducing noise with Surface Blur
Using the Noise Reduction filter
Advanced noise reduction using channels

Chapter 22: Image Cleanup
Using the Dust and Scratches filter
Removing dust and scratches with masking
Introducing the trio of healing tools
Using the Healing and Clone Stamp tools
Healing along edges and areas of contrast
Healing and patching
Using Content-Aware Fill
Using multiple content-aware tools for the best results
Making multiple selections with Content-Aware Fill
Deleting unwanted elements
Removing a garment strap with spot healing
Cleaning up an image with spot healing, cloning, and healing

Chapter 23: Retouching Essentials
Creative tip: Leaving crumbs
Whitening teeth
Improving eyes
Changing eye color
Enhancing makeup
Removing blemishes
Softening skin
Reducing shadows around eyes
Reducing and removing wrinkles around eyes
Improving highlights and shadows
Changing body size and shape with Liquify
Modifying the body with Puppet Warp

Chapter 24: Correcting Distortion and Perspective
Using the Lens Correction filter
Removing distortion with Automatic Lens Correction
Improving a portrait with Lens Correction
Using Free Transform to correct perspective
Using Puppet Warp to correct perspective
Changing a portrait with Puppet Warp

Chapter 25: Sharpening
Introducing Smart Sharpen
Smart Sharpen demystified
Smart Sharpen and masking
Using Smart Sharpen on small details
Using the Unsharp Mask filter
High Pass sharpening an image

Chapter 26: Getting Images Online
Resizing for the web and email
Sharpening for the web and email
Correcting color for the web and email
Saving and exporting images for the web and email
Creating a web gallery
Sharing photos online

Chapter 27: Printing
Desktop printing recommendations
Creating a PDF layout and contact sheets
Resizing and sharpening for a specific print size
Using Soft Proof to preview the print
Using the Print dialog box
Choosing printer settings

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Photoshop CS5 for Photographers course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

If you enjoyed these Photoshop CS5 photography tutorials, then watch this complete Photoshop CS5 Photographers training course. To view this entire course on Photoshop CS5 tutorials for photographers, sign up for a lynda.com membership today! Your membership gives you access to the entire lynda.com library of thousands and thousands of high-quality video tutorials.

START LEARNING TODAY!

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Online Training for Beginners - First 3 Chapters FREE

2011-12-16T07:11:00.000-08:00

The VTC Online University is a great site that offers high-quality software video training. Check out their Adobe Photoshop CS4 Online Training for Beginners course. Scroll down to watch the first 3 chapters for free. Just click on the video links to launch the free video tutorials. Visit the course details page for more information about this Photoshop CS4 online training course for beginners. The entire course contains a total of 9 hours worth of excellent video tutorials. Sign up for a VTC.com membership in order to view the entire course.

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Training

from VTC.com

[Become a VTC.com Member]
Get complete access to ALL the VTC Online University courses for $30/month

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Online Training for Beginners

Introduction

New in Photoshop CS4
System Requirements
RAM Requirements
Peripheral Devices
Work Files

Interface

Document Window
Toolbox
Spring-Loaded Tools
Menus
Panels
Shortcuts
Help
Arrangements

Adobe Bridge

The Bridge
Metadata
Organize
Loupe & Compare

Documents

New Document
Raster vs. Vector
Size & Resolution
Resize Documents
The Canvas
Undo & Step
Drag & Drop

Layers

Add / Delete & Merge
Layer Options
Opacity & Fills
Blend Modes pt. 1
Blend Modes pt. 2
Layer Comps
Adjustment Layers
Layer Styles
Auto Align Layers

Cropping

Crop Tool
Crop & Rotate
Crop Perspective

Navigation

Navigate
Navigator Panel

Color Tools

Color Palettes
Create Swatches
Color Picker & Eyedropper

Selections

Selection Tools
Quick Select
Magic Wand
Marquees & Strokes
Paste Into & Invert
Feather & Anti-alias
Save & Load

Transformation

Content-Aware Scale pt. 1
Content Aware Scale pt. 2
Transform
Free Transform
Warp Tool
Arbitrary Rotation

Adjustments

Adjustments Panel
Curves
Levels
Vibrance Adjustment

Color Correction

Replace Color
Variations
Match Color
Red Eye

Masks

Mask Panel
Vector Masks
Clipping Masks
Quick Mask
Layer Masks
Refine Edge

Type

Type Tools
Fonts & Colors
Type on a Path
Type as a Mask
Edit Type
Rasterize Type

Painting

Gradients
Dodge / Burn & Sponge
Smudge / Sharpen & Blur
The Eraser Tools
Define Patterns

Brushes

Mouse vs. Tablet
Brush Preview
Define Brushes
Brush Dynamics

Drawing

Pen Tool
Edit Paths
Vector Shapes

Filters & Effects

Filter Gallery
Smart Filters
Blurs
Textures
Lighting Effects
Styles
Liquefy
Fade

Smart Objects

Smart Objects pt. 1
Smart Objects pt. 2

Guides & Annotation

Guides
Notes Annotation

Camera Raw

Camera Raw pt. 1
Camera Raw pt. 2

Retouching

Retouching Tools
Clone Stamp
Clone with Two Images
Clone Source
Patch Tool
Dust & Scratches

History

History
Art History Brush
History Brush

Vanishing Point

Vanishing Point pt. 1
Vanishing Point pt. 2

Channels

The Channels Palette
Alpha Channels

Actions

Record Actions
Play Actions

Automation

Batch Rename
PDF Presentation
Droplets
Contact Sheets
Picture Package
Web Photo Gallery

Saving & Exporting

Save Documents
Flatten
Export to Illustrator
PDF

Scanning

Scan in Artwork

Output

Printing
File Formats

Web Preparation

The Slice Tool
Slice Options
Save for Web

Resources

Magazines
Websites

Project: Orbiting Mothership

Mothership Overview
Orbiting Mothership pt. 1
Orbiting Mothership pt. 2
Orbiting Mothership pt. 3
Orbiting Mothership pt. 4
Orbiting Mothership pt. 5

Course Information:

Course: Adobe Photoshop CS4
Author: Dwayne Ferguson
Release Date: 2009-01-16
Duration: 9 hrs / 141 tutorials

About VTC

The Virtual Training Company (VTC) started in California's Silicon Valley in 1996, and is one of the leading online training providers in the web today. They've built up a library of more than 1000 video training courses, which you can access entirely for $30/month.

Here's what some of their satisfied customers have to say:

This site is basically going to save my semester. I will be using it beyond that though. What a great site. Worth every penny. Thank you so much for your product.
- Kevin

My company recently switched out to Outlook 2010, gave us a pamphlet of a few pages covering the very basics. We were lost! Especially coming from Groupwise/Novell. That said, Laurie Ulrich Fuller is an outstanding instructor. This has been the simplest way to explain Outlook 2010. Loved her!!! She made my life easier. Thanks a million!!!
- Celia Esquivel

Geoff Blake performed superbly on introducing Acrobat forms: clear, well-organized and instructive on the basics of the process. Bravo! I would highly recommend this course to anyone searching for a basic introduction to Acrobat forms.
- Brad B.

Over the course of a few weeks, I received approximately 60 hours of on-line Project Managent training from Vanina Mangano through VTC. The training was for Project Management certification exam and I took 3 courses PMBOK (a bootcamp like course), PMBOK Schedule and PMBOK Risk. Vanina really prepared me for the test. I particularly found the Schedule and Risk Bundles instructive in expanding my intuitive understanding of these overall processes. Vanina did a great job of performing the training and her commentary and explanations were right on. Vanina's melodic voice is easy to listen to - she motivates and encourages study. I passed the Project Management Certification on my first try after completing this course of study. Top qualities: Great Results, Personable, Good Value
- Annemarie DeMarco

I joined on the 20th August 2010 to your program and I'm most impressed. I need to learn Excel for my job and at 64 years old I never thought I would ever be able to conquer spreadsheets etc. I have been practicing along with your tutorials since Saturday and I can't believe how quickly I am picking it up. The online course is worth every penny and I will be recommending you and your team for the excellent service and content to anyone who will listen. Magic! By the way I'm not that great on a computer either so if I can do it, then it's a doddle for anyone else!
- Barbara Richards

Are you ready to be part of this community of satisfied learners?

[Become a VTC.com Member TODAY!]

Get complete access to ALL the VTC Online University courses for $30/month

Are you ready to start your Adobe Photoshop CS4 Online Training for Beginners? Then sign up for a VTC.com membership today!

How to Repair Photos in Photoshop - Photo Restoration Tutorials

2011-12-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Learn how to repair photos in Photoshop from photo restoration expert, Janine Smith, in this self-paced online video training course entitled Photo Restoration with Photoshop from lynda.com. In this training course, the author demonstrates different photo restoration techniques by working on examples ranging from the basic to the more challenging. Watch the sample video tutorials below to learn more about the course. You can also sign-up for a free 7-day trial pass to get complete access to the entire lynda.com online training library of over 1000 video training courses

Photo Restoration with Photoshop by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 6 FREE VIDEO TUTORIALS FROM THE COURSE

Assessing the damage - How to repair photos in Photoshop - Photo Restoration Tutorials

Repairing red-eye - How to repair photos in Photoshop - Photo Restoration Tutorials

Removing ink marks - How to repair photos in Photoshop - Photo Restoration Tutorials

Matching colors in elements you add - How to repair photos in Photoshop - Photo Restoration Tutorials

Restoring the faded tone in the face - How to repair photos in Photoshop - Photo Restoration Tutorials

Comparing the image before and after - How to repair photos in Photoshop - Photo Restoration Tutorials

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Photo Restoration with Photoshop
Author: Janine Smith
Duration: 3hrs 53mins
Date of release: 13 October 2011

Chapter 1: Fundamental Restoration Techniques and Tools
Customizing your workspace
Using layers
Assessing the damage
Rebuilding color channels in a grayscale image
Using a Black & White adjustment layer
Using the Clone Stamp, Healing Brush, and Patch tools

Chapter 2: Basic Fixes
Fixing a faded black-and-white photo
Removing small splits, specks, and spots
Repairing red-eye
Reducing paper texture
Reducing dot patterns in printed photos
Fixing lens distortion
Straightening a crooked image

Chapter 3: Fixing Damaged Photos
Fixing large rips, tears, and other damage
Removing long scratches
Fixing creases
Stitching large photos using Photomerge
Reassembling torn photos
Replacing missing pieces

Chapter 4: Fixing Stains, Mold Spots, and Other Problems
Removing stains
Removing ink marks
Repairing adhesive tape damage on a black-and-white photo
Repairing adhesive tape damage on a color photo
Fixing mold damage
Reducing starburst light glare
Reducing eyeglass light glare

