Flash MX Savvy

"A superb resource that budding Flash designers should not be without. This [Flash MX Savvy] is one of the best Flash MX tutorials yet produced. 5/5 stars"
--3D World Magazine

Savvy n : practical know-how

Flash MX is so powerful and versatile that even experienced web designers require additional help to move up to the next level. Focusing on program features as well as results, Flash MX Savvy anticipates your goals and uses professional examples to show you the best ways to attain them. You can either work your way through the book or zero in on any topic or group of tasks, from content creation to media integration to interactivity and ActionScript.

Hands On tutorials allow you to apply different techniques to projects that will yield useful, real-world results. Web designers, animators, artists, and developers will discover what's new in Flash MX, learn the whys, not just the hows, and find a helpful ActionScript reference.

Coverage includes:
Content Creation: painting and drawing, text manipulation, reusable content.
ActionScript: understanding ActionScript as a language, Movie Clip management and parameter control, plus a reference section with essential ActionScript terms.
Interactivity: interface elements and controllers, new Flash components.
Audio Integration: synchronization, compression schemes, scripting of audio interactivity.
Media Integration: with audio applications, with Director, with CD-ROM content, with 3D animation

Contents

Foreword
Introduction

PART I: GETTING TO KNOW FLASH
Chapter 1: Introduction to Flash
Chapter 2: What's New in Flash MX
Chapter 3: A Tour of the Flash Interface
Hands On 1: Customizing Keyboard Shortcuts

PART II: CREATING AND MANIPULATING VISUAL CONTENT
Chapter 4: Painting and Drawing
Chapter 5: Working with Text
Chapter 6: Working with Objects
Chapter 7: Creating and Manipulating Reusable Content
Chapter 8: Adding Depth to Flash Graphics with Layers
Hands On 2: Creating a Garden with Objects and Layers

PART III: ANIMATING WITH FLASH
Chapter 9: Animating with the Timeline
Chapter 10: Working with Movie Clips
Chapter 11: Using Scenes to Organize Animated Content
Hands On 3: Animating a Space Scene

PART IV: SCRIPTING FOR INTERACTIVITY WITH ACTIONSCRIPT
Chapter 12: Adding Interactivity with Basic Actions
Chapter 13: Creating Interactive Controls
Hands On 4: Combining Basic Actions and Button Navigation to Create an Interactive Resume

PART V: ADDING ADVANCED INTERACTIVITY WITH ACTIONSCRIPT
Chapter 14: Understanding and Using ActionScript
Chapter 15: Writing ActionScripts
Chapter 16: Creating Advanced Interaction
Chapter 17: Managing Data Input and Output
Chapter 18: Troubleshooting ActionScript
Hands On 5: Using ActionScript to Create an Interactive, Multilayered Timeline

PART VI: WORKING WITH AUDIO
Chapter 19: Understanding Digital Audio in the Flash Environment
Chapter 20: Flash Audio Basics
Chapter 21: Synchronizing Audio with Animations
Chapter 22: Controlling Audio with ActionScript
Hands On 6: Creating Dynamic Soundtracks with DoReMedia Sound Families

PART VII: INTEGRATING FLASH WITH OTHER PROGRAMS
Chapter 23: Working with Flash and Director
Chapter 24: Working with Flash and FreeHand
Chapter 25: Working with Flash and Digital Audio Applications
Chapter 26: Making Flash 3D
Hands On 7: Creating an Animated 3D Flash Logo

PART VIII: PUBLISHING AND DISTRIBUTING YOUR FLASH MOVIES
Chapter 27: Publishing Your Flash Movie
Chapter 28: Working with Flash and Video
Chapter 29: Using Flash for CD-ROM Development
Hands On 8: Creating a Macintosh/Windows Hybrid CD Using Flash and Toast 5 Titanium

PART IX: APPENDIX AND REFERENCE
Appendix: Adding Cool Bells and Whistles
Reference: ActionScript Reference
Index