Product Description

Flash is the most ubiquitous technology today for creating and deploying dynamic content on the Web. From button rollovers to video animations, Flash not only brings pizzazz to the Web but also makes difficult concepts easier to understand through illustrations, diagrams, and so on. Now that Flash CS3 Professional is part of the Adobe family, users new to the software as well as veteran users unfamiliar with added Adobe feature need quick access to key features and fundamental techniques. Adobe Flash CS3 Professional: 100 Essential Techniques provides users with what they need to know to start working in Flash. Each technique is presented in a self-contained unit of one or two pages so users can dive in and start working right away, unencumbered by lengthy descriptions or technical detail. For example, if readers want to know how to use Flash’s new QuickTime export feature, they can turn directly to that page, quickly grasp the technique, as well as pick up a few tips along the way.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27726 in Books
• Published on: 2007-10-07
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 264 pages

About the Author
Mark Schaeffer directs the digital media program at Chabot College in Hayward, California, where he teaches courses in Flash, ActionScript, and related topics. Prior to that, he spent 25 years as a writer, designer, and producer of educational and training materials in print, video, and computer-based media. His projects have included interactive demos for Apple and Compaq, web pages for Levi Strauss and Kaiser Permanente, and video animation for educational publishers such as Houghton Mifflin and McGraw-Hill.

Customer Reviews

Worst technique book ever
I've only been in Flash for several months now, gotten through the basics and was hoping to expand my skills. Found this book and thought it would be good. Well I couldn't have been more wrong. One of the essential techniques is saving a file. A full page on adding a keyframe. I can explain that in two letters F6. Seriously this book is page after page of the most mundane basic stuff they could cram into a book. So if you've never been on a computer or seen an Adobe app this might be for you. Otherwise stay away and find a good podcast on itunes.

OK for a first book on Flash
Frankly, I had hoped that a book on "100 Essential Techniques" would be more useful than this. Basically, if you have ANY other book on Flash, then you don't need this one.

Imagine a book on "100 Essential Driving Techniques" that includes separate listings for "Unlocking the car door", "Adjusting the mirror", etc. and you'll get an idea of what this book covers...

A fast way to get started with Flash.
Sometimes, I think we get so wrapped around the axle about ActionScript programming that we forget about what Flash can do as a creative tool. This book is here to remind us. Aimed squarely at the Flash program, the book includes a tour of the interface along with techniques for using the drawing tools, getting started with keyframe animation, using filters and fills, importing artwork from various sources, working with sounds and bitmaps, and working with and exporting video in Flash and Quicktime formats, exporting still images, etc. The book ends with some instruction on using ActionScript, the Script Assist, and debugger. It includes lots of useful techniques designed to get people started right away and to help people get the most out of the program. Well worth the money, but not much here for advanced users.