Hello! Novice begging your advice and wisdom!

[complete novice]

Hi everyone - fantastic forum!

As my username suggests, I am a complete novice when it comes to the world of graphic design, however, I am launching a new website (not me building it - paying someone else) so I think its time to learn.

Unfortunately our budget has pretty much been blown on the site.

I know Im jumping in at the deep end here, but I want to create a flash file for our launch page.

I'm fairly competent in Photoshop (competent - not good!) but I always believe I can give anything a go if Im patient enough.

Anyway, basically, I want to recreate this flash piece as seen here:

Zoovillage.com


Exactly the same, but would like to change the images within the frames and of course the text.

I just don't know where to start though. I believe I need a flash decompiler?

then I can just tell it which new images to refer to in the HTML file?

(since I basically want to change the images within the file, would this be a simple job?)

Can I download a shareware version of Adobe Flash CS ?

sorry if these are stupid questions.

thanks for reading this

[Arkady]

First of all Hi there and welcome to GDF.
I think it's unlikely you're going to get much help from anyone here to infringe someone else's copyright.
Excuse me if I've misunderstood your intent, but that's what it sounds like to me.

[complete novice]

hi -

thanks for your response.

Not sure what you mean by infringing on copyright as the imagery is being changed, and surely you cant copyright the idea of advertising hoardings lighting up?

alternatively, what would be a reasonable fee for me to get a freelancer to do this job for me?

thanks again

[LeadMagnet]

Well you want to exactly copy that flash, that's what you said. That's infringing on the copyright of whoever made that piece. It's theft of an idea (whether it was original itself we can't know, but it's theft nonetheless).

[brokendalek]

Hi and welcome!

You need to be careful when seeking inspiration from another site, if you make it exactly the same but just with your links then the original creator could get a bit upset.

I would advise if you want to do it go for a similar theme, but don't leave yourself wide open to accusations of plagiarism.

using ideas is ok (eg having a menu scroll in and then illuminate) weve all gota be inspired! but copying exatly is a no no!

[El Peligroso]

Al'reyt...

[Kira-Dee]

Welcome

[Mack]

pretty much when you say you think you need a flash decompiler, in most cases your looking to steal what they did. because the decompiler is going to download all the swfs, code and assets used.

if you do the design yourself. there are sites that you can download bits of code from to make it do what you want! you'll get a much better feeling of satisfaction knowing that this is something YOU made rather than looking over your shoulder for sum1s lawyer!