<< 1 >>
Rating: 
Summary: TREMENDOUS RESOURCE FOR LEARNING DIRECTOR
Review: I bought this book about three months ago because I needed to learn Director and Lingo for a business project. At the time, I bought several similar texts on the topics, but this one is the only real standout. I have put this text to work, cover to cover, and used it over and over to resolve difficult project issues. It is my reference of choice. This book is a high quality learning tool and I highly recommend to anyone working with Director and Lingo.
Rating: 
Summary: Has Multiuser examples but no 3D
Review: I read some of the director books and found no book that covered all. This book covers multiuser server what was the most important part to me. Its the only book that has some information about it. The examples worked fine - all was even a bit easier than the author explained. like i neednt to have 2 machines to test my application. The book doesnt cover 3D and no QTVR. I think its well writen and not too much talk about "What is a variable" even if u r a programmer like i am.
Rating: 
Summary: Hard to find exactly what you need
Review: I started reading this book right after "Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia Flash 5 in 24 Hours," and what a disappointment it was. I expected tutorials and step-by-step illustrations. Instead, I got vague hints as to what Director can do (minus examples and pictures). Looking for how to do those things was a daunting task. This book is badly organized. In fact, the author says that information on how to publish your Director file can be found in Chapter 2, Chapter 9...etc. Things are not exactly in one place. I'll go back to using this book when I'm more experienced with Director, but until then, it makes a great flower press.
Rating:
Summary: In-depth explanation of complex features of Director & Lingo
Review: Special Edition Using Macromedia Director 8 is a comprehensive guide to creating and publishing Director movies. This book provides in-depth explanation of the complex features of Director and Lingo, as well as power tips and techniques to maximize the features and tools. In this thoroughly "user friendly", highly recommended, how-to instruction book will be found complete coverage of Director 8, from advanced issues such as Lingo scripting and multi-user applications to the hot new features of the latest release. 1000 pages, Intermediate - Advanced
Rating:
Summary: Just the best
Review: There is all you need. The Lingo Reference is perfect...
Rating: 
Summary: not for beginners
Review: this book is a decent book.. assuming you're an advanced user. gary is a great programmer - and can do some great things - but he doesn't explain them very well here. much of the code is "magic black box code" - where he simply gives you the code and offers little to no explanation. our school currently provides students with copies of this book. they often read through it, and enter the code and make decent looking toys/games - but have no understanding as to how or why it works. the best (or possibly worst) example of this is the 3d cube in chapter 18 - a rotating 3d cube which requires 3d matrix and transform math. the book does not explain any of the math - nor does it explain what the code is doing at any point - all it DOES say about it is how to control the cubes movement once it is completed and the program is running. that said, the book IS a great REFERENCE - once you've gotten a solid handle on director and lingo - but this book is NOT for those who wish to learn director/lingo from the ground up.
Rating:
Summary: not for beginners
Review: this book is a decent book.. assuming you're an advanced user. gary is a great programmer - and can do some great things - but he doesn't explain them very well here. much of the code is "magic black box code" - where he simply gives you the code and offers little to no explanation. our school currently provides students with copies of this book. they often read through it, and enter the code and make decent looking toys/games - but have no understanding as to how or why it works. the best (or possibly worst) example of this is the 3d cube in chapter 18 - a rotating 3d cube which requires 3d matrix and transform math. the book does not explain any of the math - nor does it explain what the code is doing at any point - all it DOES say about it is how to control the cubes movement once it is completed and the program is running. that said, the book IS a great REFERENCE - once you've gotten a solid handle on director and lingo - but this book is NOT for those who wish to learn director/lingo from the ground up.
Rating:
Summary: zzzzzzzz....
Review: This book is very very very usefull... as a paperweight. Don't get me wrong, some content was very helpful but this book is definetly not for beginners. its too lengthy and I wished it showed more step by step examples!
Rating:
Summary: Que's Macromedia Director 8: A better "reference" book
Review: This was one of the last books I picked up, based on the cover. Being a graphic designer, I naturally went for the book with the most attractive cover first (Director Demystified). After reading through it, I gradually made my way to Que's book. The content (if not the look - lose the black) stands above the others. Each section contains a balance between applying what was learned in the last section and being isolated enough to look up for later reference. This is a definite plus while learning Director, and also later on when you have to refresh your memory on certain facets you've forgotten. There are weaknesses in the material that make it a better reference book than a book to learn by. The programs in each section are occasionally helpful, but it's easy to get lost in the code. They should probably consider explaining more what each line of code does, and make the examples shorter - one section introduced sliders and then proceeded to give you a very long program to look at without picking its pieces apart. Learning is accomplished in steps - programs should start out small and get larger, not start out huge and end. The CD-ROM, while containing the programs in each chapter, are a bit tough to track down. And once you find the programs, they are not well commented. I began to think that the CD was just "whipped up" instead of complimenting the material. All in all, it's the best book I've found on Director 8. It definitely has weaknesses, but to learn from and especially reference, nothing has beaten its content.
Rating:
Summary: Hard to find exactly what you need
Review: Want to know how to stop a movie from looping? Not here. How about getting transitions to run smoothly? Nah. If you haven't a clue what Director is about - walk away; this book will not help you. It assumes much too much of the reader. On the other hand, once you have some idea of the Director paradigm and have made a movie or two, then I would add this to your bookshelf.
<< 1 >>
| 
