THE FOCAL EASY GUIDE TO MACROMEDIA FLASH 8 abbreviation File New is used instead of saying go to the File menu then choose the New command from the dropdown list of options. Both Mac and PC shortcuts are given throughout. Instead of writing them both out in full, the following conventions are used: For the Command key (Mac) File New is written as is used, followed by CTRL for the Control N. key, which is the PC equivalent. For example, the keyboard shortcut for /CTRL ALT is used throughout as an abbreviation for the Option key (Mac) and ALT key (PC). PC users have a right mouse button, which can be used to open context sensitive menus when you apply it to different parts of the program. The Mac equivalent of a right mouse click is to hold down the CTRL key. This is abbreviated throughout as CTRL/RIGHT-CLICK. Another convention used throughout the book is that the final product of your Flash project is referred to as a `movie'. Of course your end product need not be animation. It could be a web site or even a CD-ROM, but to simplify matters it is referred to as a `movie'. There is a supporting web site to go with this book at <www.easyguidetoflash.com> where you can download examples used in this book. You can also post your own tips and tricks for other readers to see as well as links to flash web sites that you have created. Finally, you will only ever really start to learn a piece of software when you apply it to your own projects. This book is designed to provide you with a fundamental vocabulary in Flash. The rest is up to you. Use the exercises here as a starting point, adapt and change them to suit your own designs and ideas, and you will be fluent in Flash in no time! 4