Building an Application in Flash

[Greencardman]

Hi, I didn't know what forum to put this in so I decided to post here. Here's my question: does anybody know where to find info on how to build an application in Flash? I'm not talking about the actualy know-how, like coding or whatever, but more of how to get it to have the feel of an application. For instance, one example might be windows. If you want a window or box to pop up, how do you get it to look just like those windows that pop up for the operating system? Do they just appear? Or do they sort of come from somewhere, like a really fast motion tween. How do you make your flash app have these same attributes? Is there any info out there that tells you the little tricks and tips of how to make programs look, umm, natural so to speak, rather than the flat look that accompanies so many flash websites? I didn't really explain that well I'm sure, but if you think you know what I might be getting at, and you have any info it'd be much appreciated. Thanks

[tost]

i think you should decide what os, or what gui better, you want to simulate. mac os x might be a bit harder than mac os 9 :), just to say something.
the next step would be to take screenshots and blow 'em up so you can see every pixel to understand what makes these os-windows so special. it's all in the details. for example, don't use lines, but squares with a 1 pix height and whole pixel number coordinates (x=10.00 and y=-12.00 and not x=10.33 and y=-12.56). this will keep the edges unaliassed so they appear sharp and crisp.
continuity is very important, make sure everything is built the same way, has the same looks and feel, sound
for motion it's the same thing as for the design, detail detail detail. animations gotta be real fast to keep your os snappy, and be moderate. like the window outline: say you would have a file icon on a 'desktop' that opens a window when it is double-clicked, scaling a square with a black outline and no fill from your icon to the place where the window will appear in a few frames will look like the window pops up from the icon.
wow.. i just kept on writing :)
friends of ed (www.friendsofed.com) has a book called Flash MX Application & Interface Design (http://www.friendsofed.com/books/flash_mx_titles/inspiring_interfaces/index.html) (grab the last copies, those guys are sadly out of business)
greetz
tost

[tg]

you might also think about some additional products to help you, like screenweaver (http://www.screenweavermx.com/index.cfm?nav=0)... screenweaver providers added functionality, like the ability to communicate with the windows api to use things like dialog boxs in windows....

[Greencardman]

Hey, thanks for replying. I'm going to check screenweaver out and also check out the different os' to see which one I'd like to imitate.