Member Avatar for camelNotation

I have been offered a job by one of my teachers about web development . He asked me to get my grips on macromedia flash , html etcetra and then inform him . My work will be to design webpages for small businesses . The problem is , i only know html hand-coding and have'nt been in touch for months . Should I also get a book on macromedia flash fx/mx ...as I'm not experienced in macromedia , I need to know the appripriate use of the macromedia softwares such as macrmedia flash , macromedia authorware etcetra . Thank u .

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Short answer for a small-business web role: focus on the tools that solve pages, graphics and small interactive pieces — Dreamweaver for page structure, Fireworks for preparing and slicing graphics, and Flash for targeted animations or widgets. ColdFusion is only needed if the jobs require server-side/database work; Director and Authorware are niche (multimedia/CD or e-learning) and not required for most web sites. As and implied, you don’t need every MX app for every job — learn the parts you’ll actually use.

Practical learning path (start here):

  • Plan content and simple wireframes before touching any tool.
  • Build visual comps in Fireworks (or Photoshop) and export optimized images.
  • Create pages and manage templates/CSS in Dreamweaver so content stays accessible and maintainable.
  • Add Flash only for small, value-adding interactions (banners, animated logo, a single interactive widget) and always provide non-Flash fallback.
  • Test in real browsers, check performance/bandwidth and learn basic ActionScript so your Flash pieces can be interactive.

Important context for anyone reading this later: Adobe retired Flash Player and ended support on December 31, 2020; browsers no longer run native Flash. (adobe.com) For modern interactive features, HTML5 (Canvas, CSS animations, JavaScript) is the recommended approach. (developer.mozilla.org) If you must preserve or run legacy SWF content, consider an emulator/polyfill like Ruffle rather than relying on the old Flash plugin. (ruffle.rs)

Quick practical tips: start by building one small live piece you can show clients (a banner with hover states, a simple animated intro). Keep Flash assets tiny and replace textual content with real HTML where search engines and accessibility matter. Use the suite’s built-in tutorials (as noted) and the tutorial sites other members suggested to practice hands-on.

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Member Avatar for A Monkeys Uncle

You'll want to become familiar with Macromedia Fireworks MX 2004, Dream Weaver MX 2004, Flash MX 2004, and Contribute if possible. You can buy them as a package...

Member Avatar for camelNotation

okay . My one is called as macromedia mx studio 2004 .It has got macromedia flash mx 2004 , macromedia dreamweaver mx 2004 , macromedia director mx , macromedia coldfusion mx , macromedia fireworks mx and macromedia authorware 6.5 full . Which one of them do i need for building websites ?

Member Avatar for cuddlers89

There are tutorials in the form of movies on the macromedia website, also fireworks has a tutorial or two that comes with it.

Member Avatar for GR Web FX

If your looking for some cool tutorials in Flash, i suggest you look at www.cartoonsmart.com
I knew nothing about flash until i visited this site!!

GR Web FX

Member Avatar for A Monkeys Uncle

Thanks, GR I'll check that out as well.


okay . My one is called as macromedia mx studio 2004 .It has got macromedia flash mx 2004 , macromedia dreamweaver mx 2004 , macromedia director mx , macromedia coldfusion mx , macromedia fireworks mx and macromedia authorware 6.5 full . Which one of them do i need for building websites ?

You will use all of them but Dream Weaver is the program you will upload your site through. It is also the program that will do all the CSS, HTML, etc code for you.

Member Avatar for PoA

Go and explore at http://flashkit.com You will find tons of tutorials on flash.

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