Macromedia Flash MX Developer's Guide [Paperback]

P. S. Woods (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 19, 2002 | Series: Developer's Guides (Osborne)

High-demand-Flash skills and techniques are essential for anyone involved in Web motion - and this book delivers the goods. It gives advanced developers everything they'll need to extend the already extensive functionality of Flash. It provides intermediate to advanced users with the tools necessary to master the production process and create professional applications. It is an ultimate resource-filled with developer's tips on managing file size and working with sound and interactivity features. It includes CD-ROM featuring code from the book.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Your Professional Resource for Developing with Flash MX

Maximize the capabilities of Macromedia Flash MX--the preeminent tool for Web-based, interactive, multimedia applications, animation, and content generation--with the advanced development strategies in this professional resource. Inside, you'll find full details on using all of Flash's versatile elements, developing with ActionScript, utilizing dynamic data from MySQL using PHP, integrating with third-party development tools such as SWF Studio, QuickTime, and Director, and creating Flash 3D vector animation with low-cost tools. Build flexible, fast-loading Web pages and applications using Macromedia Flash MX and this expert resource.

• Use ActionScript--from basic features to advanced techniques
• Incorporate programmatic motion into your Flash applications
• Integrate data from dynamic sources
• Build a Flash front end for PHP/MySQL applications
• Read, parse, and format XML data in Flash
• Optimize audio and visual elements for streaming
• Build Flash and JavaScript bridged applications
• Create engaging Flash designs using traditional design principles
• Set attractive text with proven typographic principles
• Model and rig 3-D characters and animations for Flash vector animation

About the Author

P.S. Woods (Seneca Falls, NY) is a freelance Web developer and consultant. He has contributed many articles and product reviews to the Flash community through the Web Developers' Virtual Library (www.wdvl.com). In his consulting career, he has been retained by clients as small as a storefront ISP in the Mojave desert and as large as Price Waterhouse Coopers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 840 pages
• Publisher: Osborne/McGraw-Hill; 2nd edition (April 19, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072195592
• ISBN-13: 978-0072195590
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,191,875 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Tons of information, well organized, and not too wordy, June 3, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Macromedia Flash MX Developer's Guide (Paperback)

I read these reviews all the time, and I wonder about the people writing them. As you'll note, my review's title is diametrically opposed to another review posted for this book. Basically, it's like this. This is a fine book. The author is a good writer. The coverage and organization is thought out. He obviously spent a substantial amount of time researching Flash and ActionScript, as well as associated technologies covered in the book. Basically, this is a 5-star piece of work. Why people who can verily write a square sentence feel the need to lambaste professional authors is beyond me, and no, I am not the author's brother. If you buy this fine tome, you will not be disappointed.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I disagree with the other reviews. This book is worth your $, October 3, 2002

By 

J. Garraffo (Long Island, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Macromedia Flash MX Developer's Guide (Paperback)

I don't generally write reviews on Amazon, but I just happened to take a look at the reviews for this book and found them unjust and wanted to share my views. My reason for purchasing this book was the extremely well documented chapter dealing with XML and Flash. I recently took the Flash Developers Exam and did not do so hot on the XML section of the test. After reading the first 5 pages in this chapter I found all the question I got wrong on the exam. Their coding styles teach you how to use the a lot of the new Flash MX features which is a huge help if you are just now coming over from Flash 5 (or earlier). I found that a good portion of the book covered topics that was covered on the test and really made me surprised as to how much I really didn't know about Flash. This is a book every Flash DEVELOPER should have on their shelves...

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I'm shocked!, July 18, 2002

By 

"ririck66" (PARIS, FR France) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Macromedia Flash MX Developer's Guide (Paperback)

I've read some reviews here and I'm shoked. These good reviews are not true.
I am really disappointed from this book.
I've read many flash mx books and I can say this is NOT a Flash mx book. This is a Flash 5 book badly (very badly) rearranged to the Mx sauce. It tells you that video in Flash Mx (!) is not so important so it is better to talk on using flash in quicktime. It talks you about Flash Generator (Generator is an obsolete Macromedia product and most of it's function are now included in Mx). I'm sorry to see the author dedicates the books to his parents. Shame on him.