Flash animations add pizzazz to Web sites. They can be used to demonstrate a technique, showcase a product in action, or simply provide movement and, well, "flash" to an otherwise staid site.

But if you've been immersed in print publishing, or if your Web skills are basic at best, then the idea of tackling Flash may seem daunting. The concepts may appear incomprehensible and terminology unfamiliar.

Never fear: This book excerpt uses an entirely visual approach to learning Flash MX 2004. Through compelling graphics you'll understand how a timeline works, what a keyframe is, and how an onionskin is applied.

In this excerpt from "Teach Yourself Visually Flash MX 2004," you'll see (literally!) how easy it is to create Flash animations.

Note: Because of the graphic-intensive presentation of the material, this file is very large. We have compressed the PDF as a 34MB .zip file. Download when your schedule permits. Please be patient.

To begin downloading control- or right-click the link "Creating Animations in Flash."

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Excerpted from "Teach Yourself Visually Flash MX 2004" by Sherry Kinkoph. Copyright © 2004 Wiley Publishing. All rights reserved. Reproduced here by permission of the publisher.