Chapter 5: Fixing Exposure Problems
Understanding the basics of levels
Understanding the basics of curves
Finding the black, white, and gray points in an image
Adjusting color levels by channel
Making selective contrast adjustments
Adjusting image shadows and highlights

Chapter 6: Repairing Color
Adjusting color with the Photo Filter adjustment
Correcting color casts using inverse color correction
Correcting color problems using the Color Balance adjustment
Correcting color casts using the Variations command
Correcting color by combining levels and curves
Improving color by adjusting the hue and saturation

Chapter 7: Rebuilding and Recreating Backgrounds and Missing Pieces
Removing distracting elements
Repairing and recreating backgrounds
Extracting areas using masks
Matching colors in elements you add
Matching textures
Replacing facial features and missing body parts

Chapter 8: Final Enhancements
Converting to black and white
Enhancing faded color
Smoothing a subject's skin
Enhancing black-and-white photos with duotone
Enhancing the eyes
Bringing out facial features with light
Sharpening

Chapter 9: Start to Finish: Restoration Project
Assessing the damage
Repairing the crack
Replacing the missing body parts
Removing the specks, spots, and scratches
Fixing the missing corner
Lightening the stains
Restoring the faded tone in the face
Balancing the tone in the image
Evening the color with a Black & White adjustment layer
Cleaning up the image
Adding definition to the face
Softening the image
Sharpening the image
Bringing back some of the original tone
Comparing the image before and after

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Photo Restoration with Photoshop course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

If you'd like to view this course and start learning how to repair photos in Photoshop, then become a lynda.com member today! Your membership gives you access to the entire lynda.com library of thousands and thousands of high-quality video tutorials.

START LEARNING TODAY!

What is Online Marketing? - Online Marketing Training Course - Learn how to Market Online

2011-12-13T10:01:00.000-08:00

What is online marketing? Learn the fundamentals of how to market online in this excellent online marketing training course by lynda.com. In Online Marketing Fundamentals, let Lorrie Thomas Ross take you through the process of how to create a successful online marketing campaign. This excellent training course is ideal for web marketers, web designers, business owners, and executives. Topics include: Working with web analytics software, Building a site map, Selecting a domain name and a web host, Planning for mobile, Conducting social media marketing, Developing an email marketing campaign, Reviewing online public relations, Understanding the difference between search engine marketing (SEM) and search engine optimization (SEO), and more! Visitors of Tutorials101 can access the entire course for free by signing up for a free 7-day trial. You can also learn more about the training course by watching the free videos below.

Online Marketing Fundamentals by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 4 FREE VIDEOS FROM THE COURSE

WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR? - What is Online Marketing? - Online Marketing Training Course - Learn how to Market Online

ONLINE MARKETING DEFINED - What is Online Marketing? - Online Marketing Training Course - Learn how to Market Online

COMPONENTS OF ONLINE MARKETING - What is Online Marketing? - Online Marketing Training Course - Learn how to Market Online

DEFINING YOUR TARGET MARKET - What is Online Marketing? - Online Marketing Training Course - Learn how to Market Online

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Online Marketing Fundamentals
Author: Lorrie Thomas Ross
Duration: 1hr 47mins
Date of release: 07 December 2011

Chapter 1: What Is Online Marketing?
Online marketing defined
How online marketing works
Distinctions of online marketing
Components of online marketing

Chapter 2: Building a Foundation
Online marketing planning and success
Defining your target market
Online marketing measurement

Chapter 3: Planning a Web Site for Online Marketing
Site map
Site components
Wireframing
Elements of a successful site
Home page best practices
Privacy policy

Chapter 4: Building or Optimizing a Web Site for Online Marketing
DIY or hire help?
Web site platforms
Domain names
Choosing a hosting company
Web site maintenance and management
Mobile sites

Chapter 5: Content Marketing
Authority marketing
Article marketing
Social media content
Online PR
Web site and email content

Chapter 6: Search Engine Marketing
Overview of search engine marketing (SEM)
Search engine optimization (SEO)
Paid search
Local search

Chapter 7: Social Media Marketing
Social media, social networking, and social media marketing defined
Blogging and microblogging
Social networking
Video sharing
Social shopping and opinions
Social news and social bookmarking
Social events
Wikis
Social media strategy

Chapter 8: Blogging
To blog or not to blog?
Blogging success
Blog content creation ideas

Chapter 9: Online Advertising
Search ads
Display ads
Affiliate marketing
Social media advertising
Local advertising
Email advertising

Chapter 10: Email Marketing
Collecting email addresses
Using a third-party management company
Email messages

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Online Marketing Fundamentals course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

If you're ready to learn how to market online, then become a lynda.com member today, to start viewing this excellent online marketing training course! Your membership also gives you access to the entire lynda.com library of over 1000 courses.

START LEARNING TODAY!

The AS3 'this' keyword and how to randomize the size of a MovieClip instance on the stage

2011-12-07T04:43:00.000-08:00

In this lesson, we'll learn about the this keyword. But before I explain what the this keyword is, let's first recall that we can put some ActionScript code on keyframes in the main timeline. But we can also put some ActionScript code on the keyframes inside MovieClip symbols as well. If we place ActionScript code on the keyframes inside of MovieClip symbols, then it means that the code is inside the MovieClip symbol's timeline, instead of being on the main timeline.

It's important to take note of this, because the this keyword references whichever object the this keyword is placed in. Is it within the code in the main timeline, or is it within the code nested inside a MovieClip symbol instead? If we placed the this keyword within the code inside one of the keyframes in the main timeline, then the this keyword will refer to the main timeline. If the this keyword was placed inside the timeline of a MovieClip symbol, then the this keyword will refer to the instance of the MovieClip symbol instead (or instances, if there are more than one). So what this is, depends on where this is.

To hopefully make things a little more clear, let's create an example.

Step 1

Create a new Flash ActionScript 3.0 document.

Step 2

Select the first keyframe of the main timeline, then open up the Actions Panel.

Step 3

In the script pane, type:

trace(this);

Let's try to trace this to see what it will output. Basically, when we create this trace statement, it's like we are asking: what is this?

And in this example, the answer to that is: the main timeline. Since we selected the first keyframe of the main timeline when we added the code, this means that our code is on the main timeline. So in this example, this refers to the main timeline.

Step 4

Test the movie.

In the output window, you should see the message: [object MainTimeline]. So the message in the output window confirms that the this keyword in our example refers to the main timeline. It refers to the main timeline since the this keyword was placed in one of the frames of the main timeline. When using the this keyword, this refers to wherever this is.

Step 5

Now let's try placing the this keyword inside a MovieClip symbol instead. But first, go back to the actions panel and erase the trace statement that we placed on the main timeline so as not to make things confusing when we're trying to trace the MovieClip objects we're about to create.

Step 6

Next, let's create the symbol.

Using the oval tool, draw a circle on the stage and convert it into a MovieClip symbol named Circle.

Step 7

Then give the MovieClip instance an instance name.

Make sure that the instance on the stage is selected (do NOT double-click on it because that will bring you inside the MovieClip symbol's timeline). Once it's selected, go to the properties inspector and type circle1_mc in the instance name input field.

Step 8

Now, let's add some ActionScript inside the MovieClip symbol's timeline.

This time, you can double-click on the MovieClip instance on the stage in order to go inside the MovieClip symbol's timeline.

Step 9

Double-check that you are, in fact, inside the MovieClip symbol's timeline by looking at the edit bar. The edit bar should say Scene 1 > Circle.

Step 10

Once you've confirmed that you are inside the MovieClip symbol, add another layer on the timeline, and name it Actions.

Remember: this timeline belongs to the MovieClip symbol. We are not on the main timeline.

Step 11

Then select the first keyframe of the Actions layer, then go to the actions panel and type:

trace(this.name);

Here, we are not simply referencing this, but specifically, we are tracing its name. You can use the this keyword to access properties and methods of objects as well. Basically, in this example, our trace statement is trying to ask: what is the name of this object?

Since the statement that contains the this keyword is inside the MovieClip symbol's timeline, it's going to output circle1_mc in the output window. The this keyword references objects or instances that contain it. So the this keyword is going to refer to the specific instance of the MovieClip symbol on the stage, and not the symbol in the library. This is why it's going to output circle1_mc (which is the instance name), and not Circle (which is the symbol's name).

Step 12

Now let's go back to the main timeline by clicking on the scene 1 link.

Step 13

Once we are back on the main timeline, go to the library and drag another instance of the Circle symbol onto the stage. Give this one circle2_mc for its instance name. Since this is also an instance of the Circle symbol, it's also going to have the same trace statement inside it already. Whatever code you have inside the timeline of a MovieClip symbol will also be inside any of its instances that are on the stage. There is no need for us to add it again. So when we test the movie, Flash is also going to output the name of this second instance in the output window.

Step 14

Go ahead and test the movie.

You should see the names circle1_mc and circle2_mc displayed in the output window.

Why would we want to use the this keyword?
Sometimes, you might want to place some code inside a MovieClip symbol's timeline. That way, every single instance of the MovieClip symbol will have the same code inside it when you place it on the stage. This saves you some time, because you won't have to repeatedly type the same code over and over. You just have to put it inside the MovieClip symbol's timeline once, and then every instance of that MovieClip symbol will have the code already placed inside it. The this keyword lets us explicitly tell Flash that our code is meant for that specific instance that contains the this keyword.

Let's see this in action by adding more code to our example.

Step 15

Go back inside the Circle MovieClip's timeline by double-clicking any of the instances on the stage. Then select the first keyframe of the Actions layer and open up the Actions Panel.

Step 16

Remove the trace statement, and add these lines of code in its place:

this.scaleX = 3;

this.scaleY = 3;

Here, we've added some lines of code that will increase the size of each instance of the MovieClip symbol that we place on the stage. Basically, the code is saying: scale this to 3 times its original size. So when the Flash movie runs, the MovieClip instances on the stage will be 3 times larger.

Step 17

Go back to the main timeline, by clicking on the scene 1 link.

Step 18

From the library, add more instances of the Circle MovieClip symbol until you have ten instances on the stage.

Step 19

Test the movie.

You should see that each circle is now three times larger than its original size. Since we placed the code inside the MovieClip symbol's timeline, instead of the main timeline, then we only had to write those lines once, and each instance will have the same lines of code built-in. This is why every single instance of the Circle MovieClip became bigger.

Step 20

In this next step, we'll modify the code so that each instance of the Circle MovieClip will have a different, randomized size.

Go back to the Circle MovieClip symbol's timeline by double-clicking any of the instances on the stage. Then select the first keyframe of the Actions layer and open up the Actions Panel.

