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Inside Flash MX, 2nd Edition
- By Jody Keating
- Published Jun 11, 2002 by New Riders.
Book
- This product currently is not for sale.
Description
- Copyright 2002
- Dimensions: 7-3/8" x 9-1/8"
- Pages: 912
- Edition: 2nd
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-7357-1254-9
- ISBN-13: 978-0-7357-1254-6
This is a unique book. A unique approach. To a unique technology. Flash MX combines the power of design and object-oriented programming to help take the concept of web application development to a whole new level. This book has been completely revised and rewritten to leverage the power of Flash MX.
Inside Flash MX is a world of information, ranging from foundation knowledge, to creative techniques, to an exhaustive exploration of ActionScripting and Flash programming.
- Take a look at the changes in the Flash workflow and the new interface
- Use the new Named Anchors and shared objects to create bookmarks in Flash
- Set up your Flash movie to print specific frames or even hidden content
- Use the new Drawing API to programmatically create objects on the stage
- Use the laws of physics and ActionScript to create natural-looking movement and 3D effects in your animations
The companion CD contains:
- The source files you need to complete the exercises in each chapter
- Trial software you can use with Flash to speed up your development process
- An extensive list of web links to useful sites
Sample Content
Online Sample Chapter
Table of Contents
1. Changes in the Flash Workflow.
Changes in the Timeline. The Drawing Toolbar and the Properties Inspector. Changes in the Panels. Changes to the Color Mixer. Changes in the Actions Panel. A Brief Overview of Components. The Distribute to Layers Option. Summary.
2. Finding Your Way with the Movie Explorer.
The Movie Explorer Interface. Searching for Elements. Using the Movie Explorer Options to Edit Your Flash Files. Replacing Fonts. Summary.
3. Tips for Using the Library and Shared Libraries.
Using the Use Counts. Creating New Symbols, Using Folders, and Resolving Name Conflicts. Updating Library Items. Using Linkage and Shared Libraries. Creating and Using Font Symbols. Avoiding Shared Library Headaches. Creating Custom Permanent Libraries. Summary.
4. Importing, Using, and Optimizing Graphics.
o Optimizing Bitmaps for Use in Flash. Converting Bitmaps to Vector Graphics. Importing Vector Graphics. Importing Files Created in Other Programs. Combining Bitmaps and Vector Art. Creating a Size Report. Summary.
5. Using Sound in Flash.
Sound Basics. Importing and Adding Sound to Your Movie. Streaming versus Event Sounds. Layering Sounds in Flash. Synchronizing Layered Sounds. Editing Sound in Flash. Adding Custom Effects. Sound Compression. Synchronizing Simple Animation and Sound. Turn Down That Noise. Preloading Your Sound and Animation. Summary.
6. Introduction to ActionScripting.
Basic Programming. Addressing Objects Directly. Other Keys to Programming. Summary.
7. Working with Named Anchors.
Adding Named Anchors to Your Movie. What's Happening Behind the Scenes? What Do You Do About Nonlinear Access to Movies? What About Browser Compatibility? Summary.
8. Printing in Flash.
What Happens If You Ignore the Printing Issue. How Printing in Flash Works. Disabling Printing in the Flash Player Context Menu. Using ActionScript to Control Printing. Printing Hidden Content. Summary.
9. Working with Text Effects.
Simple Text Changes. Alpha Transparency and Brightness. Tweening Text on Paths. Text and Masking. Using Third-Party Text Tools. Building Your Own Effects. Summary.
10. Masking Effects.
A Quick Overview of Masking. A Simple Spotlight Mask. Softening the Mask for Simple Shapes. Softening the Mask for Complex Shapes. ActionScript and Masking. Summary.
11. Animation Techniques.
Building the Story. Storyboarding Your Action. Character Animation Basics. Adding Life to Your Character. Animating Your Backgrounds. Summary.
12. Making the Transition.
Simple Transitions. Combination Transitions. Spatial Transitions. Summary.
13. Flash and Video.
Video Compression Basics. Importing Basics. Linking Imported Videos to External Files. Embedding Videos Directly in Flash. Embedding and Manipulating Videos in Movie Clips. Using loadMovie() with Flash Videos. Using Sorenson Squeeze for Flash MX to Process Video. Summary.
14. Creating 3D Effects in Flash.
Using Gradient Fills to Simulate 3D. Using Third-Party 3D Software. Using Scaling and Paths for 3D Motion. Cinematography and Perspective in Flash. Summary.
15. Introduction to Object-Oriented Programming.
Programming Fundamentals. Creating and Using Objects. Creating Custom Prototype Objects. Designing Objects for Flash. Events. Debugging. Summary.
16. Inside the Drawing API.
The Drawing API's Methods. Drawing a Simple Square. Drawing Curves with the Drawing API. Drawing Circles with the Drawing API. Creating Fills Using the Drawing API. Using the Drawing API in the Real World. Summary.
17. Interface Techniques.
Basic Drag-and-Drop Interactivity. Drag-and-Drop with a Drop Target. Creating Custom Cursors. Creating a Slide Control. Creating Scrolling Text. Creating Preloaders. Summary.
18. Components.
What Are Components? Using Components. Scripting Components. Modifying the Appearance of a Component. Obtaining Components from Other Sources. Building Your Own Component. Summary.
19. Emulating the Natural World: A Poet's Introduction to Physics.
Programming Simple Movement. Throwing Objects Around the Stage. Elastic Movement. Detecting Collisions. Summary.
20. Server-Side Communication.
Middleware and the Application Server. Macromedia ColdFusion. Server-Side Data Models. Connecting Flash with the Server. Building a ColdFusion/Flash MX Application Using loadVars(). XML. Summary.
21. Flash Remoting.
The Flash Remoting Service. Connecting Gateways in Flash MX. Summary.
22. Communicating with the Host Application.
Using Flash Actions to Communicate with the Host Application. JavaScript Methods for Flash Objects. Macromedia Dreamweaver JavaScript Integration Kit. Summary.
Appendix A. ActionScript Objects Quick Reference.
Objects. Terms. Accessibility Object. Arguments Object. Array Object. Boolean. Button. Capabilities. Color Object. CustomActions Object. Date Object. Function Object. Key Object. LoadVars Object. Math Object. Mouse Object. MovieClip Object. Number Object. Object Object. Selection Object. System Object. Sound Object. Stage Object. String Object. TextField Object. TextFormat Object. XML Object. XMLSocket Object.
Appendix B. ActionScript Quick Reference.
Actions. Variables. Printing. Operators. Functions. Constants. Properties. UI Components. FRadioButtonGroup.
Appendix C. Keyboard Shortcut Quick Reference.
Macromedia Standard Keyboard Shortcuts. Macromedia Flash 5 Keyboard Shortcuts. Fireworks 44 Keyboard Shortcuts. FreeHand 10 Keyboard Shortcuts. Illustrator 10 Keyboard Shortcuts. Photoshop 6 Keyboard Shortcuts.
Appendix D. Flash Resources.
Flash Mailing Lists. Web Sites. Text Tools. 3D Tools. Cartoon Animation. Video Tools. Tools to Create Screen Savers. Other Tools. Royalty-Free Sound Resources. Font Resources. 3D Modeling Resources.
Appendix E. What's on the CD-Rom.
System Requirements. Loading the CD Files. Exercise Files. Third-Party Programs. Read This Before Opening the Software.
Index.