Flash^TM MX Savvy^TM

by Ethan Watrall; Norbert Herber

• ISBN13: 9780782141085
• ISBN10: 0782141080
• Edition: CD
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2002-06-01
• Publisher: Sybex

Summary

"A superb resource that budding Flash designers should not be without. This [Flash MX Savvy] is one of the best Flash MX tutorials yet produced. 5/5 stars" --3D World Magazine Savvy: practical know-how Flash MX is so powerful and versatile that even experienced web designers require additional help to move up to the next level. Focusing on program features as well as results, Flash MX Savvy anticipates your goals and uses professional examples to show you the best ways to attain them. You can either work your way through the book or zero in on any topic or group of tasks, from content creation to media integration to interactivity and ActionScript. Hands On tutorials allow you to apply different techniques to projects that will yield useful, real-world results. Web designers, animators, artists, and developers will discover what's new in Flash MX, learn the whys, not just the hows, and find a helpful ActionScript reference. Coverage includes: Content Creation: painting and drawing, text manipulation, reusable content. ActionScript: understanding ActionScript as a language, Movie Clip management and parameter control, plus a reference section with essential ActionScript terms. Interactivity: interface elements and controllers, new Flash components. Audio Integration: synchronization, compression schemes, scripting of audio interactivity. Media Integration: with audio applications, with Director, with CD-ROM content, with 3D animation. Check out the author's website at www.vonflashenstein.com/index.html

Author Biography

Ethan Watrall is an adjunct instructor in the Department of Visual Communications at Ivy Tech State College in Columbus, IN, where he teaches several web design classes. He is also a trained archaeologist, working on this Ph.D. at Indiana University. Norbert Herber creates and designs interactive experiences: visual and aural statements that communicate on the nonlinear, digital stage.

Table of Contents

Foreword	xxvii
Introduction	xxviii
PART I GETTING TO KNOW FLASH	1	(40)
Introduction to Flash	3	(8)
What's New in Flash MX	11	(6)
A Tour of the Flash Interface	17	(24)
Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts	37	(4)
PART II CREATING AND MANIPULATING VISUAL CONTENT	41	(116)
Painting and Drawing	43	(28)
Working with Text	71	(14)
Working with Objects	85	(22)
Creating and Manipulating Reusable Content	107	(28)
Adding Depth to Flash Graphics with Layers	135	(22)
Creating a Garden with Objects and Layers	149	(8)
PART III ANIMATING WITH FLASH	157	(58)
Animating with the Timeline	159	(22)
Working with Movie Clips	181	(12)
Using Scenes to Organize Animated Content	193	(22)
Animating a Space Scene	201	(14)
PART IV SCRIPTING FOR INTERACTIVITY WITH ACTIONSCRIPT	215	(54)
Adding Interactivity with Basic Actions	217	(24)
Creating Interactive Controls	241	(28)
Combining Basic Actions and Button Navigation to Create an Interactive Resume	259	(10)
PART V ADDING ADVANCED INTERACTIVITY WITH ACTIONSCRIPT	269	(118)
Understanding and Using ActionScript	271	(20)
Writing ActionScripts	291	(20)
Creating Advanced Interaction	311	(34)
Managing Data Input and Output	345	(16)
Troubleshooting ActionScript	361	(26)
Using ActionScript to Create an Interactive, Multilayered Timeline	377	(10)
PART VI WORKING WITH AUDIO	387	(88)
Understanding Digital Audio in the Flash Environment	389	(16)
Flash Audio Basics	405	(16)
Synchronizing Audio with Animations	421	(14)
Controlling Audio with ActionScript	435	(40)
Creating Dynamic Soundtracks with DoReMedia Sound Families	463	(12)
PART VII INTEGRATING FLASH WITH OTHER PROGRAMS	475	(104)
Working with Flash and Director	477	(20)
Working with Flash and FreeHand	497	(12)
Working with Flash and Digital Audio Applications	509	(22)
Making Flash 3D	531	(48)
Creating an Animated 3D Flash Logo	571	(8)
PART VIII PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTING YOUR FLASH MOVIES	579	(62)
Publishing Your Flash Movie	581	(20)
Working with Flash and Video	601	(24)
Using Flash for CD-ROM Development	625	(16)
Creating a Macintosh/Windows Hybrid CD Using Flash and Toast 5 Titanium	635	(6)
PART IX APPENDIX AND REFERENCE	641	(2)
Appendix Adding Cool Bells and Whistles	643	(22)
Reference ActionScript Reference	665	(48)
Index	713