Step 21

In the script pane, replace the current code with this:

var nScale:Number = Math.random() * 3;

this.scaleX = nScale;

this.scaleY = nScale;

The first line of code creates a variable named nScale. And then to this variable, we are assigning the expression Math.random() * 3. What this does is it generates a random number that can be anywhere between 0 and 3. If you want Flash to choose from a higher range of values, then simply replace 3 with a higher value (but don't make it too high since we are going to use it to scale the size of the objects). Then once that random number is generated, the number is assigned to the scaleX and scaleY properties. This is going to happen for each instance of the Circle MovieClip that we have on the stage. So chances are, they'll each generate a different value, thus making them all have different sizes once the Flash movie runs.

Step 22

Test the movie and you should see your circle's all in different sizes. And since the values are generated randomly, you'll see different sizes every time you test the movie.

Expressions and Operators in ActionScript 3

2011-11-30T07:08:00.000-08:00

An expression is something that computes or evaluates into a single value. In a very simple form, a reference to a variable is already an expression. For example:

var quantity:Number = 5;
trace(quantity);

Here, the variable quantity evaluates to a value of 5.

Or an expression can also be made up of multiple values that are manipulated in some kind of operation. For example:

trace(10 + 5);

Here, we have two values: 10 and 5. The values in this expression are referred to as operands. These operands are going to be added together, as signified by the plus symbol. The plus symbol is referred to as the operator in this expression. Operators are special characters that are used to perform operations between values or operands. And once the operation in this example is complete, the expression evaluates to a value of 15.

Let's take a look at some of the operators you can use in ActionScript 3.

Arithmetic Operators

Plus (+)
Minus (-)
Multiply (*)
Divide (/)
Modulo (%)

Examples:

trace(10 + 5);
trace(5 - 3);
trace(2 * 2);
trace(8 / 4);

The Modulo operator returns the remainder from a division operation.

Example:

trace(7 % 2);

This outputs a value of 1, which is the remainder when 7 is divided by 2.

When performing an arithmetic operation on expressions that have more than two different operators, use parentheses to group the operands and operators that you would like to compute for first.

Example:

var nCompute:Number = (4 + 20) / (3 * 2);
trace(nCompute);

In this example, the operations within the parentheses will be computed first, and then the results will be divided. Without the parentheses, the division and multiplication operations will be calculated first, followed by the addition operation, resulting in a different value.

Assignment Operators

Assignment (=)
Addition Assignment (+=)
Subtraction Assignment (-=)
Multiplication Assignment (*=)
Division Assignment (/=)

Assignment operators can be used to assign values to operands.

Example:

var nScore:Number = 10;

In this example, the Assignment operator (=) is used to assign a value of 10 to the nScore variable. The operand to the right of the equals sign is assigned to the operand to the left of the equals sign.

The other assignment operators allow you to write shorthand versions of arithmetic and assignment operations combined.

Example:

var nScore:Number = 10;
trace(nScore += 5); 
// Outputs a value of 15

In this example, nScore += 5 is just the shorthand version of writing nScore = nScore + 5.

Comparison Operators

Equality (==)
Inequality (!=)
Greater than (>)
Less than (<)
Greater than or equal (>=)
Less than or equal (<=)

Comparison operators are used to compare values. An expressions that uses comparison operators will evaluate to either true or false.

Examples:

trace(4 == 4);  
// This expression tests if 4 is equal to 4. 
// This evaluates to true since 4 really is equal to 4.  

trace(6 != 6);  
// This expression tests if 6 is NOT equal to 6. 
// This evaluates to false since the two operands  
// have the same value and are therefore equal.  

trace(10 > 7); 
// This expression tests if 10 is greater than 7.
// Since 10 really is greater than 7,
// then this expression evaluates to true.

Logical Operators

And (&&)
Or (||)

The And and Or logical operators allow you to combine two or more sets of comparison expressions.

If you use the And operator, the comparison expressions you are combining ALL have to be true in order for the entire expression to return a value of true.

Examples:

trace(4 == 4 && 5 == 5);
// This evaluates to true since both comparison expressions are true. 
// 4 is equal to 4 AND 5 is equal to 5.

trace(4 == 4 && 5 == 6);
// This evaluates to false. Even if 4 is equal to 4,
// the second comparison expression is false;
// So the whole thing becomes false.

If you use the Or operator, only one of the expressions needs to be true in order to return a value of true.

Example:

trace(4 == 4 || 5 == 6);
// This still evaluates to true. 
// Even if the second comparison expression is false,
// the first one is still true, so the whole expression
// evaluates to true.

The Not Operator

Not (!)

The Not operator expresses the opposite of a Boolean.

Example:

var compare:Boolean = 10 < 5;
// This evaluates to false since 10 is, in fact,
// not less than 5.

trace(!compare);
// This will output true.

The value of compare is false. In the trace statement however, the variable is being negated by the Not operator, so the trace statement is actually going to output the opposite of false, which is true.

The Concatenation Operator

The Concatenation operator, which also uses the plus (+) sign, allows you to concatenate or combine String values.

Example:

var sFName:String = "John";
var sLName:String = "Doe";
trace(sFName + " " + sLName);
// This outputs John Doe

In this example, the Concatenation operator combines the String values together. In between sFName and sLName are two quotation marks with nothing but a single empty space inside. This is an empty string that just adds a space in between the other two String values.

The Increment and Decrement Operators

Increment (++)
Decrement (--)

The Increment operator increments a numeric value by one (plus 1). The Decrement operator decrements a numeric value by one (minus 1).

Example:

var nScore:Number = 10;
nScore++;
trace(nScore); 
// Outputs 11 (10 + 1)

In this example, nScore++ is the same as writing nScore = nScore + 1 or nScore += 1.

NOTE: If you try to trace nScore++ immediately like so:

var nScore:Number = 10;

trace(nScore++);

This will still output a value of 10. When using the increment and decrement operators, the variable will be traced first, so the original value will come out. Only after that will it be incremented or decremented. To avoid that, you can put the operator before the variable like so:
trace(++nScore);

And that concludes this lesson on expressions and operators in ActionScript 3.

Local and Global Variables in AS3

2011-11-30T02:03:00.000-08:00

In the example below, you will see two variable declarations and one function:

var outsideVar:String = "outside of the function";

function myFunction():void
{
     var insideVar:String = "inside of the function";
}

myFunction();

In the example above, we have a variable named outsideVar that's declared outside of the function, and another one named insideVar that's declared inside of the function.

Variables that are declared inside functions are referred to as local variables. So in this example, insideVar is a local variable. It is important to make this distinction because a local variable can be accessed only within the function that it was declared in.

Try to trace the local variable using a trace statement, but place this trace statement OUTSIDE of the function:

var outsideVar:String = "outside of the function";

function myFunction():void
{
     var insideVar:String = "inside of the function";
}

myFunction();

trace(insideVar);

Test the movie, and you will see that this will result in an error message that says: Access of undefined property. The undefined property being referred to in this case is the local variable that you are trying to access. It's being seen as undefined because the trace statement can't find the variable. This is because the variable is inside the function and is therefore local, while the statement trying to access it is outside of the function. Trying to access a local variable from outside the function will not work. Think of it this way: it's like the function is hiding the local variable from all the outsiders. Only the ones inside the function can see it. Everyone else can't.

So if we put the trace statement inside the function instead, we'll be able to trace the local variable when the function is called (remember to call the function, otherwise it won't run).

var outsideVar:String = "outside of the function";

function myFunction():void
{
     var insideVar:String = "inside of the function";
     trace(insideVar);
}

myFunction();

So now, if you test the movie, you'll be able to see the value of the local variable displayed in the output window.

On the other hand, a variable that's declared outside of a function can be accessed from inside a function as well as outside. For example, if we try to trace outsideVar using a trace statement inside the function, this will not give us any errors:

var outsideVar:String = "outside of the function";

function myFunction():void
{
     var insideVar:String = "inside of the function";
     trace(insideVar);
     trace(outsideVar);
}

myFunction();

If we try to trace outsideVar from outside of the function, we won't get any errors as well:

var outsideVar:String = "outside of the function";

function myFunction():void
{
     var insideVar:String = "inside of the function";
     trace(insideVar);
}

myFunction();

trace(outsideVar);

The variable named outsideVar, which we declared outside of the function, is referred to as a global variable - it is a variable that can be accessed in all areas of our code. We can access it from inside functions or outside of them.

Deciding between making a variable global or local
If you need the variable to be accessed in all areas of your code, then you can make it global by declaring it outside of any function. If the variable is only going to be used within a function's body and nowhere else, then make it local by declaring it inside the function that's going to use it.

Creating Optional Parameters in AS3

2011-11-30T02:02:00.000-08:00

When a function has parameters, you don't always need to pass arguments to them. You can create parameters that are optional. To make a parameter optional, assign a value to it when it is created. This value will become the parameter's default value - the value that will be used when no argument is passed to it. Below is an example:

function greetPerson(greeting:String = "Hello", firstName:String = "John"):void
{
     trace(greeting + " " + firstName);
}

greetPerson();
greetPerson("Hi","Susan");

If you call this function without passing any arguments, then the default values assigned to the parameters will be used. If you pass arguments, then these arguments will replace the default values.

If your parameters have no default values, then they become required parameters. This means that you must pass arguments to them whenever you call the function.

function greetPerson(greeting:String, firstName:String):void
{
     trace(greeting + " " + firstName);
}

greetPerson();
// This function call will result in an error.
// Since the function parameters have no default values,
// arguments must be passed to them.
// Not passing any arguments to a function
// with required parameters will result in an error.

If you want to make some parameters required while making the other parameters optional, the required parameters must be defined first. The optional parameters should only be defined at the end of the parameter list, after all of the required parameters have been defined.

In the example below, the first two parameters have no default values assigned to them so this makes them both required parameters. And then a third optional parameter is added only after the first two required parameters have been defined.

function greetPerson(greeting:String, firstName:String, lastName:String = "Doe"):void
{
     trace(greeting + " " + firstName + " " + lastName);
}

greetPerson("Hello","John");

If we placed the optional parameter at the beginning of this function's parameter list instead, then this would have resulted in an error.

Adding Function Parameters in ActionScript 3

2011-11-30T01:47:00.001-08:00

Learn how to make your functions more flexible by adding function parameters. This introductory Flash ActionScript 3 video tutorial will teach you how.

Writing Functions in ActionScript 3

2011-11-30T01:39:00.000-08:00

Learn how to write functions in ActionScript 3 in this introductory Flash ActionScript 3 video tutorial.

