Description:
It's important to note right off that Essential Flash 5 for Web Professionals is strictly for those "Web professionals" who are new to Flash, and that the lessons are tutorial-based: readers must follow along, recreating, step-by-step, two specific projects (the files for which can be downloaded from the publisher's site, http://www.phptr.com/essential/flash5). The book is not good for jumping around or trying to troubleshoot some pressing problem for your own Flash animation (for example, trying to quickly find out how to make an animated rollover button). For those beginners who appreciate a friendly, low-tech boost up Flash's daunting learning curve, the compact-sized Essential Flash 5 is a good choice. The text features a gentle walk-through of two fairly simple projects. The artwork is closer to the homemade look of a local business rather than cutting edge, visually sophisticated sites; however, this same lack of whiz-bang visuals might be more accessible and inviting for those who are easily overwhelmed by new technology. And the author does a good job of explaining the many options available when publishing your movie. One nice feature gets readers quickly off the ground: the opening chapter shows how to recreate a non-Flash site using Flash. Subsequent chapters elaborate, adding rollovers, animations, and even a form. If your boss just expanded your job description to include "Web professional" by dumping the company's Web site in your lap, this book will at least help you save face at the next office roundtable. -Angelynn Grant Topics covered: Tutorial instruction on basic use of Flash 5 to create interactive Web sites. Includes: - Introduction to tools and interface
- Working with layers, text and creating simple graphics
- Working with timelines, frames, and tweening
- Creating symbols and buttons, including simple animated buttons
- Applying actions to buttons
- Adding sound effects
- Working with scenes
- Creating a simple form
- Publishing to the Web, including choosing settings
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