Special Edition Using Macromedia Flash MX

Special Edition Using Macromedia Flash MX provides readers with a comprehensive reference. It covers everyday basic skills quickly and concisely to allow more time to be spent detailing more advanced topics. It is organized by topic, rather than linearly, so that readers can jump in and learn only what they need to complete the task at hand. The authors have loaded the book up with real-world tasks, tips, and techniques as well as answers to questions that they've been hearing for years as trainers. Topics covered include using the Library more effectively, ActionScript Debugging, and creating dynamic Flash applications. Coverage also includes:

Table of Contents

Introduction.

I. FLASH ENVIRONMENT AND TOOLS.

1. What's New in Flash MX.
2. The Flash Interface.
3. Drawing and Painting in Flash.
4. Using Bitmaps in Flash.
5. Working with Text.

II. ANIMATION AND SOUND.

6. Symbols, Instances, and Library Assets.
7. Animating in Flash.
8. Using Sound.
9. Buttons, Menus, and User Input.
10. Integrating Video.

III. ADDING ADVANCED INTERACTIVITY WITH ACTIONSCRIPT.

11. Getting Started with ActionScript.
12. Managing Variables, Data, and Datatypes.
13. Using Operators.
14. Working with Data: Using Statements.
15. Combining Statements into Functions.
16. Interaction, Events, and Sequencing.
17. Unlocking the Power of Movie Clips.
18. Drawing with ActionScript.

IV. ADVANCED ACTIONSCRIPTING.

19. Using the Built-in Core Objects.
20. Using the Built-in Movie Objects.
21. Packaging Data and Functions Using Custom Objects.
22. Components.
23. Using Learning Interactions.
24. Sharing ActionScript.
25. Testing, Debugging, and Troubleshooting.

V. EXTERNAL COMMUNICATION WITH FLASH.

26. Communicating Locally.
27. Communicating with the Server.
28. XML Data.

VI. OUTPUT OPTIONS FOR FLASH.

29. Printing a Flash Movie.
30. Optimizing, Publishing, and Exporting Movies.

VII. APPENDIX.

Appendix A. Making Flash Accessible.
Index.