Post by Todd Robinson on Jun 1, 2004 8:18:08 GMT -5
Since creating the original Family Feud software, several people have e-mailed asking how to create their own software. Even more recently, a few people have noted interest in creating Family Feud '94. While I take this as a high compliment, it also should be understood that learning how to create these programs isn't something you'll learn how to do overnight. Nevertheless, I have some tips if you want to get started with your own Flash game projects.
Here's a list of software I use.
Adobe Photoshop: This is what I use to create just about everything you see. The board, the panels, the podiums all were created in Photoshop. Photoshop is VERY intimidating at first as its not very intuitative and it will take you a long time to learn. I've spent five years learning Photoshop. My Photoshop tips; use layers for EVERYTHING, learn keyboard shortcuts, and be patient.
Hi-Logic Font Creator: The scoreboard numbers, Fast Money characters, and bold answer fonts were either created totally from scratch or heavily modified using this software. For the most part, this software is pretty easy to use.
Audacity: This is a simple wav editor. I take tapings from the show and modify the audio for use in my software using this program. It's a free download.
Macromedia Flash: Take all the graphics and sounds created from the above software and dump them all into this bucket of animating joy. This program is what's responsible for creating the "movie." You can probably create some simple movies on your first attempt at Flash but the more complex parts of this program necessary to manipulate and control variables takes a while to learn. My only tip for Flash is to keep using it over and over and over. It takes a long time to get used to Flash. There are STILL parts of Flash I've never touched.
To make a long story short, it takes a butt load of time and effort to make something as complex as a game show. While I don't want to discourage anyone from producing their own Flash movies, it's a LOT harder than you might think. Even if you have all the necessary software, you must have talent to make these tools work for you. Above creating Flash movies, I'm an artist and a musician. If I didn't have an eye and ear for this sort of thing, I couldn't produce impressive software.
If any of you feel you want to venture out and create your own Flash movies, please feel free to ask me questions you may have. Three things I will not do: 1) I will not hold your hand from project start to project finish; 2) I will not "give" you any software; and 3) You can NOT use anything I've created on my own.
Thank you.
Here's a list of software I use.
Adobe Photoshop: This is what I use to create just about everything you see. The board, the panels, the podiums all were created in Photoshop. Photoshop is VERY intimidating at first as its not very intuitative and it will take you a long time to learn. I've spent five years learning Photoshop. My Photoshop tips; use layers for EVERYTHING, learn keyboard shortcuts, and be patient.
Hi-Logic Font Creator: The scoreboard numbers, Fast Money characters, and bold answer fonts were either created totally from scratch or heavily modified using this software. For the most part, this software is pretty easy to use.
Audacity: This is a simple wav editor. I take tapings from the show and modify the audio for use in my software using this program. It's a free download.
Macromedia Flash: Take all the graphics and sounds created from the above software and dump them all into this bucket of animating joy. This program is what's responsible for creating the "movie." You can probably create some simple movies on your first attempt at Flash but the more complex parts of this program necessary to manipulate and control variables takes a while to learn. My only tip for Flash is to keep using it over and over and over. It takes a long time to get used to Flash. There are STILL parts of Flash I've never touched.
To make a long story short, it takes a butt load of time and effort to make something as complex as a game show. While I don't want to discourage anyone from producing their own Flash movies, it's a LOT harder than you might think. Even if you have all the necessary software, you must have talent to make these tools work for you. Above creating Flash movies, I'm an artist and a musician. If I didn't have an eye and ear for this sort of thing, I couldn't produce impressive software.
If any of you feel you want to venture out and create your own Flash movies, please feel free to ask me questions you may have. Three things I will not do: 1) I will not hold your hand from project start to project finish; 2) I will not "give" you any software; and 3) You can NOT use anything I've created on my own.
Thank you.
. Keep up the great work.