First flash pics and flash tips wanted(update:Sexbot!)

[Squinky]

So, after recently being inspired by some flash cartoons I decided to start screwing around with the flash...This is some concept art for a future project...
So I guess I'm looking for some tips on the whole flash thing. Heres the real big dumb question:
How do you save the file as a normal image? I copied and pasted this into photoshop, but that made it lose quality, so is there a way to save it a certain way so it comes out looking better...

And how hard is it to make a cartoon in flash? Any tips?

Thanks

[Eggie]

Well...I did have advice...but then my message got deleted.

So I'll just say: Great artwork, but you might want to remove some small details if you're going to animate with it.

Oh yeah, and yuou can use "Export Image" in the "File" menu to make it a .bmp or .gif or whatever.

[Squinky]

Thanks eggie, I've seen you do a lot of the flash animations....So hook me up with a quick tutorial? Eh, whattaya say man?

So, this level of detail would make it hard to animate? Thats kind of a bummer....

Well anyway, I think I may start drawing in this style for awhile, I just can't seem to stop drawing with this thing...

[Gilbert]

Hmmm I never used flash, but I think the problem is that animating flash thingies with such high details may suffer from a slow down for some lower end computers, unless you just use flash to "pre-render" animated images for other uses, of course.

But anyway, GREEEAT art!

[MadReizka]

Well not really need to remove details. Use layers.

One layer is a hand, one the torso, one a head etc.

For some great (and crappy) flash animations, check Newgrounds

And there check the front page animations/games and then look at the Toons section.

[wOoDz]

i use a program called Swish, its only about 5meg to download and its a lot easier to use than  Macromedia flash, it exports as swf, avi or html as well as importing jpg,wav,mp3,gif, etc

i did this in 5 mins its only animated text
demo  its not a plug btw its the only flash animation i got at the mo
you can get swish as a demo, its a bit of a chew on to get because you have to wait  for a demo unlock code,then make it work!
i have the older version if you want it theres no difference that i could see

swish.site

woodz

[Igor]

Looking good Squinky! I think level of details is just fine. That's the beauty of vectors- it's not the level of lines that slow down the animation, but the level of "special effects" such as bluring and transparency... and number of objects of course.

Flash (or Toonboom- similar) is great for animation of any kind, despite of what some might say. For any useful tips you must tell us more about your animation though.
Will it be shockwave or are you planning to export it in avi/mov file? Are you planning to animate it classicaly (paper) or will you animate using symbols (*very* recommended for shockwave stuff)?

[Eggie]

Flashkit great site, loads of tutorials and open-source stuff.

[Neole]

Looking good! I have little idea about flash usage though. In the turned head the neck on the right side seems to be wobbled out for some reason.

[Nixxon]

NICE!
a tip if i may?
remove the black edging on the yellow laser flashes, highlight the yellow fill, convert it to a graphic (F8) and enable some transparency, say maybe oooo 60-70%? of coarse this would only make a notable improvment if there were somthing behind it (e.g bg)... still, worth a try
once again, NICE

[SLaMgRInDeR]

For some great (and crappy) flash animations, check Newgrounds

And there check the front page animations/games and then look at the Toons section.

so you discovered that place too?
anyway, great pics, i havent used flash yet, so i cant realy give any tips.
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[Squinky]

Heres a pic I whipped up in 20 minutes...Man, I'm into this flash program now...I'll get back to this later, goto go to bed...

[Ben]

Beautiful. It's pure Squinky-style, and I love it. My only suggestion is to give more contrast to the brass thinkg on his sword and costume.. And changing the color of the moon to something less intense.

[BOYD1981]

that's no moon, somebody told him there was a three headed monkey behind him and while his eye's were diverted they threw a cheese at him!

[kryddturken]

Squinky, wow, that's beautiful. You were just learning flash you said? I'm just trying to learn it also, I would love to create the graphics for my games in flash.. but I'm not sure where to start.. anyway, very nice pic.

Very impressive, can't tell you're just learning Flash!

[MadReizka]

For some great (and crappy) flash animations, check Newgrounds

And there check the front page animations/games and then look at the Toons section.

so you discovered that place too?
anyway, great pics, i havent used flash yet, so i cant realy give any tips.
(   (    ( <( -_-)> )   )   )

I have known that site for a loooong time.

[Squinky]

Thanks everyone for the feedback, It's motivational to say the least....
I still cant do a whole lot as far as animating in flash, Besides move a ball across the stage...But I'm working on it...
Anyways, heres another from me, in front of a cheesy gradient, and I shaded his face but nothing else fully....
I hope to animate this, so any tips on that would rock too...
And thanks for the link woodz, but since I own flash already I'm probably gonna roll with it for awhile...

[Squinky]

I got tired and didnt shade the shirt and bg properly...

[Igor]

Really like those last two.
About animation- again, how are you planning to animate? With symbols or classical (frame by frame)?
If with symbols, then you won't have *too* much work- just separate different parts of body in different symbols&layers and animate (move them).

[Squinky]

Thanks Igor,
I'm gonna try to use symbols as much as possible, but I'm still fiddling with things...I'd like to make some online movies kinda like homestarrunner...but I guess it'll take time. The tuts in flash are great, it's just that sometimes some general tips can speed the learning process up quite a bit...