Bruce Von Stiers

Peachpit Press has two very good series that help computer users get up and moving with their software programs. One series is Visual QuickPro Guide. The other series that I really like it the Visual QuickStart Guide. One of the latest in the QuickStart series is Visual QuickStart Guide Macromedia Flash MX for Windows & Macintosh. The author of the book is Katherine Ulrich.

The book has 16 chapters with an Appendix and a detailed Index. It has a total of 613 pages. There is an Introduction that gives a brief overview of what Flash MX is and how this book can be used to learn about the program.

Chapter 1 is The Flash Authoring Tool. In this chapter you will learn about the Flash Authoring Environment. Here is where you will see how the interface (known as the Stage) is used to design and implement your Flash movie You will learn about grids on the Stage and how Rulers and Guides help place items in precise spots for you to work with.

Chapter 2 has you creating some simple graphics to get used to the program. You will be taught how to use things like the Oval and Rectangle Tools. You will find out how to draw on the screen using both the Straight Line and Curve Line Segments. Chapter 3 goes into how to modify simple graphics. The author will show you how to reshape lines and how to distort graphic elements to get a whole different look.

Chapter 4 starts working with a single Layer in building a movie. You will learn about interesting lines and when that would be a good thing. This chapter covers grouping of elements in the Flash movies. The next chapter moves on and deals with working with graphics on multiple layers. You will learn the very important task or properly stacking the layers so that the movie design will go smoother. You will also find out about Mask layers. Chapter 6 goes into reusing elements so that they don’t have to be created again or imported a second time. And the seventh chapter has you learning about how to incorporate non Flash graphics into your Flash movie.

In Chapter 8 you will find out how to make a simple frame-by-frame animation. You will learn about a feature called Onion Skinning and learn how to edit multiple frames quickly. Chapter 9 goes into the motion tweening feature of Flash MX. Here you will learn what tweening is and how to use it effectively. The next chapter takes you further into tweening by working with shapes. You will find out how to take a simple shape in your movie and change it into something more complex and interesting looking.

In Chapter 13 the author takes you into the world of Button Rollovers. Find out how to create buttons that will change shape and color as a mouse pointer is moved over them. You will also learn how to add actions to your movie clip. Chapter 14 shows how to add sound to your movie and import video from other sources to incorporate into your movie as well.

Chapter 15 is about going the extra mile and putting together a Flash movie that uses programming elements. Learn about loading new files and using conditional actions to guide users through an interactive part of the Flash movie. And the last chapter goes through the different ways to complete your Flash movie and get it out to an audience.

Visual QuickStart Guide Macromedia Flash MX for Windows & Macintosh is not the end-all book for learning Flash MX. It is, however, an excellent tool for learning the basics of the program. With one side of a book page filled with text and the other side with timely illustrations, this is a very good format to learn in.

Visual QuickStart Guide Macromedia Flash MX for Windows & Macintosh is available at stores like Barnes and Nobles. You can also order it online from Peachpit Press. Their web site is www.peachpit.com.