Flash MX 3D Graphics Bible [Paperback]

Matthew David (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2003 | ISBN-10: 0764537113 | ISBN-13: 978-0764537110

* Macromedia Flash MX is the world's hottest Web development tool, with more than 500 million users and one million designer/developers
* Covers essential information for Flash developers who are developing games, marketing materials, training materials, and more
* Shows how to create 3D Flash applications using Flash's built-in tools, plug-ins, Swift 3D, Plazma 3D, Discrete 3D, and other leading products that export to the Flash format
* CD-ROM includes scores of examples from the book, plus tryouts of Flash and leading Flash 3D applications

Editorial Reviews

Review

“…Bible guides have historically been excellent introductions to their subject matter as well as good reference tools for experts, and this is no exception…”(PC Utilities – Editors Choice, July 2003)

From the Back Cover

"The Flash MX 3D Graphics Bible is a key resource to bring the impact of 3D into your Flash design"
–Mike Soucie, President/CEO Electric Rain, Inc. – Makers of Swift 3D

Here’s all you need to create stunning 3D graphics designed specifically for delivery through Flash MX

Over 98 percent of the people accessing the Internet are using Flash, and with Matthew David’s step-by-step guidance and a dash of ActionScript, you can add that powerful third dimension to your Flash MX graphics. Create 3D applications using Flash’s built-in tools and plug-ins as well as third-party software – Electric Rain’s Swift 3D, Discreet’s plasma and 3ds max, and other leading products that export to the Flash format – and watch your games, marketing projects, and training materials spring to life.

Inside, you’ll find complete coverage of Flash MX 3D graphics development

• Build with primitives to create stunning 3D objects, then animate them with built-in Flash MX animation tools
• Benefit from extensive case studies and examples
• Discover how Flash MX 3D graphics can make marketing presentations, employee communications, and training materials more productive
• Find out the best ways to optimize your content for delivery over the Web
• Tighten integration between third-party products and Flash MX, and integrate 3D with 2D design
• Explore design techniques and learn how to import your 3D creations into Flash MX
• Test-drive demonstration versions of Director MX and FreeHand MX, and see how they integrate with Flash MX

Bonus CD-ROM

• Macromedia Flash MX, Director® MX, and FreeHand® MX trial versions
• Demo versions of 3ds max™, plasma, and Swift 3D®
• All examples from the book
• Links to the author’s favorite online resources for the latest information about 3D, design, and Web site technologies

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 696 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (May 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764537113
• ISBN-13: 978-0764537110
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,450,957 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flash MX 3D Graphics Bible, June 3, 2003

By 

Michael James (Atlanta, GA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flash MX 3D Graphics Bible (Paperback)

I recently picked up this desperately needed niche book. I bought Plasma specifically because I wanted to create 3d for Flash MX and Director MX. Plasma is practically built for both of them, however, plasma's documentaion is weak and lacks intuitive examples for use with Flash MX. This book is EXACTLY what is needed in the marketplace on this subject right now.

I commend John Wiley & Sons for publishing this niche product and using an author who is obviously a veteran of the products. Matthew uses extensive case studies and examples detailing how to integrate 3d content in Flash MX. Swift 3d is covered as well (which I don't own so I skipped the chapter), but half the book covers Plasma to Flash MX integration. There is even a chapter dedicated to integrating Plasma 3d content and Director MX. Basically, this book should be packaged with Discreet's Plasma for anyone interested in integrating 3d content with Flash MX and Director MX.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Poorly done!, August 10, 2003

By 

Michael D. Toler - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flash MX 3D Graphics Bible (Paperback)

Waste of time and money. Pretends like it's going to tell you how to set up a 3d graphics engine and does no such thing. There's a little matrix math at the end of chaper 4 pretending to be a 3d manipulator BUT THERE'S NO CORRESPONDING CODE ON THE CD! The OTHER chapters have their code on the CD, but not this one. It makes me wonder if this one little bit of seemingly honest 3d code ever actually even worked. The matrix equations on pages 142 and 143 are totally screwed up like a proofreader never even LOOKED at the thing. Whole rest of the book is a pointless rehash of how to use Flash, Swift, Plasma and stuff you could get out of the respective user's manuals.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Poor form, June 13, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Flash MX 3D Graphics Bible (Paperback)

A very poorly written book that ended up raising many more questions than answeirng them. I really question whether or not I was instructed in the correct way at all. Perhaps it was rushed, or perhaps the author just does not know the subject. From how it was handled, I am pretty sure the latter at least is true to some extent. I will have to find another book, I think.