Special Edition Using Macromedia Flash 5
Published on 25. May 2001
Book
Mixed media product
800 pages
978-0-7897-2444-1 (ISBN)
Description
Special Edition Using Macromedia Flash 5 provides the in-depth answers to your Flash questions. This book explains how to maximize the potential of Flash for creating more advanced animation and interactivity on Web sites, as well as building user interfaces and full-screen Web pages. Real-world tips and tricks will make the book applicable to everyday tasks, and changes to Flash 5 will be highlighted for easy notice. Your singular resource whether you're designing for fun or for profit!
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 188 mm
Thickness: 34 mm
Weight
1052 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7897-2444-1 (9780789724441)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Darrel Plant is the publisher and owner of Moshofsky/Plant Creative Services, a multi-media development company in Portland, Oregon. This is his fourth book covering Macromedia products.
Darrel is the Technical Editor of Director Online, a free site for information on Director, Flash, and other Macromedia products (http://www.director-online.com).
Darrel lives in inner Portland with his wife, Barbara Moshofsky, and a cat named Jackie Chan. He's a voracious reader and has a bad habit of wasting time writing letters to the editors of various publications. Web site: http://www.moshplant.com/ E-mail: flash5@moshplant.com
Robert B. Cleveland spent seven years writing for publications in the automotive industry before trading in his pen and leveraging an IT background to begin developing on the Web. Since then, his work with ICON Technology Group and ICON Multimedia Group has required almost a schizophrenic development process in both graphic design and programming. The results have been cutting-edge Web-based solutions that integrate visual technologies such as Flash and Shockwave with powerful back-end data and programmed utilities.
ICON Technology Group and ICON Multimedia Group develop a full spectrum of innovative solutions for corporate customers?from media development online and offline to large, ASP-style software solutions operating over the Web. Visit them online at http://www.iconideas.com and http://www.robcleveland.com or e-mail Rob at rob.cleveland@iconideas.com.
Darrel is the Technical Editor of Director Online, a free site for information on Director, Flash, and other Macromedia products (http://www.director-online.com).
Darrel lives in inner Portland with his wife, Barbara Moshofsky, and a cat named Jackie Chan. He's a voracious reader and has a bad habit of wasting time writing letters to the editors of various publications. Web site: http://www.moshplant.com/ E-mail: flash5@moshplant.com
Robert B. Cleveland spent seven years writing for publications in the automotive industry before trading in his pen and leveraging an IT background to begin developing on the Web. Since then, his work with ICON Technology Group and ICON Multimedia Group has required almost a schizophrenic development process in both graphic design and programming. The results have been cutting-edge Web-based solutions that integrate visual technologies such as Flash and Shockwave with powerful back-end data and programmed utilities.
ICON Technology Group and ICON Multimedia Group develop a full spectrum of innovative solutions for corporate customers?from media development online and offline to large, ASP-style software solutions operating over the Web. Visit them online at http://www.iconideas.com and http://www.robcleveland.com or e-mail Rob at rob.cleveland@iconideas.com.
Content
Introduction.
I. THE FLASH TOOL.
1. Getting Accustomed to the Flash Environment.
Manipulating the Authoring Environment Organizing the Flash Workspace. Considering Compilation and Output. Troubleshooting the Flash Environment. Did You Know?
2. Creating Artwork and Text with Flash.
Freeform Drawing. Drafting with the Graphics Tools. Creating Paths with the Pen Tool. Setting and Manipulating Text. Troubleshooting Your Artwork and Text. Did You Know?
3. Manipulating Artwork with Flash.
Selecting Artwork. Adjusting Elements. Mastering Flash Curves. Working with Cubic Paths in a Quadratic World. Erasing Fills and Contours. Troubleshooting Artwork. Did You Know?
4. Modifying Shape Attributes.
Exploring the Mixer Panel. Using the Swatches Library. Applying Fills with the Paint Bucket. Working with Gradients. Setting Strokes with the Ink Bottle. Transferring Attributes with the Dropper Tool. Troubleshooting Shape Attributes. Did You Know?
5. Creating Symbols.
Applying Three Types of Symbols. Creating Symbols. Using Libraries. Modifying the Instance Properties of a Placed Symbol. Troubleshooting Symbols. Did You Know?
