Here are the steps needed to create a flash banner.

1. Select Size - On the size tab, select the size that you want for your flash banner. The common sizes are listed on the size tab. You can also select a custom sized banner.

2. Select the Background - On the background tab you have 3 choices - a solid color, an image, or a gradient between two colors.

3. Add any Shapes or Images - The shapes tab and the images tab allow you to add in additional shapes and images to your banner. Shapes can be added on the shapes tab. Experiment with the different settings to get the desired shape. Shape backgrounds can be an solid color, image, or gradient between two colors.  If you want to add an image, go to the image tab and click on Add Image. You can select from any image in the images directory, or you can select from any image or logo available on your computer.

4. Add the Text - The text tab allows you to add the text for a banner. To add another line of text, click on the New Text button again and then change the line of text. The different properties such as size and font can also be changed. Any number of lines of text can be added. To go back and modify the previous text, click on the text with the mouse and then change the settings. To move the text use the arrows on the Tools menu or click and drag.

5. Select the Animation - Choose the animation that you want for your banner. To preview the animation, click on the Play button. Options include the ability to include or exclude the background, text, images, or shapes from the animation. The animation can also be sped up or slowed down. The number of times to loop is how long the animation plays. The first frame and last frame can also be delayed.

6. Save - Save the animation by clicking on the Save button on the save tab. This will create the .swf flash file. Once it is saved it can be previewed, emailed or ftped to a website. Note: You will need to create the html link code in order to add it to a website.

7. Create HTML Code - To place the completed flash banner on a website, click on the Create HTML Link Code button. The image location and directory is where you have placed the image on your remote website. (For example: http://www.mywebsite.com/images) The image file name is the name of the file created when you saved it. Click on the Create HTML Code to create the html code. You will need to copy this code and paste it into your webpage in order to view the flash banner. (Note: You will also need to copy the file to your website in order to work properly.)

See the next tutorial on how to put the flash banner on a website using MS FrontPage.