Flash Out of the Box [With CD-ROM]

by Robert Hoekman Jr.

If you believe the sky really is the limit when it comes to creating unparalleled user experiences and applications for the Web--then Macromedia Flash MX is sure to be your tool of choice. With Flash, you can integrate video, text, audio, and graphics into distinctive and compelling web content, stunningly interactive and expressive user interfaces, and rich applications for the Internet. Flash is all about helping you dramatically enhance the user...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0596006918
• ISBN13: 9780596006914
• Release Date: December 2004
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media
• Length: 236 Pages
• Weight: 1.37 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 8.0" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

Flash Out of the Box

Reviewed by: Scott A. Lowe OVERVIEW: Flash Out of the Box is a gentle introduction to the core functionality of Flash that maintains a pace the seasoned web programmer would find acceptable while not losing those who are new to Flash. Although O'Reilly Media acknowledges the book as being "Ideal for all readers -- including programmers" it is best suited for those who are going to commit to the Flash environment and need to learn its strengths in a quick and structured manner. EVALUATION: Written by Robert Hoekman, Jr., Flash Out of the Box is laid out in a format that permits the reader to stay focused on the point being made without one's eye having to deal with competing or redundant information. In part, this is an O'Reilly hallmark in that special care is placed on structure. For instance, supportive information is placed in a shaded area, separate from the central text. This permits the advanced reader to rapidly scan through the chapter without missing the key information. On the other hand, the new user benefits by this format by not being overloaded by new concepts. For instance, Chapter 3 discusses animation by dividing the total process into individual, linear sections. In the obligatory discussion of managing text there is a side section defining "Synchronization", which is necessary information but is also a slight tangent from the topic. By separating the process into sections and then sub-dividing the section with support material sidebars the beginner can proceed in a slow, methodical pace and the veteran can bounce through chapters with ease. Hoekman also utilizes the sidebars as launching points to future avenues of learning and potentially vital resources. For example, when discussing "Animation Transitions" in Chapter 6, the subject ends with examples being limited to simple graphic animations. However, there is a note at the end introducing the API (application programming interface), which addresses the question of advanced capability down the road. In general, the author takes care in leaving the user pointed in the right direction once they have exhausted the materials in the book. In some sense, the content of the book parallels that of most books written about Flash and therefore seems almost cliché in its approach. Topics covered include the usual "how to" sections from drawing boxes and using the ruler to creating a quiz and importing video. However, there is a layer of content that makes Flash Out of The Box two books in one. This becomes evident in the second half of the book where Action Scripts and Behaviors are blended into the exercises. By the time the reader gets three-fourths of the way through the book (the section covering importing video) there is a full comparison of Flash with and without action script. Effectively, a new user can make a first pass at studying the lessons, from beginning to end, and then come back weeks later to learn the more intermediate level of Flash in a

Great Hands-On Style

This book is succinct and personable with a great hands-on style. For visual learners as well as those who enjoy a more kinesthetic learning style, I highly recommend this book. I'm a DW/CSS type person. With Flash and Flash video becoming more standard, I wanted at least a cursory knowledge of the program. But where to begin? To start with, I'll only use it for portions of pages and some of the huge books on the market are overkill for me... not to mention overwhelming. That's one of the things I loved about this book. Hoekman really boils it down for those just starting out. There's no need to confuse the issue by teaching every detail of the program 'encyclopedia style.' He shows you how to get the job done using projects in a logical order. My 12-year old son was able to work through it as easily as I did (except for his tendency to jump around in the book -- looking for things that were 'cool.' Since the projects build on each other, I found it best to do them in the order Hoekman put them in). I really appreciate his conversational style. He tickles my funny bone at times. That's worth a lot while learning. It was nice to see this style book come from O'Reilly.

Excellent introduction to Flash

This volume is neither an omnicomprehensive guide to every single tool or panel of the Flash IDE, nor is a beginner guide to Flash scripting language, ActionScript, but if you are totally new to Macromedia Flash, and you would like to start working with it and being productive in no time (possibly without having to go through a number of tedious thousands pages tomes), then look no further because this is really the textbook you were looking for. Having experience in teaching Flash, I've been asked to be a tech reviewer for this book, because I do know how difficult could be for beginners to stay motivated, putting into practice what they have learned, when they are just taught each tools by its function, without the essential support of concrete examples on how to take the most of the combined use of them. What I find makes this book the excellent beginners guide it truly is, is its being goals centric, teaching the tools only when, and for the reason why, you actually need them, and offering more details only in sidebar boxes, without interrupting this way the practical exercise. More than this, each chapter presents extremely clear explanations and concise step by step instructions and illustrations, and is written in a colloquial manner, making the learning process easier to people new to Flash's terminology. If you already master animation and drawing techniques, and you are more interested in programming with ActionScript, then you should look for another title, but if you are new to Flash and, each time you open it, you really don't know where to start, than this is the ideal candidate for being your first ever text about that amazing tool Macromedia Flash is.

A Fun Approach to Flash

Robert Hoekman, Jr.'s "Flash Out of the Box" is a fun and non-intimidating introduction to Macromedia Flash 2004. It provides exercises (in an accompanying CD) to introduce readers to the basic features of Flash: managing the timeline, developing assets (including sound and video), writing Actionscript, working with buttons and movie clips, loading external files, incorporating preloaders, embedding .swf files in HTML pages, and creating Flash movies for handheld devices and CDs. Throughout the book, as well as in the Resource section, additional Flash references are listed and "best practices" are emphasized. The text is liberally illustrated with screen captures and general illustrations. Flash is challenging to learn because it is so feature-laden and because you can approach it either from a visual, timeline approach or from an Actionscript perspective. Many Flash references take an encyclopedic approach, just going through the commands alphabetically or by menu location. Hoekman's approach is to have you complete typical design projects, although he also provides sidebars offering additional facts and background about Flash features. The book's focus and tone would probably appeal most to people approaching the software from a visual, timeline perspective and who might be intimidated by a heavy-duty Actionscript approach. "Flash Out of the Box" is not a general Flash or Actionscript reference, missing manual, or "bible," and it won't qualify you immediately for Flash Developer certification. But it is recommended for those who want a friendly and logical approach to Flash, whether they are learning totally from scratch, seeking to understand certain features new to 2004, or filling in gaps in their Flash knowledge (I was a reviewer for this book and, even though I had a fair amount of Flash training and experience, I picked up some new tricks). It also would be a good text for instructors to use in an introductory Flash course and can help fledgling Flash users to decide whether to go further with this tool.