II. FLASH METHODOLOGY.
6. Wrestling with the Drawing Canvas.
Understanding the Behavior of Elemental Shapes. Using Shapes As Tools. Working Inside the Group Canvas. Troubleshooting the Drawing Canvas. Did You Know?
7. Assembling the Components of an Illustration.
Working with Layers. Working with Scenes. Applying Transformations. Working with the Clipboard. Troubleshooting Illustrations. Did You Know?
8. Working with Vector Art.
Importing Vector Art into Flash. Cross-Development with Adobe Illustrator. Importing 3D Illustrations Efficiently into Flash Using Swift 3D. Optimizing Your Vector Work. Troubleshooting Vector Art. Did You Know?
9. Using Bitmaps in a World of Vectors.
Understanding Bitmap Formats. Importing and Compressing Bitmaps with Flash. Using Bitmaps As Elemental Shapes and Vectors. Using Bitmaps As Symbols. Importing an Animated GIF. Troubleshooting Bitmaps. Did You Know?
III. ANIMATING WITH FLASH.
10. Animating Frame by Frame.
Understanding the Timeline. The Basics of Animation. Previewing the Animation. Frame-by-Frame Animation. Working with Frame Rates. A Quick Look at Tweening. General Problems with Layouts. Troubleshooting Animation. Did You Know?
11. Animating with Interpolated Motion.
Applying a Motion Tween. Creating a Shape Metamorphosis. Creating a Motion Guide Tween. Orchestrating a Complex Animated Sequence. Troubleshooting Interpolated Motion. Did You Know?
12. Using Advanced Animation Techniques.
Using Animations to Animate. Optimizing an Animated Sequence. Segmenting Sequences with Scenes. Creating Shadow Effects. Producing Gravity Effects. Using Swish for Text Effects. Troubleshooting Advanced Animation. Did You Know?
13. Sound: The Fifth Dimension.
Understanding Sound Formats. Using Different Sound Sources. Importing Sounds into Flash. Synchronizing Sound to Animation. Using Flash Audio in Director and QuickTime. Troubleshooting Sound. Did You Know?
IV. USING BASIC ACTIONSCRIPT.
14. Learning ActionScript.
What Is ActionScript? Where ActionScripts Go. Using ActionScripts. Writing ActionScripts. Troubleshooting ActionScript. Did You Know?
15. ActionScript Syntax.
Using Numeric Variables. Using String Variables. Using Boolean Variables. Comparing Expressions. Using Functions. Using the if Statement. Using Loops. Using Navigation Commands. Troubleshooting ActionScript Syntax. Did You Know?
V. USING OBJECTS.
16. Objects.
Understanding How an Object Works. Types of Objects. Methods and Properties. Creating and Deleting Objects. Creating and Working with Array Objects. Manipulating Movie Clip Objects. Troubleshooting Objects. Did You Know?
17. Scripting Interface Elements.
Creating Scripting Buttons. Introducing Dynamic Text. Dragging Movie Clips. Creating Check Boxes. Creating Radio Buttons. Creating Progress Bars. Using Slider Controls. Using Pop-Up Menus. Troubleshooting Interface Elements. Did You Know?
VI. CONTROLLING MOVIES WITH ACTIONSCRIPT.
18. Controlling Text.
Creating Dynamic and Input Text Fields. Using String Variables. Troubleshooting Text. Did You Know?
19. Controlling Sound with ActionScript.
Linking Sounds. Attaching Sounds to a Sound Object. Starting and Stopping Sounds. Controlling Volume. Controlling Pan. Using Sound Transforms. Troubleshooting Sound. Did You Know?
20. Smart Clips.
When to Use Smart Clips. Making a Smart Clip. Using Smart Clips. Creating Custom Smart Clip Interfaces. Troubleshooting Smart Clips. Did You Know?
VII. USING ADVANCED ACTIONSCRIPT.
21. Controlling the Player.
Creating a Custom Cursor. Using Timers. Using the System Date and Time. Controlling the Standalone Player. Troubleshooting the Player. Did You Know?
22. Network Operations.
Embedding Data in the Movie URL. Loading Variables from a Web Server. Sending Data to a Web Server. Troubleshooting Network Operations. Did You Know?
23. Custom Objects.
Why Objects Are Good. Creating an ActionScript Object. Using a Custom Object. Using Object Inheritance. Troubleshooting Custom Objects. Did You Know?