PART 3 - Fun with ActionScript 3 variables: Complete the story - Introduction to Flash AS3 Variables

2011-11-28T08:56:00.000-08:00

Create a new Flash ActionScript 3.0 document. Then copy the code below and paste it in the script pane of the Actions Panel. Do not read the trace statement! You many only read the variables.

Your task is to replace the value of each variable with whatever is suggested in order to complete the story in the trace statement. Do not remove the quotation marks when you replace the values. Once all the values have been replaced, test your movie, then go to the output window to read your story.

After completing this exercise, try making your own version, and ask your friends to fill in the variables.

var popArtist:String = "name of famous pop artist";
var cheese:String = "name of type of cheese";
var chemElement:String = "name of chemical element";
var bodyPart:String = "name of external body part";
var internalOrgan:String = "name of internal organ";
var songTitle:String = "title of cheesy love song";
var fighter:String = "name of famous martial artist or boxer";
var fungalInfection:String = "name of a type of fungal skin infection";

trace("A new superhero has been spotted around campus, leaping from building to building. Who is he? Are you sure you wanna know?\n\nRumor has it that this superhero is a student on campus who was bitten by a radioactive " + popArtist + ". When he woke up, he felt very strange, but still decided to attend class. His classmates thought he was acting strange, and they began to avoid him because he started smelling like " + cheese + " mixed with burnt " + chemElement + ".\n\nBut things changed when a crime occurred on campus in the afternoon of that same day. A young girl was being held at gunpoint, and was being asked to surrender her fake " + bodyPart + ". Then out of nowhere, a blurry figure came rushing to save the girl! It was the student who smelled like " + cheese + " and " + chemElement + "! He was now dressed in a lovely costume designed by " + fighter + ". With great speed, he went straight for the gunman and kicked him right in the " + internalOrgan + ". He kicked him with such great force that it made the gunamn scream: " + songTitle + "! And then the gunman ran away. The young girl was safe. And the students cheered!\n\nHappy and thankful, the young girl came up to her savior, gave him a kiss on the cheek and asked, \"What is your name, kind sir?\" To which our brave superhero replied: I am " + fungalInfection + " Man!");

//Story credits:
//dip magazine, August 2002 issue

<< PREV: Variable Naming Rules and Conventions - Introduction to Flash AS3 Variables - PART 2

Migrating custom fields from Drupal 6 - Data reporting and visualization in Drupal 7

2011-11-25T01:44:00.000-08:00

Learn how to migrate custom fields from Drupal 6 to Drupal 7 in this video tutorial. This is from the Drupal 7: Reporting and Visualizing Data training course by lynda.com. Visit the course details page to learn more. Visitors of this site can also get a free 7-day trial pass for complete access to the entire lynda.com library of over 1000 courses.

Migrating custom fields from Drupal 6

[COURSE DETAILS PAGE] | [FREE 7-DAY TRIAL]

Data reporting and visualization in Drupal 7 - Website Example

2011-11-25T01:37:00.000-08:00

In this video, the author shows you an example of a yoga studio's website that uses Drupal 7 to report and visualize data. This is from the Drupal 7: Reporting and Visualizing Data training course by lynda.com. Visit the course details page to learn more. Visitors of this site can also get a free 7-day trial pass for complete access to the entire lynda.com library of over 1000 courses.

[COURSE DETAILS PAGE] | [FREE 7-DAY TRIAL]

Adobe Flash CS5 and ActionScript 3 Video Tutorials in French

2011-11-20T11:33:00.000-08:00

Course: Tutorom Adobe Flash CS5 Nouveautés et ActionScript 3.0
Author: Rachel Thiebaud
Training Site: VTC Online University.

Below, you will find free sample videos to an Adobe Flash CS5 and ActionScript 3 training course in French. This course is provided by the VTC Online University. If you wish to view the entire course, learn more about the VTC Online University and sign-up for a membership.

Introduction

Présentation du tutorom
Nouveautés d'Adobe Flash CS5
Travail collaboratif : format de fichier .xfl

Créer du texte avec le nouvel outil TLF

Créer des paragraphes
Formater du texte
Créer des colonnes
Relier des blocs de texte entre les images

Dessiner et animer des décors avec l'outil Déco

Dessiner avec de nouveaux remplissages
Nouveau : dessiner des images animées

Animer avec un squelette

Utiliser les modèles d'animation Flash
Créer un squelette avec l'outil Segment
Créer un effet de ressort avec l'outil Segment

Les bases d'ActionScript 3.0

Introduction et nouveautés
Fenêtre Actions : panneaux et assistant de script
Fenêtre Actions : barre d'outils de code
Objets : classe et propriété
Objets : méthode et fonction
Variables
Expressions - Types de données
Syntaxe de code
Externaliser le code A.S

Coder avec les fragments de code AS 3.0

Créer un lien vers une page web
Créer un lien vers une animation
Contrôler l'animation avec des boutons Stop et Play
Déclencher une animation - Événements de souris (clic - survol…)
Déplacer un objet avec les flèches du clavier
Ajouter une action de glisser-déposer sur une image
Cliquer pour positionner un objet
Placer l'objet au premier plan
Faire disparaître une image en fondu
Cliquer pour masquer l'objet
Afficher un objet
Cliquer pour afficher un champ de texte
Personnaliser le curseur de la souris
Générer un numéro aléatoire
Afficher le temps - Compte à rebours

Animer avec les fragments de code AS 3.0

Animation de pixels en pixels
Animation fluide
Rotation
Copier un code d'animation

Les fragments de code AS 3.0 pour texte et images

Cliquer pour charger des images de la bibliothèque
Ajouter - Supprimer instances de la bibliothèque
Charger du texte externe

Créer un diaporama avec des boutons

Créer des boutons reliés à des images externes
Charger des images externes

Créer un menu déroulant

Créer un menu principal et des sous-menus
Créer un menu déroulant animé
Créer des boutons de menu
Fermer un menu déroulant

Utiliser les fragments de code AS 3.0 pour la vidéo

Introduction et nouveautés
Paramétrer le lecteur FLVPlayback
Extraire une image de la vidéo comme image de prévisualisation
Charger l'image de prévisualisation
Lancer la vidéo après la prévisualisation
Nouveau : insérer des points de repères directement dans Flash
Insérer des sous-titres
Lire plusieurs vidéos avec des boutons
Lire plusieurs vidéos avec une Playlist
Créer le code pour la Playlist

Conclusion

Résumé et aide
Présentation de l'auteur

PART 2 - Variable Naming Rules and Conventions - Introduction to Flash AS3 Variables

2011-11-19T03:22:00.000-08:00

Variable names are author-defined. This means that you, as the author of the Flash ActionScript 3.0 project, will decide which names to give your variables. But there are still some rules that you have to follow. In this part of the Introduction to Flash AS3 Variables tutorial series, we'll take a look at what those rules are. We'll also take a look at some commonly used naming conventions when it comes to working with variables.

Variable Naming Rules

Rule #1: Do not use any ActionScript 3.0 reserved words (also referred to as keywords) to name a variable.

Examples:

var var:Number;
var this:String;
var new:Boolean;

The examples above are unacceptable because var, this, and new are all ActionScript 3.0 reserved words.

Rule #2: Variable names must be unique.

The example below will generate an error message:

var myVariable:Number;
var myVariable:String;

Even if each variable is assigned a different data type, the names are the same. This will create a conflict between the two variables.

Rule #3: Variable names are case-sensitive

The following variables are considered two different variables:

var myVariable:Number;
var myvariable:Number;

In the examples above, one variable name has an uppercase V, while the other one has a lowercase v. Because of this, these two variables are considered entirely different from each other. They will not create a conflict. And it does not matter that they both have the same data type; they are still two separate variables.

Rule #4: Variable names can only use letters, numerical characters, the underscore, and the dollar sign.

The following example is unacceptable because it uses the @ sign in the variable name:

var myV@riable:String;

The underscore and the dollar sign are the only special characters that can be used when naming variables. No other special characters can be used.

Rule #5: A Variable name can only start with either a letter, an underscore or the dollar sign.

The following example is unacceptable:

var 1_variable:Number;

Although this variable name does not use any unacceptable characters, it does begin with a numerical character. Variable names can only begin with either a letter, an underscore or the dollar sign.

An acceptable version of the example above would be:

var variable_1:Number;

Here, since it does not use any unacceptable characters and it DOES NOT START with a numerical character, then the variable name is acceptable.

Rule #6: Variable names cannot contain spaces.

The following example is unacceptable because the variable name contains a space:

var my variable:Boolean;

Some Variable Naming Conventions

The following items are not rules used in naming variables, but are more of commonly-used practices and styles. You do not have to follow these suggestions, but they might help make your code more organized and easier to understand.

#1 Use variable names that are descriptive of the type of data they will hold or the purpose they will serve.

Instead of using generic variable names such as:

var string1:String = "John";
var string2:String = "Smith";
var number1:Number = 2012;

Consider using more descriptive alternatives:

var firstName:String = "John";
var lastName:String = "Smith";
var year:Number = 2012;

#2 If you want to combine different words in one variable name, you can differentiate these words by using uppercase and lowercase letters.

Instead of using:

var myvariable:Number;

Consider using:

var myVariable:Number;

This is a practice referred to as camel casing, because the visual bumps created by the uppercase letters are similar to the humps on a camel's back.

#3 You can prefix your variable names with a character that is descriptive of its data type, such as s for a String variable or n for a Number variable.

Examples:

var sTitle:String = "Learning ActionScript 3.0";
var nScore:Number = 99;
var bActive:Boolean = false;

This is a convention know as the Hungarian notation.

And that concludes this tutorial series on an Introduction to Flash ActionScript 3.0 Variables.

<<PREV: Creating ActionScript 3 Variables and Assigning Values to them - Introduction to Flash AS3 Variables - PART 1

Fun with Variables: Complete the Story - Introduction to Flash AS3 Variables - PART 3: NEXT>>

PART 1 - Creating ActionScript 3 Variables and Assigning Values to them - Introduction to Flash AS3 Variables

2011-11-19T02:42:00.000-08:00

Welcome to this tutorial series on an Introduction to Flash AS3 Variables. In part 1 of this series, we'll talk about what variables are, see some basic examples, and learn how to create them.

What is a variable?
Think of a variable as a container. It's like a box where you can put something in. But instead of a physical object, a variable can contain information.

A variable is made up of a name and a value. The name is like the label on the box, and the value is the item inside that box.

For example:

quantity = 12

price = 1.25

Here, we have two variables. The first variable has then name quantity, and has a value of 12. And then we have another one with the name price, and a value of 1.25.

We can then use these variables in an equation. For example:

quantity * price

In this equation, the quantity and price are being multiplied. This will give us a value of 15. Since quantity is equal to 12, and price is equal to 1.25, then 12 * 1.25 is equal to 15.

