Flash

Important things to remember when using Flash:

do NOT have Tweens in your Library
every object has it's own layer
pay attention to the order of key frames when tweening
save repeatedly
make everything a Symbol (F8) before tweening
Symbols have a blue outline around your object

TIMELINE

The TIMELINE is what makes Flash, Flash. Each number in the TIMELINE represents time. If different objects are in your scene at different times, when your scene is played it moves like a movie.

The eye lets you make some layers visible, the lock will lock a layer so it can not be edited, and the box shows all layers as outline.
The first image inserts a new layer, the folder makes a folder for your layers, and the trashcan deletes layers or folders.
This section of the TIMELINE is for animating objects without tweens. The onion skin will let you see other layers than the one selected. This way you can see exactly where another object is in a different frame. Useful for moving objects across a scene.

TOOLBAR

The Flash Toolbar is like most Adobe products toolbars. Here is a run down on what the tools do:

Selection Tool (V) The most used tool in any Adobe product is the Selection tool, it will let you select things! You may then move, animate, or even make it disappear once it is selected.	Subselection Tool (A) The Subselection Tool is used only on curved lines. If a curve isn't quite how you want it be subselecting it, two more editing points are available to get it exactly how you need.	Free Transform Tool (Q) Free Transforming an object is easy but can get you into trouble later on. When you Free Transform, you are able to manipulate an object to the size and rotation you want. When you are done editing always remember to select it with the Selection Tool.
3D Rotation Tool (W) I bet you would have never guess that this tool is used to rotate an object... in three dimensions! It is only available in ActionScript 3.0, and is more of an advanced feature.	Lasso Tool (L) Oh how I love the Lasso Tool! Don't want the entire image? Cut some of it out with the Lasso Tool.	Pen Tool (P) Used to draw objects how you want them... Though that is a little difficult. It adds editable anchor points. The best thing about the Pen Tool, is that it can be edited after you finish. If an area is slightly off, you have the ability to "perfectify" it later.
Text Tool (T) This tool either puts text in your scene, or creates a wormhole in the space time continuum. I haven't quite figured it out. The text may be edited in the Properties Panel for various adjustments.	Line Tool (N) Need a nice straight line? Than this is the tool for you! Just click and drag for a perfectly straight line.	Rectangle Tool (R) If you liked the line tool, then you will like this tool if you need a rectangle, it does ovals too. Hold shift if you need a perfect square, and [alt] or [cmd] to have the center of the rectangle where you click.
Pencil Tool (Y) Pencil Tool is used to draw with a pencil. Just click and go wild. After you un-click it will adjust your line a little, usually for the better, but sometimes not. It's a little tricky.	Brush Tool (B) Need something a little more realistic than a pencil, you may want to give this tool a try. While drawing, it will make the line thinner/ thicker depending on how fast you move. Awesome technique for grass.	Deco Tool (U) The Deco Tool is a really fun tool to use. It has around ten pre programmed designs that are available. These designs will make your life easier. It has fire, smoke, lightning, and buildings, which would be a pain to do by yourself. Used just like brushes.
Bone Tool (M) More of an advanced tool, but it is used to add bones to people. This will make all the joints bend in the correct way so it does not look like your person is breaking his leg while walking. Only available in ActionScript 3.0.	Paint Bucket Tool (K) Have an area of your scene that needs to be filled with one color, use the Paint Bucket Tool for one click fulfillment.	Eyedropper Tool (I) Perfect for finding the exact color you need in an image. Select this tool, then put it over the color you want and click again. Now you have that color and may use it as a background, text, or line color.
Eraser Tool (E) If something needs to be erased, this may be your tool. Personally I always just use the Lasso Tool, but you may find this easier to use.	Hand Tool (H) Hand Tool is used to move objects in your scene. The Select Tool will also do this, but has the drawback of the possibility of clicking incorrectly and editing your object instead.	Zoom Tool (Z) Easy way to zoom in or out of your scene, it is not too complex.
This Tool looks different. It's because it is your color palette, not really a Tool. The box below the pencil is used for your pencil color, and the box below the Paint Bucket is used as your paint bucket fill color. Which can be changed in their own tool, but this always shows the color for easy recognition.	Snap to Objects I always have this checked. It helps find corners and lines to make it easier when lining objects up, it finds the line other objects are placed on and snaps to it.

TWEENS

Keyframes
The first step to understand tweens is to know what a keyframe is. A Keyframe tells Flash that something is happening in that frame.

What is a Tween?
A tween is an amazing tool. Instead of making each individual frame moving an object little by little, a tween makes those moves for you.

Difference between Motion and Classic Tween
A Motion tween creates keyframes for you when you edit your symbol. A classic Tween you must add a beginning and end keyframe. It is up to you to determine when to use each.

How to make a Classic Tween?
Right click anywhere between your beginning and end key frame in the timeline and choose Create Classic Tween.

How to make a Motion Tween?
Right click anywhere in the timeline where your object is and right click. Choose Create Motion Tween and then edit your object in the time slot you want.

Tutorials

Learn how to insert text, insert an image, and create an animation in Adobe Flash CS5 from an SVSU student!

Learn how to use the bone tool from an SVSU student.

SVSU BONE TOOL

Tweens are an important part of Flash, as such you should learn how they work quickly. This website will help you do just that in videos and detailed typed out instructions.

Need more than just tweens? Same website as the one above, but has more options to learn other than tweens.

This site has youtube videos from lynda.com It begins with simple things: What is Flash, how to make an oval, and using the Brush tool. It covers more advances features like the Bone tool as well.