Macromedia Director 6 for Dummies [Paperback]

Lauren Steinhauer (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 18, 1997 | Series: For Dummies (Computer/Tech)

Macromedia Director is one of a variety of object-oriented multimedia applications on the market. This text breaks down the package and explores its wide array of authoring tools that let users create navigation buttons, introduce sounds in the middle of frames, provide full-blown interactivity and much more. It describes Director's "movie production metaphor", which effectively runs users through the development process, describing how a movie is created by placing objects on a stage and manipulating their transitions, timing and movements. The ability to easily integrate Shockwave technology with Director presentations indicates Macromedia's commitment to Internet technology, bringing to the Internet the interactive and graphical nature of applications that have long been restricted to CD-ROMs. Sample presentations on the attached CD show users the range of possibilities available with Director, including sample movies.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One of the hallmarks of the Dummies series is humor, making the learning process as fun and painless as possible while addressing the most basic issues that beginners need to understand. This is true for Macromedia Director 6 for Dummies, an outstanding book for multimedia novices. This guide provides a lot of hand-holding as it teaches you how to create animations and movies in Director 6. The author first defines multimedia and explains its components. Then she instructs you on how to launch the program and familiarizes you with the interface and new improvements to the program's help system, sprite-management features, and file-import support. Next, the author tackles meatier topics and shows you how to use Director's Cast Windows, Score Window, Paint Window, Text and Field Windows, Tool Palette, Color Palettes Window, Digital Video Window, and Markers Window. Finally, she teaches you how to use the basic elements of Lingo, Director's scripting language; use Drag-and-Drop Behaviors; add sound; understand cross-platform issues; and create Shockwave movies. The Part of Tens features ten common questions and answers about Director as well as ten interesting tips for animating your movies. Macromedia Director 6 for Dummies covers Windows and Macintosh versions of Director 6. A CD-ROM includes demo versions of Macromedia software programs, such as Extreme 3D and xRes, as well as Equilibrium DeBabelizer.

Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc (Computers) (September 18, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764502247
• ISBN-13: 978-0764502248
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,482,859 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1.0 out of 5 stars Typical "For Dummies" book, written for 5 year olds!!!, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Macromedia Director 6 for Dummies (Paperback)

Well simply put it ads nothing that the user manual does not, except for jokes my 9 year old nephew would find idiotic. The material described is not given on a practical level ... just here it is and you do the rest ... no working examples. To its credit it does decribe directors menus and items but thats where the line is drawn, I'm assuming any other book will do at least that anyway. This is the only book on Director I read and I can only hope the others are far better. Don't be fooled by the cheaper price!

1.0 out of 5 stars I spent money on this book??, December 5, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Macromedia Director 6 for Dummies (Paperback)

I've never really been a fan of the "Dummies" books (apart from the Unix one, which I did find useful during my course), but I thought I'd try "Director 6 for Dummies" because I was looking for a fairly cheap, quick overview.

What I got was a book written by someone who wants to let everyone know that what he really wants to be is a stand-up comedian. And he does this at the end of nearly every paragraph with one woeful "joke" after another.

I couldn't get past twenty pages. Even Letterman has better jokes.

To be fair, I can't comment on the technical aspect of the book, but I've thrown this one in the bin on my way to buying "Director 6 Bible".

If I can't read a book, what is the point in having it?

2.0 out of 5 stars Not worth it., February 3, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Macromedia Director 6 for Dummies (Paperback)

I read this cover to cover - while at times funny, it adds nothing to the manuals (which need additions). Spend a few bucks more and get real info.