Macromedia Flash 4 Magic [Textbook Binding]

Most Web designers learn new techniques by pulling apart work another designer has already done, so the 21 projects in Flash 4 Magic are ideal. There are 15 utilities, ranging from a guest book interface to a calculator and covering the basics--like preloading images and sounds or using timing instructions--up to working with external scripts, including JavaScript and Apache's PHP script. Once you've mastered those, try the six games. The game play is basic (ping-pong, memory games and whacking games) but the techniques involved are more complex.

Flash 4 Magic assumes you know at least the basics of Flash already but even if you don't the excellent step-by-step instructions are so clear that you'll be able to work through the projects as long as you keep the Flash manual to hand in case you need to check any basic techniques. There are plenty of relevant screen grabs to show you what you need to do at each stage and you get all the artwork and code on the CD (via an interface built in Flash), as well as a finished version of each project so you can see what they should look like and check settings for anything you don't find in the instructions. You can jump in and start building real Flash applets that look good and are useful straight away, which is the best way to learn what Flash can do and how to make it happen. If you want nifty interactivity on your Web site, this is a great way to learn how to make the most of a powerful tool. --Penny Jannifer

21 Flash 4 projects. Professional. Inspirational. Fully customizable. And brought to you by a team of 7 developers and designers who are among today's best Flash designers. Flash 4 Magic offers games (do the names Dodge and Concentration mean anything to you?) and utilities (such as a clock that uses external JavaScript and a poll application that uses external PHP scripting). And more. Just follow the steps. Take a look at the graphics. Check out the CD that includes all the project code. Each New Riders Magic book has been created with you, the computer graphics professional, in mind. Complete effects, adaptable solutions, time-saving techniques, and practical applications. Because computer technology books-like the souls who use them-aren't all alike. So whether you design chops, looking for a new way of doing an effect, or simply seeking creative advice, crack open a Magic book and get started...

21 Flash 4 projects. Professional. Inspirational. Fully customizable. And brought to you by a team of 7 developers and designers who are among todays best Flash designers. Flash 4 Magic offers games (do the names Dodge and Concentration mean anything to you?) and utilities (such as a clock that uses external JavaScript and a poll application that uses external PHP scripting). And more. Just follow the steps. Take a look at the graphics. Check out the CD that includes all the project code. Each New Riders Magic book has been created with you, the computer graphics professional, in mind. Complete effects, adaptable solutions, time-saving techniques, and practical applications. Because computer technology books-like the souls who use them-arent all alike. So whether you design chops, looking for a new way of doing an effect, or simply seeking creative advice, crack open a Magic book and get started...

David Emberton http://www.flashzone.com, http://www.shockfusion.com

David Emberton is a Web developer, writer, and columnist. He's also the editor of FlashZone.com and the producer of FlashChallenge.com and ShockFusion.com.

J. Scott Hamlin http://navworks.i-us.com/, http://www.toylab.com, http://www.eyeland.com

J. Scott Hamlin is the director of Eyeland Studio, a Web entertainment company and content provider for clients such as Sun Microsystems, Nabisco, and MTV Europe.

Chrissy Rey http://www.flashlite.net

Chrissy Rey is an instructor and developer at Fig Leaf Software in Washington, DC. She teaches Flash, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, and Generator. Chrissy is also a freelance writer, editor, and developer.

Scott Balay http://www.infinitefish.com, http://navworks.i-us.com/

Scott Balay is co-founder of NavWorks and spends most of his time creating new interfaces for that, as well as other client work.

Branden Hall http://www.flashlite.net

Branden is a multimedia developer/instructor for Fig Leaf Software, developing, and teaching various Macromedia products, including Flash and Generator 2.

Branden is also pursuing a Bachelors degree in Computer Science at the University of Maryland.

Larry Larsen http://www.greenjem.com

Larry Larsen is a designer/producer for The Poynter Institute. Larry produced the majority of the Flash interfaces from the FlashPacks from NavWorks (http://navworks.i-us.com/) and he teaches and consults on advanced Flash applications.

Daniel Mcskelly http://www.wteam.co.uk

Longtime contributor and assistant editor at http://www.flashzone.com, Daniel Mcskelly works chiefly as a Web designer for The Webteam (http://www.wteam.co.uk) and spends his free time moaning to David Emberton about getting more sleep.