Robert Penner's Programming Macromedia Flash MX [Paperback]

Robert Penner (Conductor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 24, 2002 | ISBN-10: 0072223561 | ISBN-13: 978-0072223569 | Edition: 1st

Renowned Flash wizard and innovator Robert Penner reveals the fascinating programming and design concepts behind his signature creations. Detailing his groundbreaking designs, this book showcases Penner's work that merges maths and design with Flash. You'll get an inside look at his sophisticated and unique approach to design - which incorporates advanced ActionScript programming - and discover exclusive techniques associated with some of the most groundbreaking interactive designs ever created.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"Gives Macromedia Flash developers the foundational best-practice OOP examples they've been craving for years. New and experienced OOP programmers will appreciate Penner's reassuring hand." --Colin Moock, Author of ActionScript: The Definitive Guide

Robert Penner--a renowned ActionScript innovator--shares his extensive insights into the world of Macromedia Flash programming. A Macromedia Flash disciple, Penner shares his genius in integrating the complexities of mathematics and physics with the calm, clean aesthetic of Macromedia Flash graphics. Learn the elemental theories of space, math, color, motion, and shape, then discover practical methods of employing theory to create a hybrid of organic and technological beauty. From the mechanics of motion design and architecture, to the industrial-strength object-oriented code that will help you create colors, sounds, motion, and interaction, Robert Penner's Programming Macromedia Flash MX will take you to the limits of your imagination.

• Understand mathematical principles and their possibilities within Macromedia Flash
• Extend Macromedia Flash with the versatility and strength of object-oriented ActionScript
• Follow case studies to understand the thought process behind a snow storm, fractal dancer, and aurora borealis
• Create dynamic Macromedia Flash design and animation with ActionScript

About the Author

Based in Vancouver, Canada, Robert is a freelance Flash developer, consultant and speaker, with a focus on math and object-oriented design. A moderator and Featured Artist at Ultrashock.com, Robert is known worldwide for his technical innovation and organic style. He has developed such innovations as Flash back button integration and mathematical easing equations. Robert is active in the Flash community, moderating several forums on Ultrashock and wrangling OOP with the Chattyfig Flashcoders. His work with Axis-media.com earned him two Flash Film Festival finalist nominations. Robert's portfolio and experiments are online at http://robertpenner.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 480 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill/OsborneMedia; 1st edition (October 24, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0072223561
• ISBN-13: 978-0072223569
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,714,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert studied philosophy at Trinity Western University in Vancouver, B.C., graduating in 1999. Soon after that, he tried Flash 4 and has been hooked ever since. After working as an independent contractor for several years, Robert was hired by Adobe in 2006. He is now a software engineer on the Flash Authoring team, adding features to Flash with ActionScript and JavaScript. Robert specializes in areas of math, animation and music.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars No real-world application, December 16, 2002

By 

Grahm - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robert Penner's Programming Macromedia Flash MX (Paperback)

Don't get me wrong... this is a good book for some... but for most this is just another book in a big stack of Flash books that has no real-world application what-so-ever.

This book essentially has 3 parts:

1. How the author got into flash.
2. Equations
3. What the author can do in flash.

Now it should be mentioned that this book has NO examples and that in chapter one it is clearly stated that this book is not and was not intended to be a tutorial book. Now, having said that, future buyers should be wary in that you really will not be told how or shown how to do anything with this book. The author is essentially saying, "Here are some equations you can use in flash, but I'm not going to show you how to use them, or what to use them for."

Those of you familiar with the blue book for automobiles will find that this book reads strikingly similar. By this I mean the blue-book will tell you about cars, but not how to operate or service one. Likewise, this book will tell you about flash and some things flash can do, but not how to do them.

To a developer/designer like myself who is actually out creating sites for clients this book offers next to nothing. However, this book is great I imagine for those people who just create visual effects you would never see on a normal website. By this I mean I've never had a client request a snowstorm or a tornado on a project. And I do NOT mean mousetrailers, interface design or any of the good real world creations.

This book will also appeal to those who just like to read manuals, in that you don't need to have a computer to do anything related to this book. As mentioned earlier, because you don't actually do anything in this book, all you need is the book (you don't even need flash). This book can easily be summed up in, "Here is an equation, here is another equation, and here is another equation. Here are some things that I did with those equations in which you will never find any real world use for unless you get your own book deal some day and then you can pass them along". This book is only a reading book, and can be read cover to cover without even needing to turn your computer on.

Now don't get me wrong, the book is entertaining to read and as stated earlier it clearly tells you in chapter 1 that it isn't going to show you how to do anything. It will, however, give you INSIGHT to programming in flash and enhance your skill in that area. Undoubtedly your math skills will improve as well. For this I give the book 5 stars. However, as I design and develop for a living, I need to know where the real-world application is... and this book has none... for that I give this book 1-star. Thus my review I have given 3 stars.

The author is supremely talented in mathmatics and programming and undoubtedly if he sat down and wrote a book that was practical for what flash is capable of turning the web into, it would be a knockout bestseller. Unfortunately this is not that book.

Another thing I find terribly ironic is that every flash book to date raves on the uses and superiority of flash over your standard HTML driven websites and yet when you visit any of these books authors websites you find a dinky 2 page site that is HTML driven... kinda makes you wonder eh?

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Where have you been all my (flash) life..., November 13, 2002

By 

Gianni D'Alerta (MIAMI, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Robert Penner's Programming Macromedia Flash MX (Paperback)

Incredible... I have read countless books on flash and specially on actionscript. Each has built up my understanding. This book has finally put it all into perspective. The examples are completely explained down to the thought process involved in coming up with the solution. Being that most flash designers come from a visual background, the book explains programming in a visual manner. Details like relating the makeup of an object with real life visual metaphors. The style of writing is to the point and at times witty and engaging... If you want to understand how the masters do what they do, you will not put down this book... great job...

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Flash-tastic!, November 1, 2002

By 

D. Caplan "dac" (New York, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Robert Penner's Programming Macromedia Flash MX (Paperback)

Robert Penner is a genius, oh yes, and he also a flash programmer extraordinaire. There should be more books like this on the market, incisive, creative and informative. Mr. Penner's take on object oriented programming in Flash is refreshing and innovative. The examples in this book are excellent and easy to understand, highly recommended.