The Official Guide to Authorware with CDROM (Macromedia Press Series) [Paperback]

Nick Roberts (Author)

Book Description

Series: Macromedia Press Series | Publication Date: July 1997

This is a guide to Authorware 4. It supports the Macromedia look/logo, documenting all the tools, tips and techniques for using Authorware in an icon-based, multimedia environment. There is a companion CD-ROM with examples and a demo version of the product.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Macromedia's Authorware 4 for Macintosh and Windows NT and 95 is a high-end multimedia development program for creating everything from instructional programs to entertainment applications. Written for beginning and advanced users, The Official Guide to Authorware 4 is an outstanding book that takes you through the entire program, so you can go from one chapter to the next or skip around as your proficiency allows. You create a flowline, which is a flowchart showing the structure of your program; add and manage text, graphics, animation, sound and video; develop interactivity and add navigational elements such as links, buttons, and menus; and use the software's scripting and data-handling features to further customize your work. You also learn how to integrate Macromedia Director movies into your project and work with Xtras, or add-ins, that work with Authorware. Finally, you package your work and prepare it for distribution, whether it's destined for a kiosk, a CD, a network, or the Web. Appendices show you functions and variables new to version 4, explain how to use Shockwave Audio, and list Web sites for learning more about the program and multimedia development. A hybrid CD includes a demo version of Authorware, sample Xtras, and sample applications created in Authorware.

Product Details

• Paperback: 686 pages
• Publisher: Macromedia Press (July 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201688999
• ISBN-13: 978-0201688993
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 1.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,441,515 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My favorite of three books on Authorware., April 6, 2000

By 

Richard Pate - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: The Official Guide to Authorware with CDROM (Macromedia Press Series) (Paperback)

There seem to be three types of books in circulation about Authorware. There is of course the User's Guide that comes with the product -- a good reference. Then there are tutorials, like "Authorware 5 Authorized" by Kellogg -- a good beginner's step by step how-to. But the best type of book (for me anyway) has been the "show & tell & try approach" type of book, like Nick Roberts' excellent "The Official Guide to Authorware 4." It is very well written in an interesting and casual style -- and you will find the author's enthusiasm for Authorware contageous as you delve deeper into the text. Excellent illustrations compliment the "visual" approach to constructing a piece via icons along a flow line. And you are told the logic of the "what & why" of the step-by-step examples before you do them -- a great aid in understanding (and actually learning) how to utilize Authorware's features. Too many times I've followed the tutorials of other books and end up with a nice looking functional result -- without really understanding along the way "why" I used the steps and procedures I was told to do.

And most important, this book came through for me in an area that I have not found in the other books -- variables, functions and expressions. Roberts eases the reader into this area, which is by far the core of Authorware's strength and flexibility. Then the reader gets into two or three chapters that deal with this area in depth. The material was so good I couldn't help but want more, but alas, I think an entire book could be written on just variables and functions.

Even though I use Authorware 5.1, I found this version 4 book 100% useful -- all it lacks is info on how to use 5.1's Knowledge Objects -- which surprisingly is also absent in the newer Authorware 5 books that I have seen. But from what I've heard from other folks, the lack of K.O. information is no great loss. I just hope that Nick Roberts comes out with another AW book one of these days -- maybe on AW 6 when it hits the market.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simple yet sophisticated and thorough, with helpful hints, November 14, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: The Official Guide to Authorware with CDROM (Macromedia Press Series) (Paperback)

Authorware has a steeper learning curve than most authoring programs. Taking this into account, Nick Robert's `The Official Guide to Authorware 4' takes a beginner through projects of intermediate complexity while providing experienced Authorware developers a leg up on Authorware 4. Don't flinch at buying this terrififc manual for Authorware 4 - the one that comes with the program is virtually useless. This book is written to clarify confusing concepts. It emphasizes what is really important and provides "Hot Tip" markers throughout. An accompanying CD-ROM provides examples to illustrate code and functionality. But because the Robert's explanations are already clear in the book, the CD-ROM is not that essential. On the down side, I would like to have a summary of not just new functions for Authorware 4, but also a comprhensive list. If you are new to Authorware and plan on using this book, plan to spend about ten hours reading the first six chapters (200 pages) and browsing around the authoring system, before you actually start building. This will ensure that you pick up the right building blocks for the foundations of your project. The remaining 14 chapters are task specific, and serve as excellent references.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars super book, I recommend it for anyone new to authorware!!!, August 14, 1998

By A Customer

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Official Guide to Authorware with CDROM (Macromedia Press Series) (Paperback)

This is a super book for both new users and advanced users alike. Mr. Roberts takes you through all the facets of authorware and gives you super tips for developing your piece for either mac or pc. I had never used a authoring program before, including authorware and after reading this book for couple of nights, I was developing my own stand alone windows based projects. I really wish to thank Mr. Nick Roberts for writing a easy to understand book. Keep up the good work. Cheers Rick