24. External Assets.
Including External Scripts. Using Shared Libraries. Creating and Sharing Font Symbols. Loading Movies. Troubleshooting External Assets. Did You Know?
25. Debugging.
Avoiding Mistakes. Tracking Variables with Dynamic Text. Listing Variables and Objects. Using trace to Create a History of Events. Using the Debugger Window. Troubleshooting Debugging. Did You Know?
26. Printing.
How to Print a Flash Movie. Specifying Print Frames. Specifying Print Areas. Printing Movie Clips. Troubleshooting Printing. Did You Know?
VIII. CONTROLLING THE ENVIRONMENT.
27. Browser Scripting.
Conversing with the Browser Environment. Understanding the FSCommand System. Troubleshooting Browser Scripting. Did You Know?
28. Integrating Flash and Director.
Why Use Flash Movies in Director?. Importing Flash Movies into Director. Setting Flash Cast Member Properties. Placing Flash Sprites in the Score. Controlling the Frames of a Flash Sprite. Controlling the Size and Rotation of Sprites. Troubleshooting Flash Movies in Director. Did You Know?
29. Communication Between Flash and Director.
Flash-to-Director Communication. Using Flash/Director Communication. Troubleshooting Communications Between Flash and Director. Did You Know?
30. Using Macromedia Generator.
Using Generator Templates. Using a Generator Object. Troubleshooting Generator. Did You Know?
Appendix A. What's on the CD.
Special Edition Using Macromedia Flash 5 File Structure. Third-Party Software.
Index.
I. THE FLASH TOOL.
1. Getting Accustomed to the Flash Environment.
Manipulating the Authoring Environment Organizing the Flash Workspace. Considering Compilation and Output. Troubleshooting the Flash Environment. Did You Know?
2. Creating Artwork and Text with Flash.
Freeform Drawing. Drafting with the Graphics Tools. Creating Paths with the Pen Tool. Setting and Manipulating Text. Troubleshooting Your Artwork and Text. Did You Know?
3. Manipulating Artwork with Flash.
Selecting Artwork. Adjusting Elements. Mastering Flash Curves. Working with Cubic Paths in a Quadratic World. Erasing Fills and Contours. Troubleshooting Artwork. Did You Know?
4. Modifying Shape Attributes.
Exploring the Mixer Panel. Using the Swatches Library. Applying Fills with the Paint Bucket. Working with Gradients. Setting Strokes with the Ink Bottle. Transferring Attributes with the Dropper Tool. Troubleshooting Shape Attributes. Did You Know?
5. Creating Symbols.
Applying Three Types of Symbols. Creating Symbols. Using Libraries. Modifying the Instance Properties of a Placed Symbol. Troubleshooting Symbols. Did You Know?
II. FLASH METHODOLOGY.
6. Wrestling with the Drawing Canvas.
Understanding the Behavior of Elemental Shapes. Using Shapes As Tools. Working Inside the Group Canvas. Troubleshooting the Drawing Canvas. Did You Know?
7. Assembling the Components of an Illustration.
Working with Layers. Working with Scenes. Applying Transformations. Working with the Clipboard. Troubleshooting Illustrations. Did You Know?
8. Working with Vector Art.
Importing Vector Art into Flash. Cross-Development with Adobe Illustrator. Importing 3D Illustrations Efficiently into Flash Using Swift 3D. Optimizing Your Vector Work. Troubleshooting Vector Art. Did You Know?
9. Using Bitmaps in a World of Vectors.
Understanding Bitmap Formats. Importing and Compressing Bitmaps with Flash. Using Bitmaps As Elemental Shapes and Vectors. Using Bitmaps As Symbols. Importing an Animated GIF. Troubleshooting Bitmaps. Did You Know?
III. ANIMATING WITH FLASH.
10. Animating Frame by Frame.
Understanding the Timeline. The Basics of Animation. Previewing the Animation. Frame-by-Frame Animation. Working with Frame Rates. A Quick Look at Tweening. General Problems with Layouts. Troubleshooting Animation. Did You Know?
11. Animating with Interpolated Motion.
Applying a Motion Tween. Creating a Shape Metamorphosis. Creating a Motion Guide Tween. Orchestrating a Complex Animated Sequence. Troubleshooting Interpolated Motion. Did You Know?
