ANIMATION WITH FLASH NOTES

MOST IMPORTANT WINDOWS:
The Stage (where stuff is)
The Timeline (when stuff is)
The Tool palette (paintbrush for drawing, free transform tool for re-sizing etc.)
The Properties inspector (tells you everything about everything

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS:
'F5' adds frames (so extends your drawing for longer)
'Shift+F5' gets rid of frames (so gets rid of drawings)
'F6' adds keyframes (used to indicate a change of content - particularly for cut-out animation)
'F7' adds blankframes (used to create new drawings - particularly for traditional 'drawn animation)
'F8' converts drawings into symbols (used for cutout style animation)
',' and '.' moves the playhead backwards or forwards one frame
'control+enter' key previews your animation

ANIMATION STYLES:
Frame by Frame: hit F7 and draw a new picture.
Cut-out: hit F6 and move bits around (particular useful using symbols).
Automatic: Shape tweening for shapes (draw a line and extend the drawing in the timeline; hit F7 and draw different line; click between the two keyframes; choose tween/shape in the properties inspector. - Motion tweening for symbols (make a symbol; hit F6; move the second instance of the symbol; choose tween/motion in the properties inspector.

USEFUL CONCEPTS:
Onion-skinning allows you to see earlier or later drawings; this is pretty much essential for accurate timing and spacing of drawings.
Layers allow you to seperate picture elements ie. the background on one layer, characters on another. Also you can use them for 'sketching in' motion guides and roughs, only tracing in the neat versions when you're sure that it all works.

AUDIO:
import audio file;drag from the library to the stage; in the properties inspector, set the sync to 'stream'