Creating Variables

Step 1

Create a new Flash ActionScript 3.0 document and type in the following lines of code in the Actions Panel:

var quantity:Number;
var price:Number;

In the first two lines, we've declared two variables - quantity and price. To declare a variable, start with the var keyword, followed by the variable name, and then the data type.

The syntax for declaring a variable is as follows:

var variableName:dataType;

What is the data type?
The data type refers to the type of value that a variable can contain. In the two examples, we've specified the Number data type. This means that the variables can only contain numbers. If you try to assign some text as the variable's value, then that will generate an error. Specifying the data type that a variable can contain is referred to as strict data typing or strong data typing.

What are other examples of data types?
Other examples of data types are the String data type and the Boolean data type. String data is made up of characters. The Boolean data type only chooses between 2 values - true or false.

Examples:

var firstName:String;

var isActive:Boolean;

Here, the firstName variable can only contain a String value such as "John" or "Mary" (String values must be enclosed in quotation marks). The isActive variable, on the other hand, can only be assigned a value of either true or false.

In the next step, let's take a look at how to assign values to our variables.

Step 2

To assign values to our variables, add the following lines highlighted in bold:

var quantity:Number;
var price:Number;

quantity = 12;
price = 1.25;

To assign a value to a variable, type the variable name, followed by the equals sign (also known as the assignment operator), and then input the desired value. Here, we have given quantity a value of 12, and price a value of 1.25.

The syntax for assigning a value to a variable is:

variableName = value;

There is no need to use the var keyword and assign the data type again since we've already done those at the beginning. You only need to declare variables and assign the data type once. However, you can also combine the variable declaration and the value assignment in one statement.

Step 3

Delete the lines of code that we've already typed and replace them with this:

var quantity:Number = 12;
var price:Number = 1.25;

Here, each variable is declared and assigned a value in one statement. This gives us the same result.

Step 4

Next, add some trace statements to verify that Flash is able to access the values assigned to the variables:

var quantity:Number = 12;
var price:Number = 1.25;

trace("The quantity is: " + quantity);
trace("The price is: " + price);
trace("The total is: " + price * quantity);

Here, the trace statements will evaluate the variables and equations, and will display their values. For example, in the first trace statement, the variable name quantity will be displayed as 12, since 12 is the current value assigned to it. In the third trace statement, price * quantity will be calculated, and based on our current values, it will result in a value of 15.

Step 5

Test the movie. You should see the output window display the following lines:

The quantity is: 12

The price is: 1.25

The total is: 15

Step 6

After assigning an initial value to a variable, you may still assign a new value afterward. Let's try that.

After the trace statements, assign new values to the variables:

var quantity:Number = 12;
var price:Number = 1.25;

trace("The quantity is: " + quantity);
trace("The price is: " + price);
trace("The total is: " + price * quantity);

quantity = 5;
price = 2.75;

So now, after the trace statements are executed, the variables will have these new values assigned to them.

Step 7

To check whether the new values have been successfully assigned, let's add another set of trace statements after the lines that assign the new values to the variables:

var quantity:Number = 12;
var price:Number = 1.25;

trace("The quantity is: " + quantity);
trace("The price is: " + price);
trace("The total is: " + price * quantity);

quantity = 5;
price = 2.75;

trace("The values have been changed.");
trace("The new quantity is now: " + quantity);
trace("The new price is now: " + price);
trace("The new total is now: " + price * quantity);

Here, when the first set of trace statements are executed, Flash will be taking a look at the original values. But after that, the variable values have been changed, so the second set of trace statements will now use the new values instead. The FIRST set of trace statements will use the ORIGINAL values, because those trace statements were written BEFORE the values were changed.

Step 8

Test the movie. You should see the output window display the following lines:
The quantity is: 12
The price is: 1.25
The total is: 15
The values have been changed.
The new quantity is now: 5
The new price is now: 2.75
The new total is now: 13.75

Step 9

You can also assign an equation to a variable. For example, we can get the price * quantity equation and store it in a variable like so:

var quantity:Number = 12;
var price:Number = 1.25;
var total:Number = price * quantity;

And then in the trace statements, we can replace all the instances of the price * quantity equation with the total variable instead:

trace("The quantity is: " + quantity);
trace("The price is: " + price);
trace("The total is: " + total);

quantity = 5;
price = 2.75;
total = price * quantity;
// You must compute for the total again in order to
// reflect the new value

trace("The values have been changed.");
trace("The new quantity is now: " + quantity);
trace("The new price is now: " + price);
trace("The new total is now: " + total);

This will give us the same result.

In the next part of this series, we'll take a look at the rules you have to follow when naming variables.

Variable Naming Rules and Conventions - Introduction to Flash AS3 Variables - PART 2: NEXT >>

Learn how to make music on the iPad - Online Video Training Course

2011-11-18T07:56:00.000-08:00

If you are interested in creating music with your iPad, let experienced engineer, author, composer, and educator Sam McGuire take you through eleven music production apps designed for the iPad in this iPad Music Production online training course. The Apps include notation software, audio / MIDI sequencers (including GarageBand), and a variety of musical instruments. This video training course is from the VTC Online University. Watch the first 3 chapters for free. Just click on the movie links below to start learning.

Introduction

The iPad as a Musical Instrument
Settings and Usage

Music Making

The Phases of Music Making
The iPad's Place in Your Workflow

Accessories and Options

MIDI
Audio I/O
Networking

Want to view the entire course?

Sign-up for a VTC Online University membership today!

YouTube partner program now available in the Philippines

2011-10-16T10:54:00.000-07:00

I have some good news for YouTube channel owners residing in the Philippines - the YouTube partner program is now officially available. If you are in the Philippines and you visit the YouTube partner page, you will now be able to access the application link. Users from countries not eligible to join the partner program will get redirected to the homepage when they try to access the partner page. That is no longer the case for users from the Philippines. Currently, there are around 20+ countries included in the partner program. Some of the countries included are Argentina, Sweden, New Zealand and the Czech Republic. Apply now!

How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners with Free 7-day Trial Pass

2011-09-16T05:56:00.000-07:00

If you're looking for excellent online training on how to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 video tutorials for beginners, then check out Photoshop Lightroom 3 Essential Training by lynda.com. This course provides a comprehensive look at Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 3, the popular photo-asset management, enhancement, and publishing application. The course covers indispensable techniques such as importing, processing, and organizing images in the Library, using interface shortcuts to navigate the workspace quickly, and creating slideshows, web galleries, and print picture packages. In addition to exploring all of Lightroom 3's capabilities, this course is rich with creative tips and expert advice on photographic workflow. Posted below are free sample videos from the course. You can learn more by going to the course details page. Also, visitors of Tutorials 101 can view this entire 13-hour course for free by signing up for a free 7-day trial pass. This gives you free access not only to this course, but to the entire lynda.com training library of over 1000 courses as well.

Photoshop Lightroom 3 Essential Training by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 23 FREE VIDEOS FROM THE COURSE

Creative tip: Using Lightroom - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

An overview of Lightroom - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Photographic workflow puzzle - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

The Lightroom interface - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Importing photos from a folder - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using Auto Import - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Introducing tethered shooting - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Working in Grid view and Loupe view - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

The relationship between the raw and DNG catalogs - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Working with raw files in Lightroom - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Working with DNG files in Lightroom - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Uploading photos to Flickr - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Develop module overview - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Correcting white balance with a ColorChecker - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Creative tip: Why crop? - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Retouching away dust on a lens - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Enhancing a landscape with the Graduated filter - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Enhancing makeup color - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Whitening and brightening teeth - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Split-toning a color image - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using the Lens Correction controls - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Basic Develop module workflow - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Effective print workflow - How to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 Video Tutorials for Beginners

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Photoshop Lightroom 3 Essential Training
Author: Chris Orwig
Duration: 13hrs 24mins
Date of release: 28 June 2010

Chapter 1: Getting Started
Creative tip: Using Lightroom
An overview of Lightroom
Photographic workflow puzzle
Why use Lightroom?
Lightroom and Photoshop

Chapter 2: Setting the Stage
The Lightroom interface
Essential interface shortcuts
Using the interface shortcuts
Customizing the identity plate and module pickers
Using a graphic identity plate
Changing the panel end marks
Creating a custom panel end mark
Changing the image background
Modifying other interface preferences

Chapter 3: The Library Module: Importing Images
Importing and file formats
Importing preferences
Introducing the Import dialog
Catalog, import, and preview preferences
Importing photos from a folder
Creating a metadata preset
Importing photos from a CF card
Using Auto Import
Using multiple hard drives
Creative tip: Discard

Chapter 4: The Library Module: Tethered Capture
Introducing tethered shooting
Working with tethered shooting

Chapter 5: The Library Module: Essentials
Working in Grid view and Loupe view
Navigating and zooming
Shortcuts in Loupe view and Grid view
Customizing Loupe view and Grid view
Comparing two images
Surveying multiple images
Working with the toolbar in Grid view and Loupe view
Working with folders and files in the Library module
Using dual monitors

Chapter 6: The Library Module: Working with Catalogs
Introducing catalogs
Working with catalogs
Exporting catalogs
Updating legacy catalogs
The relationship between the raw and DNG catalogs
Working with raw files in Lightroom
Working with DNG files in Lightroom
Creative tip: Using the right gear

Chapter 7: The Library Module: Processing Images
Using Quick Develop in the Library module
Synchronizing processing settings across multiple images
Making incremental adjustments
Applying white balance and auto tone adjustments

Chapter 8: The Library Module: Organizing Images
Introducing flags, stars, and labels
Working with flags, stars, and labels
Adding images to a Quick Collection
Integrating collections with your workflow
Grouping images with collections
Using Smart Collections
Sorting images
Renaming images
Stacking images

Chapter 9: The Library Module: Working with Metadata
Adding keywords
Working with the keyword list
Synchronizing keywords
Keywording with the spray can
Working with the Metadata panel
Adding copyright metadata

Chapter 10: The Library Module: Finding and Sorting with Filters
Filtering overview
Locking library filter options
Filtering based on text
Filtering by metadata
Filtering your photos using the Metadata panel
New filtering criteria in Lightroom 3

Chapter 11: The Library Module: Exporting Images
Exporting images
Export quality and watermark options
Exporting movies
External editing preferences and considerations
Editing preferences
Editing photos in Photoshop
Opening an image as a Smart Object in Photoshop
Including multiple images in Photoshop as layers
Merging multiple images in Photoshop
Creating a panorama
Working with a CMYK photo

Chapter 12: The Library Module: Publishing Services
Setting up Flickr services
Uploading photos to Flickr
Working with comments
Publishing to a folder
Creative tip: Visual poetry