12. Using Advanced Animation Techniques.
Using Animations to Animate. Optimizing an Animated Sequence. Segmenting Sequences with Scenes. Creating Shadow Effects. Producing Gravity Effects. Using Swish for Text Effects. Troubleshooting Advanced Animation. Did You Know?
13. Sound: The Fifth Dimension.
Understanding Sound Formats. Using Different Sound Sources. Importing Sounds into Flash. Synchronizing Sound to Animation. Using Flash Audio in Director and QuickTime. Troubleshooting Sound. Did You Know?
IV. USING BASIC ACTIONSCRIPT.
14. Learning ActionScript.
What Is ActionScript? Where ActionScripts Go. Using ActionScripts. Writing ActionScripts. Troubleshooting ActionScript. Did You Know?
15. ActionScript Syntax.
Using Numeric Variables. Using String Variables. Using Boolean Variables. Comparing Expressions. Using Functions. Using the if Statement. Using Loops. Using Navigation Commands. Troubleshooting ActionScript Syntax. Did You Know?
V. USING OBJECTS.
16. Objects.
Understanding How an Object Works. Types of Objects. Methods and Properties. Creating and Deleting Objects. Creating and Working with Array Objects. Manipulating Movie Clip Objects. Troubleshooting Objects. Did You Know?
17. Scripting Interface Elements.
Creating Scripting Buttons. Introducing Dynamic Text. Dragging Movie Clips. Creating Check Boxes. Creating Radio Buttons. Creating Progress Bars. Using Slider Controls. Using Pop-Up Menus. Troubleshooting Interface Elements. Did You Know?
VI. CONTROLLING MOVIES WITH ACTIONSCRIPT.
18. Controlling Text.
Creating Dynamic and Input Text Fields. Using String Variables. Troubleshooting Text. Did You Know?
19. Controlling Sound with ActionScript.
Linking Sounds. Attaching Sounds to a Sound Object. Starting and Stopping Sounds. Controlling Volume. Controlling Pan. Using Sound Transforms. Troubleshooting Sound. Did You Know?
20. Smart Clips.
When to Use Smart Clips. Making a Smart Clip. Using Smart Clips. Creating Custom Smart Clip Interfaces. Troubleshooting Smart Clips. Did You Know?
VII. USING ADVANCED ACTIONSCRIPT.
21. Controlling the Player.
Creating a Custom Cursor. Using Timers. Using the System Date and Time. Controlling the Standalone Player. Troubleshooting the Player. Did You Know?
22. Network Operations.
Embedding Data in the Movie URL. Loading Variables from a Web Server. Sending Data to a Web Server. Troubleshooting Network Operations. Did You Know?
23. Custom Objects.
Why Objects Are Good. Creating an ActionScript Object. Using a Custom Object. Using Object Inheritance. Troubleshooting Custom Objects. Did You Know?
24. External Assets.
Including External Scripts. Using Shared Libraries. Creating and Sharing Font Symbols. Loading Movies. Troubleshooting External Assets. Did You Know?
25. Debugging.
Avoiding Mistakes. Tracking Variables with Dynamic Text. Listing Variables and Objects. Using trace to Create a History of Events. Using the Debugger Window. Troubleshooting Debugging. Did You Know?
26. Printing.
How to Print a Flash Movie. Specifying Print Frames. Specifying Print Areas. Printing Movie Clips. Troubleshooting Printing. Did You Know?
VIII. CONTROLLING THE ENVIRONMENT.
27. Browser Scripting.
Conversing with the Browser Environment. Understanding the FSCommand System. Troubleshooting Browser Scripting. Did You Know?
28. Integrating Flash and Director.
Why Use Flash Movies in Director?. Importing Flash Movies into Director. Setting Flash Cast Member Properties. Placing Flash Sprites in the Score. Controlling the Frames of a Flash Sprite. Controlling the Size and Rotation of Sprites. Troubleshooting Flash Movies in Director. Did You Know?
29. Communication Between Flash and Director.
Flash-to-Director Communication. Using Flash/Director Communication. Troubleshooting Communications Between Flash and Director. Did You Know?
30. Using Macromedia Generator.
Using Generator Templates. Using a Generator Object. Troubleshooting Generator. Did You Know?
Appendix A. What's on the CD.
Special Edition Using Macromedia Flash 5 File Structure. Third-Party Software.
Index.