Multimedia Technology - General & Miscellaneous, General Web Site Design/Development, Computer Animation, Web Site Design, Flash

Illustrating with Macromedia Flash MX 2004

Name: Illustrating with Macromedia Flash MX 2004
Author: Robert Firebaugh
ISBN: 9781584503156

by Robert Firebaugh

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Overview

Flash has evolved into the perfect tool to create innovative vector graphics and animation for the Web, due mainly to its simple-to-use features, high-quality output, and relatively low cost. Illustrating With Macromedia FlashTM MX 2004 provides users with a complete process for creating vector illustrations in Flash using step-by-step tutorials. Beginning with a tour of the basics, including learning to use Flash’s drawing tools to create impressive effects and professional interfaces, the book then progresses to using Flash to draw in a variety of different styles—cartoon, anime, and photo-realistic. The book concludes by teaching users how to create a photorealistic optimized vector graphic in Flash that takes up a very small amount of file space. This is the one guide users need to master Flash illustration techniques.FEATURES:

Reveals unpublished concepts and techniques showcasing the true potential of vector illustration in Flash
Explains how anyone can create professional looking vector graphics, regardless of artistic talent
Shows how to draw cartoon, anime, and photorealistic vector illustrations
Includes a companion CD-ROM with developer resources and extra bonus tutorials not covered in the book

About the Author, Robert Firebaugh

Robert Firebaugh (Foster City, CA) is the founder of vectorkid, a vector art community site that educates developers about the illustration possibilities in Flash. He has over 10 years of illustration and game design experience, and he is the creative director and co-founder of Electrotank, Inc. The games he has designed have won numerous international awards and have been acknowledged by many publications. He is an active member in the graphics community, publishing many other Flash works in magazines (Computer Arts, Computer Arts Projects, Web Designer, Practical Web Projects, and more). He contributed a chapter on gaming graphics in Macromedia Flash MX Game Design Demystified and is the author of the first edition of this book, as well as the forthcoming, Macromedia Flash® Professional 8 Game Graphics.

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Editorials

Library Journal

Flash MX 2004 (see Computer Media, LJ 6/1/04; LJ 2/1/04) remains the hottest component of Macromedia's web development suite, so stock current guides. Those wanting to implement Flash but are intimidated by its complexity will welcome Teach Yourself, a heavily illustrated, step-by-step beginner's guide to the basics. Unfamiliar terms are succinctly defined on first use, tips answer questions and add info, and full-color screen shots illustrate concepts. Recommended for all public libraries. Including a free trial on CD-ROM, Illustrating focuses on the ins and outs of Flash's vector-drawing tools. While the text is somewhat awkward, the thorough, well-illustrated explanations make it a useful addition for larger libraries serving beginners and those wanting to learn Flash to create graphics. For intermediate users, Beyond the Basics takes readers through completing a complex real-world project, with a practical emphasis on modular construction that allows components to be reused in other projects. Its CD contains movie files that cover confusing processes, plus exercise files, trial versions of Flash and other software, and several media players. Step-by-step instructions, screen shots, discussions of using techniques in real-world situations, and just enough background information recommend this for all libraries. Flash Hacks includes 100 contributed hacks and tricks of varying complexity from multiple designers, ranging from converting animated GIFs to Flash format to making Flash content site-dependent (unable to run outside of your server). A supplemental but fun and thought-provoking purchase for larger libraries that already own how-to guides. Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.