Director 8 for Macintosh and Windows, Fifth Edition [Paperback]

Andre Persidsky (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 17, 2000 | ISBN-10: 0201702584 | ISBN-13: 978-0201702583 | Edition: 5th

Like the other books in Peachpit's popular QuickStart series, this one uses dozens of screenshots in each chapter accompanied by simple, step-by-step instructions to guide readers through the complexities of creating Director X "movies" for CD-ROM and the Web. Whether they use the book as a tutorial or reference, readers learn in no time how to combine bitmap graphics, digital video, sound, and text into creative interactive multimedia productions. Completely revised and updated with brand-new graphics, this book covers features new to version X, for both the Windows and Macintosh platforms. Macromedia Director is the program of choice for a wide variety of creative professionals who use it to produce Web content, CD/DVD titles and games, interactive advertising pieces, kiosks, and business presentations. It features easy-to-use drag-and-drop behaviors and a powerful object-oriented scripting language called Lingo, Director movies can be "shocked" with Macromedia Shockwave to prepare them for distribution over the Internet. Previous Edition ISBN: 0-201-35398-9.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Visual QuickStart series is terrific, and Director 8 for Macintosh & Windows is a worthy member of the group. Sporting a clear layout, easy-to-read type, and a tear-out keyboard shortcut guide that's printed on card stock, this book should be the one you reach for if you are learning or about to learn Macromedia Director.

Like the other books in the series, pages are divided into two columns: outer columns for step-by-step tutorials and explanations, and inner columns for screen shots. Each picture is annotated, and many of them have elements within the picture identified, too. Visual QuickStart Guides don't come with a companion CD-ROM, but that's one way that Peachpit Press keeps costs down. With the wealth of material that's available on Macromedia's site and on the Director installation CD-ROMs, there is little need for more.

There is, however, a need for clearly explained examples and tutorials, which this book recognizes. Its 18 chapters progress deeper and deeper into the program, and wind their way through the basics of using the program, animation, painting, addition of external elements like QuickTime movies and sound files, exporting for the Web, using Director Behaviors, and using scripts and Lingo. Lingo is Director's scripting language, and worthy of a book all its own (of which there are several); but, if you've never used it before, the chapter in this book will be more than enough to get your feet wet.

In light of the cost of the book, and the concise and descriptive step-by-step text, Visual QuickStart Guide: Director 8 for Macintosh & Windows is one of the best books for any new user of Macromedia Director. --Mike Caputo

From the Back Cover

Get up and running quickly with Macromedia's leading program in multimedia authoring. An easy, visual approach to teaching Director. Uses screenshots to guide you through the software. Set up to be used like a reference book: Look up just what you need to know to get right to work. Step-by-step instructions show you how. The book will be updated to include better graphics and have an expanded Web coverage. New Director 8 material will be covered.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 448 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 5th edition (June 17, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201702584
• ISBN-13: 978-0201702583
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,247,534 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, fast learning, August 23, 2000

By 

H. Kobler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Director 8 for Macintosh and Windows, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

I love the Visual Quickstart concept. It's great to show look at some many screenshots and visual examples of learning Director, instead of seeing one or two screen shots per page and having to read a bunch of paragraphs. I found I could just find a section quickly, and then glance at the text but focus on the screenshots and quickly understand the concept. I blew through the book in a hurry and was up and running with Director in a couple of hours. Anyway, the size of the book was perfect as well. Since I'm just starting with Director, I didn't want an absolute bible that overwhelmed me. At the same time, this definitely went beyond skimming the surface...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great guide!, June 18, 2000

By 

Peter Stack (San Jose, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Director 8 for Macintosh and Windows, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

I don't write reviews too often, but I found this book so helpful and clear that I felt you should know. It's also a great value!

The first chapter runs you through a complete Director movie example, so you feel oriented and see the forest from the trees before delving in deeper (I wish all computer books did that). The rest of the book exapnds on all of the major Director components, following a very logical flow so you really feel you're making progress. This book is generally much clearer and easier to follow than the Director documentation.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Quickstarter, July 6, 2000

By 

Jerry Reynolds (Hayward, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Director 8 for Macintosh and Windows, Fifth Edition (Paperback)

This book really helped me learn Director 8 fast! It contains useful and practical examples that make sense in the real world. Included are especially good sections on animation and web deployment, as well as a good starter on Lingo.

If you're looking to add Director to your resume of design skills, this book will get you to a solid intermediate level in less than a week.