Part XI: Appendixes

In the appendixes, you'll find directions for using the CD-ROM (Appendix A) and a listing of contact and bio information for the guest experts is also available (Appendix B). Included on the CD-ROM as PDF files is bonus information on digital sound basics that explains sound sampling rates and bit-depths (Appendix C), and information on digital video basics (Appendix D).

Getting in Touch with Us

You can find additional information, resources, and feedback from the authors and other readers at www.flashsupport.com . We want to know what you think of individual chapters in this book. Visit www.flashsupport.com/feedback to send us your comments.

If you have a great tip or idea that you want to share with us, we'd like to hear from you. You can also send comments about the book to info @theMakers.com .

Also, check Appendix B to learn more about this book's various contributors and guest experts — including URLs of their work and contact information for people who don't mind being contacted directly by our readers.

For quality concerns or issues with the CD-ROM, you can call the Wiley Customer Care phone number: (800) 762-2974. Outside the United States, call 1 (317) 572-3994, or contact Wiley Customer Service by e-mail at techsupdum@wiley.com . Wiley Publishing, Inc. will provide technical support only for CD-ROM installation and other general-quality control items; for technical support on the applications themselves , consult the program's vendor.

Macromedia Wants to Help You

Macromedia has created a Feature Request and Bug Report form to make it easier to process suggestions and requests from Flash users. If you have an idea or feature request for the next version or you find a bug that prevents you from doing your work, let the folks at Macromedia know. You can find the online form at www.macromedia.com/support/email/wishform .

The simple fact is this: If more users request a specific feature or improvement, it's more likely that Macromedia will implement it.

Regardless of your geographic location, you always have access to the global Flash community for support and the latest information through the Macromedia Online Forums at http://webforums.macromedia.com/flash .

For inspiration and motivation check out the Site of the Day, weekly features, and case studies at www.macromedia.com/showcase .

Part I: An Introduction to Flash Web Production

Chapter List

Chapter 1: Understanding the Flash 8 Framework
Chapter 2: Exploring Web Technologies
Chapter 3: Planning Flash Projects

Part Overview

If you're new to Flash or to multimedia production, this section gets you started on the right foot . If you are a veteran Flash user , this section gives you some perspective on the evolution of Flash and the workflow options available in Flash 8.

Chapter 1 provides a comprehensive overview of the strengths and weaknesses of the Flash format and some background on where Flash came from and how it has evolved. Chapter 2 explores the various ways that Flash movies interact with other Web formats and introduces some of the issues that need to be considered when planning for specific audiences. Chapter 3 has expanded coverage of tools and strategies for multimedia project planning, including detailed descriptions of how to create flowcharts, site maps, and functional specification documents.

Chapter 1: Understanding the Flash 8 Framework

Overview

In This Chapter

Exploring the uses of Flash 8

Identifying Flash file types

Introducing the structure of Flash documents

Since its humble beginnings as FutureSplash in 1997, Macromedia Flash has matured into a powerful tool for deploying a wide range of media content. With every new version released, the possibilities have increased for imaginative and dynamic content creation—for the Web and beyond. Macromedia has responded to the development community's unprecedented embrace of Flash by expanding advanced features and enhancing tools for new users. Never before has Flash incorporated so many new features in a single release.

In this chapter, we introduce Flash 8 and explore the many possibilities that are available for your productions . We also discuss how Flash compares to or enhances other programs that you may be familiar with.

Flash movies are usually viewed in a few different ways. The most common method is from within a Web browser, either as an asset within an HTML page or as a Web site completely comprised of a master Flash movie using several smaller Flash movies as loaded SWF assets. The Flash Player is also available as a stand-alone application (known as a projector ), which can be used to view movies without needing a Web browser or the plug-in. This method is commonly used for deployment of Flash movies on CD-ROMs, floppy disks, or other offline media formats.

Cross-Reference

You can learn more about projectors and stand-alones in Chapter 23, "Using the Flash Player and Projector."

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Reinhardt R., Dowd S.

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