Chapter 13: The Develop Module: Introduction
Develop module overview
Working with legacy Lightroom files
Comparing the before and after
Resetting images to their default settings
Using the Develop module presets
Using Snapshot and History
Using the Histogram
Working with collections
Introducing virtual copies
Creating virtual copies
Introducing the Develop module tool strip

Chapter 14: The Develop Module: Basic Controls
Understanding white balance and color temperature
Correcting white balance with a ColorChecker
Using the White Balance tool
Creative uses of white balance
Demystifying the tone controls
Using the tone controls
Recovering detail in highlights
Working with vibrance and saturation
Making color adjustments with the Vibrance and Saturation sliders
Creative uses of vibrance and saturation
Understanding clarity
Working with clarity
The standard Basic panel workflow
Synchronizing basic settings across multiple images

Chapter 15: The Develop Module: Cropping
Creative tip: Why crop?
Cropping an image
Straightening with the Crop tool
Working with the Crop Overlay tool
Changing the aspect ratio of an image
Auditioning different aspect ratios
Quickly changing crop orientation
Using Crop to improve a composition

Chapter 16: The Develop Module: Retouching
Retouching with the Spot Removal tool
Retouching away dust on a lens
Fixing red-eye

Chapter 17: The Develop Module: Using the Graduated Filter
Introducing the Graduated filter
Darkening a sky with the Graduated filter
Enhancing a landscape with the Graduated filter
Improving a portrait with the Graduated filter
Increasing color variety and saturation with the Graduated filter
Creative tip: Tenacity

Chapter 18: The Develop Module: Using the Adjustment Brush
Adjustment Brush overview
Essential Adjustment Brush shortcuts
Enhancing makeup color
Whitening and brightening teeth
Improving eyes
Softening and smoothing skin
Brightening and improving shadows
Darkening lips and cheeks
Correcting overall exposure
Subtly correcting exposure

Chapter 19: The Develop Module: Modifying Tone Curve
Demystifying the tone curve controls
Increasing contrast and color with the tone curve controls
Correcting exposure with the tone curve controls
Creative tip: Shoot what matters

Chapter 20: The Develop Module: Using HSL and Color
Understanding the HSL controls
Using the HSL Target Adjustment tool
Brightening tones with HSL
Using HSL to increase warm tones
Using HSL to increase warm and cool tones
Creative color with HSL
Desaturating color with HSL
Using the Color panel

Chapter 21: The Develop Module: Converting to Black and White
Introducing black-and-white conversion
Understanding Black & White Mix
Converting to black and white
Black-and-white workflow with virtual copies
Enhancing black-and-white images with the Adjustment Brush
Using presets to convert to black and white
Creating a black-and-white collection

Chapter 22: The Develop Module: Split Toning
Understanding split toning
Advanced split-toning tips
Split-toning a color image

Chapter 23: The Develop Module: Improving Details
Introducing noise reduction
Introducing sharpening
Sharpening in Lightroom
Advanced sharpening in Lightroom and Photoshop
Removing chromatic aberration

Chapter 24: The Develop Module: Vignettes and Effects
Using the Lens Correction controls
Enhancing images with lens correction
Synchronizing vignette settings across multiple images
Combining lens correction, Lightroom, and Photoshop
Adding a post-crop vignette
Adding film grain with the Effects panel

Chapter 25: The Develop Module: Camera Calibration
Understanding Camera Calibration in Lightroom
Creative color with Camera Calibration

Chapter 26: The Develop Module: Workflows
Basic Develop module workflow
Workflow for converting to black and white
Workflow project: Surfing
Workflow project: Portrait
Workflow project: Portrait details
Creative tip: Go outside

Chapter 27: The Slideshow Module
Creating a collection to make a slideshow
Selecting the best images for the slideshow
Customizing the layout of the slideshow
Customizing the background of the slideshow
Customizing overlay elements for the slideshow
Creating titles for the slideshow
Playing back the slideshow
Previewing the slideshow
Exporting the slideshow to different formats

Chapter 28: The Print Module
Creating a collection of images to print
Laying out images into preset templates
Customizing the layout of a single image
Choosing page options for a single image
Specifying the print job options for a single image
Creating a custom package
Creating a picture package
Printing one image quickly
Creating a custom print template
Effective print workflow

Chapter 29: The Web Module
Creating a collection of images for a web gallery
Using web gallery templates
Customizing a web gallery
Uploading a web gallery
Creating color and black-and-white galleries
Uploading color and black-and-white galleries
Online web gallery resources
Domain name and hosting overview

Chapter 30: Final Tips
Online resources and the Lightroom Newsletter

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Photoshop Lightroom 3 Essential Training course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

If you enjoyed these free how to use Photoshop Lightroom 3 video tutorials for beginners, then become a lynda.com member today! Your membership also gives you access to the entire lynda.com library of over 1000 courses.

START LEARNING TODAY!

How to: Ableton Live 8 Video Tutorials for Beginners

2011-09-13T04:28:00.000-07:00

Start learning Ableton Live 8 with these free how to - Ableton Live 8 video tutorials for beginners. These videos are from Ableton Live 8 Essential Training by lynda.com. The entire course is 7 hours in length and teaches you what you need to know to start using Ableton Live 8 to create those excellent audio and MIDI recordings. To view the entire course, you can sign-up for a lynda.com membership for as low as $25. If you want to try it out for free, visitors of Tutorials 101 can get a free 7-day trial pass, which lets you view this entire course, as well as all the other 1000+ courses at no cost for 7 days.

Ableton Live 8 Essential Training by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 7 FREE VIDEOS FROM THE COURSE

Choosing the right gear and setting up a system - How to: Ableton Live 8 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Optimizing performance - How to: Ableton Live 8 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Exporting content from Live - How to: Ableton Live 8 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Recording and overdubbing MIDI - How to: Ableton Live 8 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Advanced MIDI editing - How to: Ableton Live 8 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Recording from Session view to Arrangement view - How to: Ableton Live 8 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Building interesting effects with delay effect processing - How to: Ableton Live 8 Video Tutorials for Beginners

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Ableton Live 8 Essential Training
Author: Rick Schmunk
Duration: 7hrs 20mins
Date of release: 10 December 2010

Chapter 1: System Setup: Putting Together a Digital Audio Workstation
What is a digital audio workstation?
Choosing the right gear and setting up a system

Chapter 2: Software Setup and Preferences
Setting up audio preferences
Setting up MIDI preferences
Optimizing performance

Chapter 3: Session View
Understanding Session view
Working with Live browsers
Working with Live clips
Understanding clip properties
Working with Live scenes

Chapter 4: File Management
Building Live Sets and projects
Learning Live file management
Exporting content from Live
Importing and exporting Live Packs
Searching for and auditioning clips
Setting up frequently accessed folders

Chapter 5: Recording MIDI
Preparing to record MIDI
Recording and overdubbing MIDI
Working with alternate MIDI entry methods
Using multi-output virtual instruments

Chapter 6: Editing MIDI
The MIDI Editor
Quantizing MIDI data
Advanced MIDI editing
Setting up groove in editing

Chapter 7: Recording Audio
Preparing to record
Recording audio

Chapter 8: Arrangement View
Understanding Arrangement view
Recording in Arrangement view
Recording from Session view to Arrangement view
Reworking clips

Chapter 9: The Live Mixer
Understanding Live's mixer
Using sends and returns
Building headphone cues
Grouping tracks

Chapter 10: Signal Processing
Working with effect devices
Understanding EQ and filters
Using compressors and dynamic processors
Building interesting effects with delay effect processing
Using reverb effectively
Setting up side chain effects easily

Chapter 11: MIDI Effects
Creating rhythmic patterns with the Arpeggiator effect
Building background parts with the Chord and Scale effects

Chapter 12: Automation/Envelopes
Building automation patterns
Editing existing automation information
Using fades to mask audio pops and clicks
Understanding the power of clip envelopes

Chapter 13: Warping Audio
Understanding the basics of looping
Creating tracks that loop smoothly
Using warp features to quantize audio

Chapter 14: Using Controllers
Using the computer keyboard to control Live
Mapping device controls to the MIDI keyboard
Using Live's instant mapping feature

Chapter 15: Exporting Audio
Exporting audio
Freezing tracks

Chapter 16: Virtual Instrument Overview
Building with the Impulse virtual instrument
Working with the Simpler virtual instrument

Chapter 17: Racks
Overview of Live racks
Combining instruments and effects into a single device
Adding effects with Drum Rack
Assigning rack parameters to macros

Chapter 18: Live and ReWire
Setting up ReWire with Pro Tools
Setting up ReWire with Logic

Chapter 19: Using Ableton Live in Live Performance
Preparing audio clips with the Warp tool
Triggering clips using follow actions
Using Live as a sound source

Chapter 20: Video
Working with video files

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Ableton Live 8 Essential Training course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

If you enjoyed these free how to - Ableton Live 8 video tutorials for beginners, then become a lynda.com member today! Your membership also gives you access to the entire lynda.com library of over 1000 courses.

START LEARNING TODAY!

Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

2011-09-09T06:09:00.000-07:00

Check out these free Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 video tutorials for beginners. These are from the Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Essential Training course by lynda.com. This training title is designed for developers who want to learn how to build rich internet applications for the Flash player. Watch the free videos below and start learning. If you want to view the entire course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Or if you first want to try it out for free, visitors of Tutorials 101 can get a free 7-day trial pass.

Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Essential Training by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 16 FREE VIDEOS FROM THE COURSE

Introduction to Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Essential Training - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Introducing the history of Adobe Flex - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Understanding the anatomy of web applications - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Choosing a workspace - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Understanding MXML - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using the debug version of Flash Player - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Understanding MX and Spark components - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using button controls - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Defining MXML components - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using the ViewStack container - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Managing navigation with ActionScript - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Understanding inline CSS declarations - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Drawing vector graphics with MXML - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Managing data with ArrayList and ArrayCollection - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using the List and DropDownList controls - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Building a custom data entry form component - Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Video Tutorials for Beginners

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Essential Training
Author: David Gassner
Duration: 10hrs 28mins
Date of release: 22 March 2010

Chapter 1: Getting Started
Introducing the history of Adobe Flex
Installing Flash Builder on Windows
Installing Flash Builder on Mac OS X
Installing Flash Builder as an Eclipse plug-in
Creating the Hello World application
Understanding the anatomy of web applications
Creating a release build

Chapter 2: Using Flash Builder 4
Choosing a workspace
Importing and exporting projects as FXP files
Setting Flash Builder preferences
Using Eclipse views and editors
Using Flash Builder perspectives

Chapter 3: Using Flex Programming Languages
Understanding MXML
Setting properties and styles with MXML
Translating MXML to ActionScript 3
Using ActionScript in MXML files
Declaring and using variables
Understanding ActionScript data types
Getting language and API help

Chapter 4: Using Flash Builder Debugging Tools
Using the debug version of Flash Player
Starting and stopping debugging sessions
Tracing application execution
Using breakpoints
Using the Variables view
Watching ActionScript expressions
Using watchpoints to detect state changes

Chapter 5: Using Visual Controls
Understanding MX and Spark components
Declaring visual controls with MXML
Declaring visual controls with ActionScript
Using text display controls
Displaying rich text
Using text input controls
Using button controls
Loading images at runtime
Embedding images
Presenting Flash content
Passing data with binding expressions

Chapter 6: Using the Flex Event Architecture
Handling dispatched events
Using inline event handlers in MXML
Using custom event handler functions
Understanding event objects
Using event listener functions

Chapter 7: Laying Out an Application
Setting the application's layout property
Using Spark Group containers
Using the Spark Panel container
Using the Application and Panel control bars
Using the BorderContainer
Using constraint-based layout properties
Declaring view states
Changing view states at runtime

Chapter 8: Using Custom Components
Defining MXML components
Instantiating components in MXML
Instantiating components in ActionScript
Declaring and using custom properties
Declaring and using custom methods
Declaring and setting component states
Dispatching events from custom components
Creating custom event classes
Dispatching and handling custom events

Chapter 9: Managing Application Navigation
Using the ViewStack container
Managing navigation with ActionScript
Using the ButtonBar component
Using the TabNavigator and Accordion containers

Chapter 10: Using Cascading Style Sheets (CSS)
Understanding inline CSS declarations
Using embedded style sheets
Using type, style name, and id selectors
Using descendant and global selectors
Using external style sheets
Setting and getting styles with ActionScript
Loading styles at runtime

Chapter 11: Skinning Spark Components with MXML and FXG
Drawing vector graphics with MXML
Exporting FXG files from Illustrator and Fireworks
Using FXG files in Flex applications
Creating a custom application skin
Using custom component skins
Assigning skins to multiple components
Loading skins at runtime

Chapter 12: Managing Data
Embedding data with
Managing data with ArrayList and ArrayCollection
Creating value object classes
Using value objects in MXML
Using value objects in ActionScript
Wrapping value objects in data collections

Chapter 13: Displaying Dynamic Data
Using the List and DropDownList controls
Using the labelField property
Using the labelFunction property
Creating custom item renderers
Managing List layout
Using the DataGrid control
Using labelFunction with a DataGrid column
Using advanced DataGrid cell rendering
Working with List control events and properties
Displaying data items with DataGroup
Adding scrollbars to groups

Chapter 14: Creating Data Entry Form Components
Building a custom data entry form component
Validating data entry
Packaging data with a value object class
Sharing data using custom event classes

Chapter 15: Integrating with Application Servers
Installing Apache, PHP, and MySQL on Windows
Installing Apache, PHP, and MySQL on Mac OS X
Importing a database into MySQL
Adding server properties to a Flex project
Retrieving data with RPC components
Handling the RPC result event
Handling the RPC fault event
Using the CallResponder class
Creating a PHP data connection to a MySQL table
Retrieving data with a PHP data connection
Generating a data entry form
Sending data to the server

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 Essential Training course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

If you enjoyed these Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 video tutorials for beginners, then become a lynda.com member today! Your membership also gives you access to the entire lynda.com library of over 1000 courses.

START LEARNING TODAY!

How to draw a heart in Illustrator - Video Tutorial

2011-09-03T01:54:00.001-07:00

In this video from lynda.com, author Deke Mclelland shows you how to draw a heart in Illustrator.

Deke has more Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator video tutorials in an excellent series called Deke's Techniques. You can check them all out with this free 7-day trial pass.

Sibelius 6 - Bar and Staff Selection - Video Tutorial

2011-09-02T22:48:00.000-07:00

In this video tutorial from Sibelius 6 Essential Training by lynda.com, author Jenny Amaya introduces bar and staff selection in Sibelius 6. In this video, she first explains the difference between a system and a staff. And then she talks about basic bar selection, selecting a range of bars, selecting staff, moving notes in a bar, and using the keypad to add note head markings and accidentals. If you want to view the rest of the videos from this course, you can sign-up for a lynda.com membership or try a 7-day free trial.

Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

2011-09-02T04:07:00.000-07:00

In the past couple of years, great quality homemade special effects videos have become very popular. A lot of the effects you see in those videos are done using an amazing program known as Adobe After Effects. If you'd like to get to know more about this application and how to use it, watch the free Adobe After Effects CS5 video tutorials for beginners below. These are from After Effects CS5 Essential Training by lynda.com. It's an 8 hour training course that teaches you the things you need to know to start making your own awesome special effects videos. If you want to watch the entire course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Or if you want to try it out first, visitors of Tutorials 101 can get a get a free 7-day trial pass.

After Effects CS5 Essential Training by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 14 FREE VIDEOS FROM THE COURSE

Introduction to After Effects CS5 Essential Training

What is After Effects? - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

After Effects workflow overview - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Bringing elements into After Effects - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Adding elements to the Timeline - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Working with layers - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using the Puppet tool - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Creating a fireball - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Creating a galaxy scene from scratch - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Creating and using lens flares - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Slowing and accelerating video speed - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using the Roto Brush tool - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Animating growing vines - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Stabilizing shaky footage - Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: After Effects CS5 Essential Training
Author: Chad Perkins
Duration: 8hrs 39mins
Date of release: 30 April 2010

Chapter 1: Introduction
Introduction
What is After Effects?
How to use the exercise files

Chapter 2: Introductory Project
After Effects workflow overview
Bringing elements into After Effects
Adding elements to the Timeline
Working with layers
Creating animation with presets
Applying effects
Creating animation without presets
Previewing your work
Exporting content as a movie file

Chapter 3: Getting Started with After Effects
Touring the interface
How After Effects projects work
What is a composition?
Tips for adding content to compositions
Understanding the properties of video

Chapter 4: Learning to Animate
Importing an Illustrator file
Animation basics
Animating opacity
Understanding anchor points
Animating position
Animating rotation
Animating scale
Using the Puppet tool
Copying and pasting keyframes
Animation shortcuts

Chapter 5: Precomposing and Nesting Compositions
Understanding precomposing
Navigating through compositions quickly

Chapter 6: The Power of Effects
A showcase of effects
Creating a layer for effects
Applying effects
Animating effect properties
Using Glow
Creating patterns and textures
Creating a fireball
Using the Cycore effects
Adding blur
Creating a galaxy scene from scratch
Distorting objects with effects
Creating and using lens flares
Creating lightning bolts
Viewing random variations with Brainstorm

Chapter 7: Working with Video
Shortening the duration of layers
Trimming in the Footage panel
Slowing and accelerating video speed
Applying video transitions between clips
Working with image sequences
Importing footage with an alpha channel

Chapter 8: Color-Correcting Footage
Brightening dark footage
Changing colors in footage
Creating cinematic color treatments
Creating a quick vignette
Colorizing black-and-white objects
Using adjustment layers

Chapter 9: Creating and Animating Text
Creating and editing text
Applying text animation presets
Animating text manually
Applying layer styles to text

Chapter 10: Becoming More Efficient
Let's get better
Using work areas
Creating markers
Replacing layers
Mastering Timeline navigation
Aligning and distributing layers
Selecting layers quickly
Cropping layers
Adjusting comp resolution

Chapter 11: Painting
Using the paint tools
Using the Roto Brush tool
Animating growing vines

Chapter 12: Working with Masks and Shape Layers
Creating and using masks
Exploring mask options
Creating masks with Auto-trace
Masking objects with other objects
Making shape layers
Modifying shape layers

Chapter 13: Working in 3D
Turning 2D layers into 3D layers
Creating lights and cameras
Creating shadows
Using depth of field
Working with 3D effects

Chapter 14: Keying and Compositing
Removing a green screen background
Refining the matte
Compositing with color adjustments
Compositing with blend modes

Chapter 15: Intermediate Animation
Understanding spatial interpolation
Creating and adjusting motion paths
Orienting moving objects along a path
Drawing motion with Motion Sketch
Creating pauses in animation
Understanding temporal interpolation
Easing keyframes
About the Graph Editor

Chapter 16: Stabilizing and Tracking Motion
Stabilizing shaky footage
Tracking the motion in footage

Chapter 17: Parenting and Expressions
Setting up parent layers
Working with null objects
What are expressions?
Modifying simple expressions
Using the wiggle expression

Chapter 18: Working with Audio
Understanding audio in motion graphics
Previewing and mixing audio
Enhancing audio tracks with effects

Chapter 19: Rendering and Compression
Adding comps to the Render Queue
Exploring key Render Queue settings
How should I export my video?

Chapter 20: Integration
Using Photoshop with After Effects
Using Illustrator with After Effects
Using Flash with After Effects

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire After Effects CS5 Essential Training course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

Want to watch the rest of these Adobe After Effects CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners? Then become a lynda.com member today! Your membership also gives you access to the entire lynda.com library of over 1000 courses.

START LEARNING TODAY!

Developing iPhone Games Using Flash CS5 | iPhone Game Development Course

2011-08-16T06:03:00.000-07:00

Interested in developing iPhone games using Flash CS5? Then check out this iPhone game development course from lynda.com. The course is entitled Flash Professional CS5: Creating a Simple Game for iOS Devices, and you will find some sample videos below. The course covers the game development from start to finish, including planning and preparation, character and background animation, creating interactions and scoring mechanism, and finally testing and publishing the app. If you like the free video tutorials below and would like to view the entire course, then you can sign up for a lynda.com membership or get a free 7-day trial.

