Book Reviews by d.a.w. DESIGN
Flash MX 2004 Accelerated
By Youngjin.com, Sybex
REVIEW
The layout of this book is very good indeed, one of the best, stunningly full of colour with a nice clean look. Comes with a CD full of source files to do with the exercises, this is particularly imperative for the beginner, may be not for the more advanced. perfect example for others to follow. This book is for beginner to professionals. Very easy to follow exercises. Also keep an eye open for all the tips and notes scattered throughout the book.
Chapter 1 covers installing Flash MX 2004 If you are a beginner this is very handy, if you´re a pro, roll along.
Chapter 2 covers Text Design Creating logos with text and drawing a cool rabbit, and you also make a scrolling text box which I thought was pretty neat when it was first out in Flash MX.
Chapter 3 covers Basic Elements of Animation Working with frames, creating and using graphic symbols also timeline effects.
Chapter 4 covers Animation Methods and Characteristics Exercise 1 gets you rotating the earth using line effects. Exercise 2 you are simulating camera movement with motion tweening. Exercise 3 is working with motion. Exercise 4 shape tweening. Exercise 5 is animating masks. And Exercise 6 gets you doing an E-card animation.
Chapter 5 covers adding actions to frames and buttons. Controlling movie clip properties. Making a floatin menu panel. Creating Action Script with Behaviors panel. Also creating a photo gallery and much more.
Chapter 6 covers Advance animation techniques. Including importing video clips into movie clips. Adding movie clips to buttons. Using masks and movie clips to make an animated movie.
Chapter 7 covers Working with sound. Adding sound to a button. Adding background music. Making a jukebox and using sound in an animation.
Chapter 8 covers Optimization. Export movies to make an SWF File. Create full-screen movies for CD-ROMs. Transparent flash movies. There is no doubt if you buy one in the series you will buy others in the series if they are your subjects. If you are a beginner this is very handy for you to refer to, until you become more efficient.
Conclusion: - This is a must book not only for the beginner, but also for intermediate to advanced. The layout, graphics and printing are exceptionally presented. The content of the book along with the CD are remarkable.
The book sells for $29.99 in the U.S.
Marks 
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