Centreline 2000 Book Recommendations

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Flash 4 Bible by Jon Warren Lentz, Robert Reinhardt

Since, for most Web developers, Flash is just one application within the workflow, the authors spend considerable time on "real life" situations where it is used with Photoshop, QuickTime 4 or Director. The last chapters cover distributing the Flash movie, either within a Web page, as a QuickTime movie, or as a standalone.

Along the way, sample files on the CD-ROM illustrate numerous tools and procedures while expert tutorials feature more detailed projects by leading Flash experts, such as "Sending a Form to an E-mail CGI Script". The uncluttered writing style of the book pairs well with the equally clear and well-captioned screen shots.

As Flash is a complicated application, the book's simple layout and non-jokey text tend to quickly diminish reader confusion. The book even anticipates common questions in sidebar Notes and Tips. By focusing on step-by-step teaching of Flash 4, this manual may succeed where others have failed. And over 600 pages of small steps can take you pretty far. --Angelynn Grant, amazon.com

Topics covered: A comprehensive manual to using Flash 4, including an introduction to the interface and tools, how to create graphics within Flash and how to import them, using sound, creating animations, using ActionScripts, working in tandem with other applications and distributing finished movies. CD-ROM includes sample files to illustrate points and accompany tutorials, as well as demo versions of Flash and other related applications.

Synopsis

Since its introduction in 1996, Flash has become the standard for creating high-impact vector-based Web sites that deliver sound, interactivity, graphics and animations that perform across multiple browsers and platforms. This title is designed as a user-friendly yet in-depth guide to Flash 4.

Customer Comments

latinabeat@youpy.com from UK , 13 April, 2000
Flash for programmers? I came to the conclusion that the main problem with Flash manuals is that they are mostly aimed at beginners. I bought this book hoping that it would improve my flash programming knowledge.

The book it’s excellent if you have just bought Flash or if you want to know how it works with other programs but for those who have been doing it for a while , you are better off looking for tutorials on the web.

I have yet to find a book for advanced programming in Flash, it seems that the authors just don’t want to give anything away.

A reader from UK , 29 March, 2000
Perfect for intermediate Flashers The book is very easy to read and dipping in to find the right information is also simple. Rather than dwelling on the basics of using the Flash tools (although these are covered) the books main strength is the numerous case studies which explain how to create certain effects.

loveland@clara.co.uk from brighton,UK , 23 March, 2000
not enough on action script This book fails to live up to it's title (bible), because it tries to cover too many things.If I wanted to know about snare drum rudiments or how to programme for director, then I would have bought a different book! The main feature of flash4 over flash3, is enhanced programming.Flash itself covers drawing and animation pretty well anyway, so for this book to be really useful, it should have spent at least 300-400pages concentrating on the difficult but very powerful subject of programming with Flash.Maybe what I have said will register somewhere and someone able, will write such a book.(called'programming with/for flash4'?)

thepublic@bigfoot.com from London , 3 March, 2000
Lives up to its hype. Without a doubt the best Flash 4 book Owning both Flash 4 Magic and Flash 4 Bible, there is no comparison, for they are both very different books. Flash 4 Bible is extremely more comprehensive and authoritative- from a wide-ranging collaberation of the best Flash authors in the field.

Flash 4 Magic is just a project book in comparison. It doesn't try to explain techniques, as much as walk you through various pre-made .fla files. Although it is useful, it certainly isn't a reference book....

Being a professional website designer, I am continue to be impressed by Flash 4 Bible. It blows away their competition.

kevsutherland@hotmail.com from U.K , 2 March, 2000
A good starter but fails to go address anything in any depth It's a hefty boof leading you to beleive that it's going to include a great deal of detail. However the book spreads itself very thinly indeed, covering way to many 3rd party integration subjects and very little on Flash itself. Whilst these subjects need to be covered, they should fall second in priority to the potential of Flash. Buy the book if you've just purchased Flash and don't want to read the manual. If you realy want to learn Flash buy Flash Magic by David Emberton and friends (now there's a useful book).