Customer Reviews

Macromedia Flash MX Production Techniques

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Macromedia flash MX production techniques by MD Dundon is incorrectly titled. I would expect a book on production techniques to include at least one production technique. I was hoping to find in this book examples of how to organize content, design layout, and structure your flash files for a production environment where the content of your flash files changes frequently at the whim of the client or changing needs of the project. I was hoping that this book would cover methods of using external images and movie clips, external variable files for textual content, and the powerful XML interface. Given a thorough understanding of these elements one could create a Flash layout or framework and populate it dynamically according to the needs of the situation, chronological needs, or changes in project requirements. This is how I would define a production environment. However, this book was not written with a production environment in mind.

There are 11 chapters and 303 pages of text. Chapter 1 is entitled "Setting up your workspace". This seemed to be a good start as, in a production environment, your workspace is critically important. Just as a chef would not start cooking without careful attention to her mess en place, a flash developer would not start creating flash files without organizing the space for efficiency. However, chapter 1 is identical in concept and structure to every other "learn basic flash" book on the market. If you need a basic book where concepts like, "stage," "timeline" and "toolbar" need to be explained, this may very well be an adequate book. But it almost completely lacks information the day-in/day-out flash developer/designer would need the help them develop a true production environment.

Although exceedingly minor, considering the books abject failure in presenting information that a production developer would find useful, the illustrations used throughout the book appear as if created by someone with negligible artistic ability. The case can be made, especially in flash books, that illustrations can be so overblown as to obscure the instruction. However, in a book designed for flash professionals, one could expect a modicum of design skill. The illustrations are so bad, they detract from the instruction by making the designer think, "I haven't drawn a stick figure since I was three, and even then they were better than the ones presented in this book."

I wanted to return the book, so I didn't open the CD and cannot comment on its quality, use, or value. The web site, http://www.flash 411.com/books/did not, when I tried to look it up, exist.

All told, the book was a significant disappointment. It did not cover production techniques, it did not cover ActionScript in any meaningful way, and I didn't even mention the XML object. Having been a professional web developer since there has been a web, I bought more then my share of dubious-quality books. This book, however, has the distinction of being, I believe, the first I've ever returned.

Macromedia Flash MX Production Techniques is a must buy for your Flash MX library. As stated in the title, this book covers the aspects of efficient production. The book contains 11 chapters. Each chapter explains the Flash concepts that you need to understand in order to accomplish your production tasks. The procedures are written in a clear and logical style, followed by practice sessions. Although the book is written at a basic level, Flash users of all levels will benefit.

I bought the Flash program a couple of years ago but never had got around to learning it in any comprehensive way. Finally, a potential project was looming on the horizon so I signed up for MD's online Flash Production class. It was great! As a working professional, she knows what's required to produce professional level work efficiently, and created for us a well-structured, comprehensive course. We went from being absolute newbies to competent production machines in just a semester (and with her unique style we had a lot of fun doing it, too!) The projects were well-planned and built up in complexity and scope to consolidate skills and impart professional production approaches and techniques. The class paid for itself almost immediately as I started to pick up some client projects. She's used the same great approach with this book, which is an excellent curriculum for getting started doing professional work in Flash MX.

Keeping up with technology is a big part of my job even though there is never enough time in the day. "Flash MX product tech" provides me with vital tips that Macromedia leaves out of their literature. Important issues about file structure and organization techniques, optimization, coding tips and much more. I am able to use this reference on a daily basis as I move through the process of developing a better understanding of Flash, making me a more confident flash developer.