Screensaver Assignment

Objectives

• Learn basic Flash animation
• Create a practical product

Overview

Create a 30-second looping Flash animation, which the instructor will convert into a screensaver, using "Screensaver Factory".

Parameters

1. Set the stage for 1024 by 768 pixels
2. 30-second run time before repeating
3. Use standard fonts or embed required fonts
4. Any use of sound must be optional, not critical to the theme
5. Final SWF file size must be less than 2 MB

Content

1. Funny story, serious theme, or artistic - but the point must be clear
2. For idea, See "50 ways to tell a story" 
3. Must feature animation - NOT just a show of still images
4. Suitable for public use - no copyrighted images or trademarks
5. May feature cartoons or stylized shapes, doesn't have to be photo-realistic
6. Vector graphics are crisp and help keep the file size small
7. Make the end the same as the beginning – so it repeats smoothly

Use a variety of techniques

Pacing

1. Don't rush movement. Viewers need to be able to understand what's happening.
2. Text must stand still long enough or move slowly enough for someone to read it
3. To smooth movement, add frames and increase the frame rate

Save the screen

1. Do not leave the same item (text, border, image) at the same place on screen all the time
2. Try to use the whole screen over time, but don't fill it all the time.
3. Avoid really bright backgrounds (like white).

Project sumbission

Turn in both FLA and SWF files

Example

Student-created screensaver