Macromedia Flash MX Creative Web Animation and Interactivity (Paperback)

by Derek Franklin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
Flash MX can be an intimidating program for the beginner. Multiple windows, an array of tool palettes, and remarkable depth make it a rich and powerful tool, but with a steep learning curve. Derek Franklin, however, in this updated version of his popular Flash MX Creative Web Animation and Interactivity, has managed to make Flash not only accessible, but relatively painless to learn.

Written for the serious developer new to Flash, this 900-page volume serves as both an introductory course and a handy reference volume for going much deeper. Parts 1 and 2 focus on learning the language of Flash: the interface, menus, and working paradigm. Part 3 begins the production process and mastering of all the features that Flash has to offer. Going beyond Flash's graphic capabilities, Franklin has allocated 200 pages to ActionScript, the internal language of Flash that opens up all the bells and whistles to the developer.

For users with some Flash experience who have yet to dive into Flash MX's new features, there are Flash MX "alerts" scattered throughout. Some are no larger than small sidebars, while others span pages. There are six sections containing a total of 21 chapters, but perhaps the book's best feature is the set of video tutorials on the CD-ROM. The full-screen tutorials, complete with full color and sound, illustrate many of the concepts in the book; following these is akin to sitting in a classroom listening to a real instructor.

It's important to note that this book covers Flash animation but isn't written specifically for animators. There is no information here on lip synch, talking characters, or cartoon methods, but the book does cover Flash MX features and development of complex interface design using Flash. The Web animator looking to make cartoons and squeeze the most from the medium might not find what he or she needs, but the developer looking for a solid, well-rounded book on Flash MX will find it here. --Mike Caputo

Product Description
Best-selling author Derek Franklin is back, with his fully updated and expanded Macromedia Flash MX Creative Web Animation and Interactivity, one of the best-selling guides to Macromedia Flash on the market. This book will provide you with the skills and inspiration you need to make creative use of Macromedia Flash MX to produce your own visual and interactive masterpieces. Whether you're a beginning Flash user or an advanced-intermediate user, Macromedia Flash MX Creative Web Animation and Interactivity provides you with a thorough reference to Flash MX's features, as well as step-by-step video, text-based tutorials, and hands-on exercises that will teach you to use Flash in the real world. Within its pages, you'll find everything you need to master Macromedia Flash MX, from basic drawing to complex interactivity.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 952 pages
• Publisher: Macromedia Press (October 19, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0321117859
• ISBN-13: 978-0321117854
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.1 x 1.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #996,408 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A competent book for learning, October 23, 2003

By	Phil Lee (Minneapolis, Minn, Silicon Tundra, USA) - See all my reviews

Has sufficent depth in important new areas; such as actionscript, components, video and jpg pixs. The actionscript section has four chapters and 240 ppgs, about one quarter of the book. There are two comprehensive projects at the end of the book where you can integrate all that you have learned, at a beginner and intermediate level (actionscript). The final chapter covers 70 pages.

The CD has QuickTime5 videos for visually describing subjects using Flash MX. These videos are large near full-screen sized and are competently produced. The videos cover the subject, but don't repeat what is in the text. The CD also contains a 30day eval version, along with QT5 Player, eval Sorenson Squeeze for videos, and Flash Shockwave 6 MX Player plug-in.

The subjects are illustrated well with diagrams and illustrations. There are 16 pgs of color plates at the back. This book provides a very good value; I read it at the local library. Minor errata is at the author's website and you can email him at derek at derekfranklin dot com. Three appendices are wisely on the CD; keyboard shortcuts, resources, and third-party SW.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Book For Beginners, March 18, 2003

By	"j_lons" (NY United States) - See all my reviews

This book is a good book for those of you who are just starting out with Flash or Upgrading to Flash MX. It is a good starter and dives a little bit into ActionScript. Goes good with ActionScript by Derek Franklin.

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for non-programmers, March 11, 2003

By	"bencallahan" (Vandalia, OH United States) - See all my reviews

If you want to learn Flash MX without a large emphasis on ActionScript, this would be an ok selection. If you are looking for information on creating animations with ActionScript instead of tweening, then don't get this book. It's well written, but fairly basic.