Flash based web sites and elements are quickly spreading through the web, consuming people in the intricate designs and flashy animation. Like any addiction, this program is soon to consume all of web development! In this book,Macromedia Flash MX for Windows & Macintosh, written by Katherine Ulrich, Flash MX most resourceful elements are broken down in an easy-to-read format. A compilation of knowledge that even the beginning-user can understand.
Basic Contents of this book
This 600+ page power-knowledge packed guide contains these sections:
Dedication
Thank You
Contents at a Glance
Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: The Flash Authoring Tool
Chapter 2: Creating Simple Graphics
Chapter 3: Modifying Simple Graphics
Chapter 4: Complex Graphics on a Single Layer
Chapter 5: Graphics on Multiple Layers
Chapter 6: Saving and Reusing Graphic Elements
Chapter 7: Using Non-Flash Graphics
Chapter 8: Frame-by-Frame Animations
Chapter 9: Animation with Motion Tweening
Chapter 10: Animation with Shape Tweening
Chapter 11: More-Complex Animation Tasks
Chapter 12: Interactivity with Simple Frame Actions
Chapter 13: Interactivity with Objects
Chapter 14: Adding Sound and Video
Chapter 15: Introducing Complex Interactivity
Chapter 16: Delivering Movies to your Audience
Appendix A
Index
Contents in the chapters
This book begins with the history of where and when Flash originated and the potential future of Flash development. Basic concepts of utilizing the basic toolbox, creating and modifying simple graphics are explained in detail. Each chapter is loaded with added black and white mini-screen shots to show the reader what they will be seeing on their screen, and tips and hints on to make your graphics excel.
Chapter 4 moves into more complex alteration techniques. Here, You will learn how to work effectively with complex graphics, and gain a better understanding on how Flash generated objects interact. Chapter 5 discusses these elements while on different layers. Interaction is a very important concept that all Flash users must utilize to be successful. And in Chapter 6, the technique of re-using your graphics as symbols is discussed in depth. Chapter 7 details the use of bitmap and JPEG graphics in your Flash files.
Chapters 8, 9 and 10 move on to the actual animation of your graphics. The tools and techniques of animation start from the beginning of understanding the user interface to moving and rotating objects around the screen by onion skinning, tweening, and motion guides. Chapter 11 teaches the reader how to stack multiple animations, objects, and multiple layers to build a more exciting movie.
Chapter 12, Ulrich goes beyond animation with the addition of ActionScripts. The Actions Panel, Script Mode and Customization of these tools are discussed in depth, to format a creation of user interaction, rather than just a playable movie clip. Chapter 13 shows the reader how to design movie clips and Flash projects where the end user can have control! Learn to design your projects by adding buttons, or using your existing objects, so that the viewer can control what they want to see.
Chapter 14 discusses the background elements of Sound and video data. Ulrich explains the decompression process of sound and video during playback of Flash files, and how to compress them for easier uploading. The author explains the process of editing your sound files, and how to customize your sound effects in this chapter.
Chapter 15 goes in to further depth on interactivity, from chapters 12 and 13. The author covers Manipulating variables, Invisible variables, Conditional Actions and manipulating ActionScript. And Chapter 16 discusses the finalization settings of your movie. In this chapter, the author details optimizing your movie for playback, Publishing and Exporting, Flash Player settings and Movie Placement in the browser. This guide comes to an end with the appendix of Keyboard Shortcuts, and the Index.
My Thoughts
Macromedia Flash MX for Windows & Macintosh, written by Katherine Ulrich, is a very resourceful tool for beginner to intermediate Flash users. The chapters of this book are designed with visual diagrams to help the reader “see” what they will see while compiling their projects. This book is packed with basic and intermediate knowledge of Flash, resulting in a proficient Flash programmer! And the best thing is, its CHEAP.
I have this book sitting on my desk; it is an awesome reference tool. I have been using Flash MX for a couple years back, and I still find this guide handy for a quick knowledge refresher. Whether you are a beginning user, or even an intermediate user, this guide will help you advance your skills further into the Flash-programming world!
Each section of this book contains vital information on making your project a work of art. I find the last chapter most resourceful, as it illustrates many ways to compact and deliver your new work-of-art to your audience. The first six chapters are designed for the starting Flash programmer, with easy to read lingo, and teaching the basic techniques to get started. I particularly enjoy the screen shots in the book, it is very helpful when using for reference points.
Another thing I like about this book is the layout. It isn’t overloaded with full pages of text only. The text is an easy-to-read size and generally on the mid to outside of the pages, while screen shots, diagrams and pictures are located on the inner portion of the pages, completing the author’s full idea. The tips are bolded with a check mark beside, and suggestions in a grayed box for easy finding, which you will find one or the other on almost every page. The chapters and contents are grayed on the outside portion of the pages, so that you can easily find your content for reference. And the general organization of the book begins with basic concepts and ends with the more complex material.
Drawbacks
This book does have one link, on the outside cover, to the “Companion Web Site”, that includes updates and helpful flash files, but no links inside the book to additional tips or help. This book also does not come with a CD Rom with lessons or examples. The user must make their own projects, if one has no knowledge of this program that could lead to difficulties in the beginning.
The book is purely black, white and grey. There aren’t any color-coded references. And the biggest drawback I see is that this book doesn’t go beyond the intermediate level. If you are reaching the advanced-user level, this book is not for you. But if you are just starting out, or intermediate, this book will expand your knowledge.
Recommended:
