Special Edition Using Macromedia Director 8 is a comprehensive guide to creating and publishing Director movies. This book provides in-depth explanation of the complex features of Director and Lingo, as well as power tips and techniques to maximize the features and tools. In this book you'll find complete coverage of Director 8, from advanced issues such as Lingo scripting and multi-user applications to the hot new features of the latest release. New feature coverage includes more efficient sprite editing with the context-sensitive Property Inspector, increased control of cast members (sorting by name, date, type, size) through the Cast Manager, vector drawing tools that add illustration capability, and special imaging effects and Transition Behaviors to add pizzazz and drama to applications.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
When a program reaches version 8, and a book its fifth edition, somebody is doing something right. In the case of Special Edition: Using Macromedia Director 8, both Macromedia and Gary Rosenzweig are doing the right things by improving the popular multimedia creation tool, and the means to learn how to use it.
Director 8 has numerous new features, which build on its already vast feature list. While Macromedia's manuals are good, a book like this really helps get a beginning or intermediate user up to speed, and introduces new features to experienced users. A short summary lists the new features in the introduction, but they are highlighted also throughout the course of the book via "New To..." sidebars.
Whether you are new or old to Director, Special Edition: Using Macromedia Director 8 is a concise and complete reference. Broken down into 11 main sections--starting with "Director Basics" through "Basic Lingo," "Authoring in Director," "Using Director to Create Professional Applications," and on to "Advanced Topics," which includes creating Java applets--this massive volume is well documented and illustrated. Filled with sidebar tips, code snippets, and screen shots, it explains virtually every Director 8 feature in detail.
As a bonus, the CD-ROM includes two complete and complex unprotected Director projects that are just waiting to be examined, poked, prodded, and otherwise reverse-engineered. Of course, the CD-ROM also contains a vast array of other goodies, like a trial version of Director 8, a sprite library for creating animation, and most of the files and projects that are used throughout the book.
If you never have used Director before, this might not be the right book for you. Although it does start with some basic features, it goes through them quickly. But, if you have some experience in it or you're looking to get up to speed, this handsome reference is money and time well spent. --Mike Caputo
From the Author
I did several things to update this book from Special Edition Using Director 7. First, I added sections on the new features of Director 8: things like image Lingo, sound Lingo, Publishing, Property Inspector, Cast list view, zoomable Stage, scalable Shockwave, and Guides. In addition to new sections, I had to update much of the book to use the latest Director interface elements and Lingo code. I also tried to improve every other section of the book, clarifying procedures and adding more tips, techniques and examples. Also new is a whole chapter on the multiuser server and a much improved Lingo reference. Check out http://clevermedia.com/resources/bookstore/book5.html for more information.
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More About the Author
Gary Rosenzweig is a programmer, Web site developer, Internet entrepreneur, podcaster and computer book writer. He is the host and publisher of the MacMost video podcast and Web site. He has also programmed more than 200 Web-based and iPhone games. He has written many books on Flash and Shockwave game development.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Que's Macromedia Director 8: A better "reference" book,
By "sixpack69" (Kansas City, KS USA) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Special Edition: Using Macromedia Director 8 (with CD-ROM) (Paperback)
This was one of the last books I picked up, based on the cover. Being a graphic designer, I naturally went for the book with the most attractive cover first (Director Demystified). After reading through it, I gradually made my way to Que's book. The content (if not the look - lose the black) stands above the others.Each section contains a balance between applying what was learned in the last section and being isolated enough to look up for later reference. This is a definite plus while learning Director, and also later on when you have to refresh your memory on certain facets you've forgotten. There are weaknesses in the material that make it a better reference book than a book to learn by. The programs in each section are occasionally helpful, but it's easy to get lost in the code. They should probably consider explaining more what each line of code does, and make the examples shorter - one section introduced sliders and then proceeded to give you a very long program to look at without picking its pieces apart. Learning is accomplished in steps - programs should start out small and get larger, not start out huge and end. The CD-ROM, while containing the programs in each chapter, are a bit tough to track down. And once you find the programs, they are not well commented. I began to think that the CD was just "whipped up" instead of complimenting the material. All in all, it's the best book I've found on Director 8. It definitely has weaknesses, but to learn from and especially reference, nothing has beaten its content.
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
not for beginners,
By Joseph P. Coleman "phantom42" (altamonte springs, fl United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Special Edition: Using Macromedia Director 8 (with CD-ROM) (Paperback)
this book is a decent book.. assuming you're an advanced user. gary is a great programmer - and can do some great things - but he doesn't explain them very well here. much of the code is "magic black box code" - where he simply gives you the code and offers little to no explanation. our school currently provides students with copies of this book. they often read through it, and enter the code and make decent looking toys/games - but have no understanding as to how or why it works. the best (or possibly worst) example of this is the 3d cube in chapter 18 - a rotating 3d cube which requires 3d matrix and transform math. the book does not explain any of the math - nor does it explain what the code is doing at any point - all it DOES say about it is how to control the cubes movement once it is completed and the program is running. that said, the book IS a great REFERENCE - once you've gotten a solid handle on director and lingo - but this book is NOT for those who wish to learn director/lingo from the ground up.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
TREMENDOUS RESOURCE FOR LEARNING DIRECTOR,
By "heath_nc" (NC) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Special Edition: Using Macromedia Director 8 (with CD-ROM) (Paperback)
I bought this book about three months ago because I needed to learn Director and Lingo for a business project. At the time, I bought several similar texts on the topics, but this one is the only real standout. I have put this text to work, cover to cover, and used it over and over to resolve difficult project issues. It is my reference of choice. This book is a high quality learning tool and I highly recommend to anyone working with Director and Lingo.
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