Flash Professional CS5: Creating a Simple Game for iOS Devices by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE FREE VIDEOS FROM THE COURSE

Flash Professional CS5: Creating a Simple Game for iOS Devices - Welcome

Reviewing the finished game - Developing iPhone Games using Flash CS5 | iPhone Game Development Course

Making the character move - Developing iPhone Games using Flash CS5 | iPhone Game Development Course

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Flash Professional CS5: Creating a Simple Game for iOS Devices
Author: Todd Perkins
Duration: 2hrs 8mins
Date of release: 25 Feb 2011

Chapter 1: Planning and Preparing the Game
Reviewing the finished game
Optimizing assets
Planning gameplay and viewing class structure
Viewing the FLA file

Chapter 2: Controlling Character Movement
Making the character move
Adding accelerometer support
Making the character jump
Simulating a finger swipe
Adding sound effects

Chapter 3: Creating Animated Background Elements
Creating a reusable Mover class
Linking the Mover class to the parallax elements
Looping background animations

Chapter 4: Adding Obstacles and Scoring
Creating a reusable Obstacle class
Detecting collisions with the player
Ending the game when the player bails
Using a timer to create trash cans
Calculating points and deleting unused objects
Using a shared object to save a high score
Increasing scrolling speed as gameplay progresses

Chapter 5: Testing, Debugging, and Publishing Your Game
Acquiring testing certificates and provisioning profiles
Troubleshooting performance issues
Finalizing code, adding an icon graphic, and setting a loading graphic
Publishing the final version of the app
Testing on your iOS device
Submitting the app to Apple for release in the App Store

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Flash Professional CS5: Creating a Simple Game for iOS Devices course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

Can't wait to start developing iPhone games using Flash CS5? Then become a lynda.com member today to watch this entire Flash CS5 iPhone game development course. Your membership also gives you access to the entire lynda.com library of over 1000 courses.

START LEARNING TODAY!

Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

2011-08-05T06:06:00.000-07:00

Check out these free great-quality Adobe Illustrator CS5 video tutorials for beginners. You'll find 14 video tutorials posted below that will give you useful tips and will help you get started with Adobe Illustrator CS5. These free video tutorials are from the Illustrator CS5 Essential Training course by lynda.com. If you like the free video tutorials below and would like to view the rest of the course, then you can sign up for a lynda.com membership or get a free 7-day trial.

Illustrator CS5 Essential Training by

START LEARNING TODAY!

WATCH THESE 14 FREE VIDEOS FROM THE COURSE

Welcome - Illustrator CS5 Essential Training

Path and appearance - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Creating files for print - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Adding XMP metadata - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using Smart Guides - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Various preview modes - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using the basic selection tools - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Using the Magic Wand tool - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

The importance of modifier keys - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Understanding anchor points - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

The Draw Inside and Draw Behind modes - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Creating point text - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Adding multiple attributes - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

Applying color to artwork - Adobe Illustrator CS5 Video Tutorials for Beginners

START LEARNING TODAY!

Course Information

Training Provider: Lynda.com
Title: Illustrator CS5 Essential Training
Author: Mordy Golding
Duration: 10hrs 37min
Date of release: 30 April 2010

Chapter 1. Key Concepts
What are vector graphics?
Path and appearance
Stacking

Chapter 2. Creating New Documents
The Welcome screen
Creating files for print
Creating files for the screen
Using prebuilt templates
Adding XMP metadata
Exploring the panels
Using the Control panel
Using workspaces

Chapter 3. Working with Documents
Navigating within a document
Using rulers and guides
Using grids
Using the bounding box
Using Smart Guides
The Hide Edges command
Various preview modes
Creating custom views
Locking and hiding artwork

Chapter 4. Making Selections
Using the basic selection tools
Using the Magic Wand tool
Using the Lasso tool
Selecting objects by attribute or type
Saving and reusing selections
Selecting artwork beneath other objects
Exploring selection preferences

Chapter 5. Drawing and Editing Paths
The importance of modifier keys
Drawing closed path primitives
Drawing open path primitives
Understanding anchor points
Drawing straight paths with the Pen tool
Drawing curved paths with the Pen tool
Drawing freeform paths with the Pencil tool
Smoothing and erasing paths
Editing anchor points
Joining and averaging paths
Simplifying paths
Using Offset Path
Cleaning up errant paths

Chapter 6. Building Shapes
The Draw Inside and Draw Behind modes
Creating compound paths
Creating compound shapes
Using the Shape Builder tool
Using Pathfinder functions
Splitting an object into a grid
Using the Blob Brush and Eraser tools

Chapter 7. Working with Text
Creating point text
Creating area text
Applying basic character settings
Applying basic paragraph settings
Creating text threads
Setting text along an open path
Setting text along a closed path
Converting text into paths

Chapter 8. Quick Project: Building a Logo
Create a logo mark
Add type to your logo

Chapter 9. Applying Appearances and Effects
Using the Appearance panel
Targeting object attributes
Adding multiple attributes
Applying Live Effects
Expanding appearances
Appearance panel settings
Copying appearances
Saving appearances as graphic styles

Chapter 10. Using Color in Illustrator
Applying color to artwork
Creating process and global process swatches
Creating spot color swatches
Loading PANTONE and other custom color libraries
Organizing colors with Swatch Groups
Finding color suggestions with the Color Guide panel
Loading the Color Guide with user-defined colors

Chapter 11. Applying Fills and Strokes
Creating gradients with the Gradient panel
Modifying gradients with the Gradient Annotator
Applying and manipulating pattern fills
Defining your own custom pattern fills
Applying basic stroke settings
Creating strokes with dashed lines
Adding arrowheads to strokes
Creating variable-width strokes
Working with width profiles
Turning strokes into filled paths

Chapter 12. Using Groups and Layers
Creating and editing groups
Adding attributes to groups
The importance of using layers
Using and "reading" the Layers panel

Chapter 13. Managing Multiple Artboards
Creating and using multiple artboards
Modifying artboards with the Artboards panel
Copy and paste options with Artboards

Chapter 14. Transforming and Positioning Art
Moving and copying artwork
Scaling or resizing artwork
Rotating artwork
Reflecting and skewing artwork
Using the Free Transform tool
Repeating transformations
Performing individual transforms across multiple objects
Aligning objects and groups precisely
Distributing objects and spaces between objects

Chapter 15. Working with Images
Placing pixel-based content into Illustrator
Managing images with the Links panel
Converting pixels to paths with Live Trace
Making Live Trace adjustments
Controlling colors in Live Trace
Using Photoshop and Live Trace together

Chapter 16. Working Efficiently with Symbols
Managing repeating artwork with symbols
Modifying and replacing symbol instances
Using the Symbol Sprayer tool

Chapter 17. Working with Masks
Cropping photographs
Clipping artwork with masks
Clipping the contents of a layer
Defining masks with soft edges

Chapter 18. Drawing in Perspective
Defining a perspective grid
Drawing artwork in perspective
Moving flat art onto the perspective grid

Chapter 19. Printing, Saving, and Exporting
Printing your Illustrator document
Saving your Illustrator document
Creating PDF files for clients and printers
Exporting Illustrator files for use in Microsoft Office
Exporting Illustrator files for use in Photoshop
Exporting artwork for use on the web
Exporting high-resolution raster files

About Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an online video training provider with over 1000 courses covering a wide array of topics - 3D, video, business, the web, graphic design, programming, animation, photography, and more. They produce top quality video tutorials with the best industry experts as your instructors. With a subscription, you can log-in at any time, and learn at your own pace. New courses are added each week, and you will receive a certificate of completion for each course that you finish.

Start learning today!
If you enjoyed the sample videos above and want to access the entire Illustrator CS5 Essential Training course, you can sign up for a lynda.com membership. Your membership will allow you to access not only this course, but also the entire lynda.com library for as low as $25 for 1-month. Their training library has over 1000 courses with 50,000+ video tutorials. No long-term commitment required. You can cancel your membership at any time.

To watch the complete set of these Illustrator CS5 video tutorials for beginners, become a lynda.com member today. Your membership gives you access to this entire course as well as their entire library of over 1000 courses.

START LEARNING TODAY!

Learn JavaScript for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

2011-07-31T03:29:00.000-07:00

Simon Allardice, one of my favorite tech training authors (he explains things well and has an awesome accent) just released a JavaScript for beginners training course for lynda.com entitled JavaScript Essential Training. It covers the essentials, aimed at providing you with a firm foundation on JavaScript development. Below, you'll find free JavaScript video tutorials from the training course. Watch the videos below, and if you enjoy them, you can access the entire course by becoming a lynda.com member or you can also sign-up for a free 7-day trial.

START LEARNING TODAY!

Welcome - JavaScript Essential Training

Introduction to JavaScript - JavaScript for Beginners

Where to write your JavaScript - JavaScript for Beginners

Working with arrays - JavaScript for Beginners

Introduction to JavaScript event handling - JavaScript for Beginners

CSS and JavaScript - JavaScript for Beginners

START LEARNING TODAY!

if you enjoyed the videos, you can access this entire JavaScript for beginners training course by becoming a lynda.com member or you can also sign-up for a free 7-day trial.

Tutorials 101

How to Animate in Flash - A simple step-by-step video tutorial

How to Animate in Flash - Video Tutorial for Beginners

Creating a Simple Volume Bar in Flash

AutoCAD 2011 Online Training Videos for Beginners - Free Video Tutorials

Learn Revit 2012 Training Videos

Introduction

Drawing and Editing Tools

Levels and Grids

Intro to Walls

Doors and Windows

Curtain Walls

Views

Floors

Components

Reflected Ceiling

Roofs

Vertical Circulation

Construction Documents

Annotations

How to use Access 2010 - Tutorials for Beginners

What is Photography? - Online Photography Classes with Free 7-day Trial

What is Photography? - Online Photography Classes

Adobe Photoshop CS5 Online Training Courses with a Free 7-day Trial

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP CS5 ONLINE TRAINING COURSES

Learn Digital Audio Production - Training Course for Beginners

Learn How to Make a Social Networking Website

Course Introduction

What is a Social Network?

Elements of a Social Network

How to mix audio - Audio mixing lessons and tutorials for beginners

Adobe Premiere CS5 Tutorials for Beginners - How to Use Premiere CS5 Video Tutorials - Premiere PRO CS5

Photoshop CS5 Photography Tutorials for Photoshop CS5 Photographers - Watch Photoshop CS5 Tutorials for Photographers

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Online Training for Beginners - First 3 Chapters FREE

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Training

Adobe Photoshop CS4 Online Training for Beginners

Introduction

Interface

Adobe Bridge

Documents

Layers

Cropping

Navigation

Color Tools

Selections

Transformation

Adjustments

Color Correction

Masks

Type

Painting

Brushes

Drawing

Filters & Effects

Smart Objects

Guides & Annotation

Camera Raw

Retouching

History

Vanishing Point

Channels

Actions

Automation

Saving & Exporting

Scanning

Output

Web Preparation

Resources

Project: Orbiting Mothership

Course Information:

About VTC

How to Repair Photos in Photoshop - Photo Restoration Tutorials

What is Online Marketing? - Online Marketing Training Course - Learn how to Market Online

The AS3 'this' keyword and how to randomize the size of a MovieClip instance on the stage

Expressions and Operators in ActionScript 3

Local and Global Variables in AS3

Creating Optional Parameters in AS3

Adding Function Parameters in ActionScript 3

Writing Functions in ActionScript 3

PART 3 - Fun with ActionScript 3 variables: Complete the story - Introduction to Flash AS3 Variables