[Vincent Rosati]

Whatever it takes :)!

As far as flash, you can simply export as SWF. Tinker with the settings until you have acceptable results.
Compare the file sizes, GIF vs. SWF, to see which is better.

Generally speaking, Flash is more for incorporating vector graphics into animations, which I’m not sure how that might be accomplished in PS.
But, the exercise is worthwhile for learning how to embed flash into web docs.

Vince

[Vincent Rosati]

np. 🙂
1-Each object should be on it’s own layer in the Layers palette.
2-Open the Animation palette.
3-Click ‘Duplicate Selected Frames’, in the Animation palette (next to the trash can).
Keep it simple, create 4 animation frames.
4-Click on animation frame #1. Than, in the Layers palette, turn off all of the layers that should be hidden, leaving only the desired layer as a visible object.

Repeat step 4 for animation frame #2, #3, and finally #4.

You should now have 4 animation frames, each set to trigger the visibility of the appropriate layer.
Press the Play button to see the animation.

You will likely need to adjust the timing…
Shift-Select all of the animation frames and click the little triangle that is beneath any of the frames. It is here that you can enter either a preset or custom delay for the frames.

Finally, File/Save For Web… *gif. GIF is the only animation format available under the Save options.
You could File/Export as a SWF, but I wouldn’t worry about that yet.

If you require any smooth blending or motion in the animation, that would require ‘tweening’ (or, in-betweening). But, don’t worry about that yet, basics first.

I hope this gets you to your next step. If you get stuck anywhere, let us know.

Vince

[Vincent Rosati]

Maybe this’ll do…
https://www.web–templates.org/buttons/aqua-button-generator.html

I just searched for ‘aqua button generator’.

Vince

[Vincent Rosati]

If you’re referring to the shiny buttons, it’s often referred to as the ‘aqua technique’, or ‘apple aqua technique’, or ‘aqua buttons’. It can be accomplished in raster and vector!
Just do a search and you will find a ton of tut’s covering the subject. 🙂

Vince

[Vincent Rosati]

Maybe try the Measure Tool, in the Eyedropper button.

Vince

[Vincent Rosati]

Click Window/Tools.
Mess around with these.

I prefer editing in the timeline. Some like to do their editing via the monitor window.

Anyway…

V – Selection Tool: For grabbing and moving whole clips, you can also use this tool at the head or tail of a clip to set in/out points.
C – Razor Tool: For making cuts within a clip.
B – Rolling Edit Tool: Try using this when you have two clips next to each other, and understand it’s behavior.

Those are the tools that I use the most, but practice with all of them so you know what they do.

Vince

[Vincent Rosati]

Welcome Mikael- If you get a chance, fill out ‘System Details’ in your profile so we can see the strengths or weaknesses of your system.

Are you doing cell animation or keyframe animation? Either way, to get a good preview, press Enter or click Sequence/Render Work Area. As you add clips to the timeline you may see a red line at the top of the sequence, this indicates that you need to render a preview for accurate playback.

Other considerations: defragmenting, additional ram, multiple hard drives for storing source files, Project/Project Settings/General/Playback Settings… Uncheck all options for playback on DV hardware.

Vince

[Vincent Rosati]

Hello Butch- I Use PS CS2, so my response may not be accurate if you are using CS3, as I understand that there have been some changes in the ImageReady integration.

In PS CS2 you would ‘Edit In ImageReady’ by clicking on the button at the bottom of the tool box, to open the animation timeline.
It is here that you would animate your layers, than File/Preview In…(browser), and finally File/Save Optimized As…/ .gif (or File/Export/SWF).

(Just Guessing) If you’re in PS CS3, open Window/Animation to open the animation timeline. Create your animation, which you would preview by clicking the Plays Animation button at the bottom of the timeline, than File/Save For Web.

If you’re simply having an issue of creating the actual animation, let us know.

Vince

[Vincent Rosati]

For examining AV clips, I highly recommend you get GSpot…
https://www.headbands.com/gspot/

Open any video clip with Gspot and it will tell you all kinds of information about the formats used in the file.

Again, the ideal settings for pre-processing your audio is matching them to the output settings in your video project.

🙂

Vince

[Vincent Rosati]

For examining AV clips, I highly recommend you get GSpot…
https://www.headbands.com/gspot/

Open any video clip with Gspot and it will tell you all kinds of information about the formats used in the file.

Again, the ideal settings for pre-processing your audio is matching them to the output settings in your video project.

🙂

Vince