Flash 5 for Windows & Macintosh, Third Edition (Visual QuickStart Guide) (Paperback)

by Katherine Ulrich (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
I am fonder of Macromedia Flash than just about any tool, and I feel much the same way about Peachpit's Visual QuickStart Guides; so, the idea of a Visual QuickStart Guide about Flash 5 makes me weak in the knees.

Well, maybe that's overstating it; but, in truth, Flash 5 for Windows & Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide combines a successful book style with a talented and experienced writer to deliver a nearly painless learning experience.

Over the course of 16 chapters, we have started at ground zero--understanding Flash basics, using the Flash editor, getting around the interface--and quickly worked our way up through simple graphics, complex graphics on one layer, complex graphics on multiple layers, using object libraries, and on through using different kinds of animation (motion tweening vs. shape tweening) and the animation of whole scenes.

Both this book and Flash 5 really start to shine in chapters 12 and up, when we begin learning how to use Flash 5 to create interactive actions. Adding sound is a big part of that, and this topic gets its own chapter (chapter 14, "Adding Sound to Movies"). Finally, chapter 16 is all about delivery and covers subjects like optimizing the Flash movie, creating the necessary HTML code, and exporting a Flash movie to other formats.

Flash 5 for Windows & Macintosh: Visual QuickStart Guide is a vital learning tool for anyone who wants to create content using by Flash 5. Honestly, no other title can get you up the learning curve more quickly. --Mike Caputo

Review
The author handles the technical aspects of teaching the program with consummate skill. Read it sequentially to learn each technique then dip into it when you need help."Computer Arts - Flash Special, Issue 18

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 523 pages
• Publisher: Peachpit Press; 1st edition (October 19, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201716143
• ISBN-13: 978-0201716146
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #917,334 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #43 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Apple > Web Publishing
  #88 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Apple > Graphics, Animation & Illustration

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars The first Flash 5 book, November 2, 2000

By	chris "claizik" (Brooklyn, NY United States) - See all my reviews

This is a decent book with concise, straight forward explanations of the features of Flash 5. It isn't, however, very comprehensive or detailed.

Question? Should I buy this book because it is first or should I wait for other books? . . . I believe the answer to this question depends upon your experience with Flash.

If you just bought the program and want to start learning, you will probably be better off with a more comprehensive tutorial book (there were several for version 4 which I'm sure will be out shortly for version 5). The Quickstart Guide does have tutorials but they are very short and don't include source files (no CD--no download site).

For the upgrade users. If you are an expert at version 4 there's very little in this book that you won't be able to figure out for yourself. For the intermediate users who have just upgraded this may be an excellent choice as it zooms through the program in record time!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a very good introduction to flash, November 7, 2000

By	Greg Munger (chesterton, in USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this book because it was one of the few available for Flash 5. After working with it for several days I find it one of the best introductory books I have come across for any topic. Flash is a quirky and complicated program, and there are times I would have liked more explanations. But I am so happy that the useful information in this book is not buried in pages of useless examples. This is not a book of samples, ready for you to copy. Nor does it cover advanced scripting topics very well - these could easily double the size of the book. This book is a concise handbook, and an excellent introduction for those that do not require a great deal of hand holding.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great tour of Flash and drawing tools, November 21, 2000

By	Water Monkey "Marc B." (Santa Clarita, Ca.) - See all my reviews

When I got this book I didn't expect much from it. I bought it so that members of my team who were not experienced with Flash could understand quickly how the program worked. Once we received the book I looked it over and was impressed with what I saw.

As the name implies this book teaches visually. Pages are divided in half. One column for an explanation in text, and one column with a visual example or illustration. Also, as the name implies this is a Quickstart guide. You will not become an expert Flash user from just this book. It is not designed for that. You will however, have a basic understanding of the program after reading and using this book.

One thing this book lacks are lessons. If you are a person who learns best from having mock scenarios to complete, this book is probably not for you.

Another thing this book lacks is Flash concept. Once you know how to use Flash, you need to know the concepts of designing a Flash site. You won't find much of that in here.

I must say I was impressed with the amount of space the author gives to the Flash drawing tools. She spells the first half of th book describing what many authors describe in a couple of chapters. Most authors assume you know how to use graphic tools, this author guides you nicely through them. Its not until chapter 8 before she begins talking about animation and tweening.

For the Flash newbie, grab this book. You will use it as an instructional guide and a nice reference tool. Other Flash users may want this book just as a quich reference guide.