Product Description

Long the industry standard for creating high-impact interactive Web sites, Macromedia Flash has just gotten a whole lot better--faster, easier, even more powerful--with the release of Flash MX. Whether you're a Flash pro looking to get up to speed quickly on this latest release or a novice eager to tap the power of MX for the first time, the task-based visual approach of this Visual QuickStart Guide is just what you need to make the most out of Flash MX.

In this volume, veteran journalist and author Katherine Ulrich covers it all--from the basics of vector animation to sophisticated interaction and transition effects--in the clear, concise prose readers have come to expect from this popular series. Beginners will want to devour the volume from cover to cover, while more experienced Flash users will be able to easily find just what they need, including complete coverage of all of the program's new features: a revamped interface, enhanced integration with Macromedia ColdFusion, dual authoring modes for designers and developers, and more. Loaded with tips and visual aids to reinforce the text, Macromedia Flash MX for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide will be your constant companion as you use Flash MX to take your Web pages to the next level.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #623915 in Books
• Published on: 2002-06-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 640 pages

From the Back Cover

Long the industry standard for creating high-impact interactive Web sites, Macromedia Flash has just gotten a whole lot better--faster, easier, even more powerful--with the release of Flash MX. Whether you're a Flash pro looking to get up to speed quickly on this latest release or a novice eager to tap the power of MX for the first time, the task-based visual approach of this Visual QuickStart Guide is just what you need to make the most out of Flash MX.

In this volume, veteran journalist and author Katherine Ulrich covers it all--from the basics of vector animation to sophisticated interaction and transition effects--in the clear, concise prose readers have come to expect from this popular series. Beginners will want to devour the volume from cover to cover, while more experienced Flash users will be able to easily find just what they need, including complete coverage of all of the program's new features: a revamped interface, enhanced integration with Macromedia ColdFusion, dual authoring modes for designers and developers, and more. Loaded with tips and visual aids to reinforce the text, Macromedia Flash MX for Windows and Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide will be your constant companion as you use Flash MX to take your Web pages to the next level.

About the Author

Katherine Ulrich is a writer and editor specializing in graphics, publishing, and multimedia software. Her career includes a 12-year stint at Macworld magazine, where, as a developmental editor, Katherine helped to develop and direct Macworld's how-to sections. She is the author of all previous editions of this book.

Customer Reviews

Brilliant, Just Brilliant!
This Book doesn't just have a pretty front cover! All the way through, all of the subjects go into great detail and step-by-step procedures. Each subject has very clear pictures, which really help to get your grounding of the workspace. Each chapter assumes that you haven't read anything in the other subjects in terms of using menus and graphics tools. Most subjects have little "Tip!" boxes, which is very helpful for when things aren't quite right.

If you are looking for advanced procedures, then I recommend another book!

But...

I would definitely recommend this book to beginners who have no knowledge of Flash MX.

Boring but covers the basics well.
This is the best introduction to Flash that I have yet come across. It's not perfect, but most of the others are far worse.

The book spends too much time on the static drawing tools. People use Flash for animation not for drawing; but you have to get to page 290 before animation is even mentioned. Drawing in Flash is not significantly different from using other drawing programs, and serious artists probably use other packages and import the drawings anyway.

Coverage of Actionscript is fairly basic. It's fine as an introduction, but you will need a proper programmers' book if you want to do proper programming.

The style is quite repetitive. This makes it boring to read from cover to cover, but helps when you are trying to look up a particular technique. Layout, typography and print quality are good, and the price is right.