Xtravaganza: the Essential Sourcebook for Macromedia Xtras [Paperback]

Chuck Henderson (Author), Nancy Davis (Editor)

Book Description

Series: Macromedia Press Series | Publication Date: August 7, 1998

Xtras are plug-in applications (generally referred to as "plug-ins") that allow users to add specialized capabilities and extended functionality to products. Xtravaganza is the complete resource of all the Xtras that are currently available for Macromedia products, including Authorware, Director, FreeHand, SoundEdit 16, Extreme 3D, xRes, Fontographer, and Backstage. Xtravaganza is also the authoritative resource, with the backing and support of the Macromedia Press imprint. Chapters of the book are organized by the Xtra function (such as Transition, Graphic Effects, Video and Sound, etc.). Each chapter begins with its own quick-reference table of contents that graphically shows the Xtras covered in the chapter, the Macromedia products to which they apply, the type of Xtra, and the platforms supported. Each chapter continues with an explanation of the nature and essential vocabulary for the data types and functions covered in the chapter, and then describes what Xtras are available, what they do, how to use them, and how to evaluate and buy them. It also offers in-depth case studies of Xtras in use.This is one resource multimedia developers and authors can't be without!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

This comprehensive guide discusses the many built-in and third-party Xtras, or add-ins, that are available for extending the capabilities of Macromedia's products. After an overview of Xtras, the author teaches you about the types that are used in Director, FreeHand, and Authorware. He also provides an overview of Xtras available for Backstage, Extreme 3D, SoundEdit 16, Fontographer, and xRes. The subsequent chapters list more than 450 Xtras, along with version number, author, description, cost, supported apps and platforms, distributor, and (often extensive) usage guidance. The Xtras are well classified and include those for MIX (Macromedia Information Exchange) and other file-exchange functions, pixel filters, sprites, ActiveX, scripts, network scripts, XObjects, transitions, and authoring tools. There are also sections on command, palette, and Xtra Tools Xtras for FreeHand; server Xtras for Backstage; light and material shader Xtras for Extreme 3D; sound-effect and sound-generator Xtras for SoundEdit 16; movie and cast library Xtras for Director; and Macromedia Common Scripting (MCS) Xtras for FreeHand. An appendix provides an overview of the architecture of Macromedia Studios, the suites that include a variety of Macromedia's products to accomplish digital-media creation and editing tasks. Another appendix provides background information on building an Xtra. The included cross-platform CD-ROM offers demonstration versions of Macromedia products and of more than 100 Xtras. --Kathleen Caster

From Library Journal

Director's built-in "film score" metaphor for managing sounds, graphics, video, and text works well for multimedia construction, but there are some things that are just not included. What hasn't been built into Director is added on by what are called xtras: small utility programs written in a programming language such as C or C++. Henderson's book is an encyclopedia of xtras?for Director and many of Macromedia's other products, such as Authorware, Freehand, Flash, and Extreme 3D?many of which are on the accompanying CD-ROM. Highly recommended for larger libraries.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 1257 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press (August 7, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 020168893X
• ISBN-13: 978-0201688931
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,143,665 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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