Product Description

Enhanced and revised edition of the bestseller! 1000f what you need to know to learn and master the latest version of Macromedia Flash. Includes a CD-ROM packed with files from the book and valuable tryouts.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1050915 in Books
• Published on: 2001-02-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 1300 pages

From the Back Cover
"The only book that covers the enormous breadth of Flash 5 without sacrificing depth." —Colin Moock, Web Evangelist, ICE

"The must-have book for all Flash developers!" —James Baker, Creative Director, the wddg

"The Flash 5 Bible is the book to have." —Todd Purgason, Creative Director, Juxt Interactive

If Flash 5 can do it, you can do it too...
Whether you're a Web-development newbie or a Flash veteran, this acclaimed bestseller shows you step by step how to make the most of Flash 5 — and take any Web site to the next level. Packed with examples and illustrations — including eight pages in full color — as well as expert tutorials from Flash pros, this comprehensive guide delivers everything from a quick-start tutorial to brand-new coverage of ActionScript programming. It's all you need to unleash the power of Flash 5 — and start creating state-of-the-art Web graphics and animations!

Inside, you'll find complete coverage of Flash 5

• Get up to speed fast using the "Flash in a Flash" quick-start tutorial
• Discover the secrets of effective animated graphics, pop-ups, and rollovers
• Make the most of Flash drawing tools and animation controls
• Master useful techniques like tweening and onion skinning
• Harness the power of ActionScript programming for dynamic effects
• Leverage Flash by using it with Fireworks and other software
• Distribute Flash movies on the Web or through players and projectors

MASTER Flash basics and create dynamic interfaces, demos, and animations
TAKE your site to the next level using tutorials by 40 leading Flash experts
HARNESS the power of ActionScript to build advanced effects

Flash add-ons, plug-ins, and more on CD-ROM

• Trial versions of Macromedia Flash and ACID Pro from Sonic Foundry
• Demos of SWiSH and Sound Forge
• Plus time-saving templates and examples from the book

About the Author
Robert Reinhardt has developed multimedia courses for educational facilities in Canada and the United States, delivered conference seminars on Web design, and served as technical editor for several Photoshop and Web books. With a degree in photographic arts, Robert takes a holistic approach to computer applications for the creation of provocative multimedia. Recently, he created installation and digital art for the Warner Bros. feature film Gossip. Now based in Los Angeles, he continues his work through The Makers as a multimedia artist, programmer, and instructor with his partner Snow and his creatively inclined dog, Stella. Jon Warren Lentz is a graduate of the Classical Studies program at UCSC, and a freelance artist and author. He is the lead co-author of a popular Web design book, deconstructing web graphics.2, co-authored with Lynda Weinman. He's also an associate editor and columnist for EFX Art and Design magazine, formerly known as Mac Art & Design. Prior to entering the photodigital frontier, Lentz achieved notice as a sculptor working with sand-carved glass -- a process that he helped to define as a fine art medium. Jon's images have been featured in the 1997 Graphis Poster Annual, Mac Art & Design magazine (Sweden), IdN -- the International Designer's Network magazine (Hong Kong), and other magazines. In July 1998, Shutterbug magazine explored connections between his fine art abstractions and commercial works.

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Customer Reviews

Good, but rough around the edges
This is a good and fairly comprehensive book for Flash 5.

However, most of the expert tutorials are carry overs from the previous book, Flash 4 Bible. It also looks like they were writing this book against a beta version of Flash 5, because many of the screenshots don't match up. So far there are 31 mistakes logged in the 'errata engine' at this books website, I expect more to come, maybe I'm just a cynic.

I may sound like I'm in a bad mood, that's because I just got done with chapter 13. I've probably spent a good hour here and there wondering where I messed up, only to figure out later its the book that is wrong.

If you're looking for a code repository that you can draw from quickly and easily, this sample code isn't as easily ported to your own sites as you might expect. There are more and better resources available free on the net. There are also newer and slicker books out there, dragslidefade is a good place to start when you are done with the standard fare. DSF has lots of code you can really drag and drop into your site, it's even free for download, the web address is in this review.

A Comprehensive Yet Usable Work
Riding the crest of the growing wave of Flash books is this latest offering from Rob Reinhardt and Jon Lentz. This version is twice the size of their Flash 4 Bible and reflects lots of new and revised content. I like how the book is organized - aimed both at beginning users and at people who just want to dive into the action scripting that Macromedia exposed in Flash 5.

The authors strengthen their book by bringing in other authors to do various "Expert Tutorials" and major content for chapters such as the Generator chapter. Colin Moock in a tutorial on pages 1186-1189 answers a question I've had for some time, which is why many Flash sites use frames (hey, you'll have to read it to find out, just like I did!). There IS a reason.

ActionScript is the strength of Flash 5 and this sets the expectation for how Macromedia intends to expand the programming capabilities of Flash. Although this volume doesn't cover ActionScript with the depth of a book that only focuses on ActionScript, it provides a good start for those wanting to become conversant with this technology.

The best web books contain a CD (this one does) and have a corresponding supporting web site, for errata, additional materials etc. Aof this writing (2-18-01) www.flash5bible.com is still "under construction." Hey guys, let's get it completed and up so we can use it with your book!

Joe Meboe

If you thought the Flash 4 Bible was good...
... the Flash 5 Bible will blow you away! Boasting 1300 pages (version 4 was in the 600 range) and 40 hands-on practical tutorials, a CD-ROM packed with examples, a supporting web site with an errata engine (www.theFlashBible.com) this book really has it all.

This is not one of those computer books that covers the same stuff that was in the manual or teaches you how to draw rectangles with the Rectangle Tool. This is for real. Want to send data from Flash through ASP to a database? Want to use the free Generator extensions to automate development? How about a Flash-based hockey game? The Javascript Integration Kit that allows users to control Flash movies from Dreamweaver? It's all there in hands-on tutorials.

If you are new to Flash, don't be alarmed. The Bible has the most comprehensive and accessible introduction you could want. From a 35-page hands-on quickstart tutorial that will have you making an interactive movie in no time, to 16 chapters on drawing, text, sound, animation, the Flash interface, and so on. And when you have graduated to intermediate Flash level, the book is waiting to take you higher.

Start with the literally hundreds of pages on ActionScript, beginner through advanced, loaded with tutorials and examples, and then learn how to integrate Flash with a variety of other programs, from FreeHand and Fireworks to Photoshop, Dreamweaver, Painter, and Expression.

This book is phenomenal. If you use Flash, whether you are just beginning or you are already a power user, the Bible has you covered.

Jon and Rob: Bravo!