Foundation Macromedia Flash MX [Illustrated] [Paperback]

Kris Besley (Author), Sham Bhangal (Author), Amanda Farr (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2002

If you're picking up Flash for the first time with the latest MX release and want a solid tutorial, this Foundation book is for you. It assumes that you want deep, lasting knowledge that will allow you to build up your Flash skills from a solid base. The book centers on a linear tutorial that covers the core features of Flash MX. Each chapter blends theory and practice, with plentiful practical examples, and a case study that runs throughout the whole book to reinforce the learning in an integrated, real-world context. The book promises deep learning that will stick in your mind.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

If you've read *Foundation Flash 5*, you should buy our *Flash MX Upgrade Essentials* book instead of this one."This book caters for web designers for who are adopting Flash for the first time with Flash MX. It's based on the highly-successful and much-acclaimed Foundation Flash 5, and uses the same heavy-duty, sequential, detailed and thorough tutorial method, but it's fully updated to cover the new and enhanced features in MX. If you're coming to Flash completely from scratch, this book will give you the broad and solid foundation for exploring MX's higher-end features.

About the Author

Kris Besley is a dedicated Flasher and freelance developer/author. Sham Bhangal is a renowned Flash author, with a list of acclaimed titles to his credit. Amanda Farr is a long-time Flash user and evangelist, and was the founder and webmaster for one of the most popular Flash resource sites.

Product Details

• Paperback: 600 pages
• Publisher: Friends of ed; illustrated edition edition (April 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1903450101
• ISBN-13: 978-1903450109
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,607,175 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Humble Beginnings, January 10, 2003

By 

"reading_cat" (from Asia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Foundation Macromedia Flash MX (Paperback)

The reasons that the other reviewers found as cause for complaint about this book are the very qualities that I needed: Bite-sized lessons and lots of explanation. These are the things that were missing in my other Flash MX tutorial book (Flash MX Training from the source) that got me really stumped!

I don't mind this humble approach at all. I didn't expect Foundation Flash MX to take me to the details of Action Script or other technical stuff or turn me into a guru like some of your guys. (In my dreams!) That would be work enough for other books and very propitious events like the next ice Age. Just like in baseball, I just needed to swing my bat, hit the ball right, get on the first base and be ready for the next run. Exactly what Foundation Flash MX does for me.

I recommend this book to those who are learning on their own and can't seem to come to grips with the software.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Exceptional, concise, and understandable, June 3, 2002

By 

Dennis Stein (N. Yarmouth, Me United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Foundation Macromedia Flash MX (Paperback)

The book is organized in a way that makes sense- from the basics to the more advanced aspects. The explanations of tools, etc. are straight forward. I am able to read this and follow the step-by-step procedures for the various examples without having to wonder what the authors are trying to convey(always a good sign). I have tried to use Flash for a few months, without much success beyond animation. The book helps me to more easily understand the basics of actionscript and to put scripting to use for the first time. The authors also leave out some of the handholding in some of the examples, letting me work it out on my own. Overall, an outstanding job by the authors.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Flash MX Foundation, October 30, 2002

By 

"myl7m" (Alexandria, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Foundation Macromedia Flash MX (Paperback)

I'm a CS major whose desire to learn new tools is waning, so understand that I had apprehensions about picking up another tech book to sit on my shelf. Needless to say, after going through the entire book, I have found Foundation Flash MX to be...

A great, easy-to-read book, with step-by-step examples providing solid foundation for real projects using tool, sans ActionScript.

When reading through the book, I recommend skipping the ActionScript write up, in favor of going straight to Foundation ActionScript MX, which, incidentally, makes no assumtion that you've read Foundation Flash MX.

My only minor gripe is the lack of integration between the two closely related books.

Enjoy!