How This Book Is Organized

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Because each of the Macromedia Studio MX applications can fill an entire Bible of its own, this book was quite a challenge. We decided the best thing we could do was to focus on the core features of each application and concentrate on using the suite together to demonstrate the fantastic integration features of the suite.

Each of the applications has a section of the book devoted to it. But interwoven into each section are assets and functions of the other applications.

Because some of the authors wanted to give you more material than the book could allow, we have special Bonus Tutorial and Movies folders on the CD-ROM where you'll find additional tutorials and movies. Since there are two Bibles devoted to Flash alone, you can imagine how difficult it was to try and cover it in one section. We give you the basics and many of the new features in the book. There are several projects on the CD-ROM for you to practice the techniques discussed in print. The sections of the book are

Part I: Introduction to Macromedia Studio MX

In this section, you see a brief outline of each of the Macromedia Studio MX applications' strengths and abilities. Then you see a preview of the hottest new features of each application. In Chapter 3, you see how the Macromedia Studio MX Bible author team worked together to develop the Habitat Alert Web site.

Part II: Finessing Macromedia FreeHand

In the FreeHand section, you quickly learn how to use the powerful vector tools in FreeHand. You make logos, business cards, brochures, and even movies! Along the way, you see some of the cool special effects you can achieve. The section wraps up with a chapter on the new features of FreeHand MX.

Part III: Mastering the Power of Macromedia Fireworks MX

The Fireworks section teaches you how to prepare graphics for use on the Web. You learn how to make vector graphics as well as manipulate, edit, and enhance bitmaps. You learn ways to make navigation elements quickly and easily. You learn to optimize your images for smaller file sizes and slice and export them as a fully functioning Web page or for use in Dreamweaver. Because you have more control over a Dreamweaver layout, that method is used for the book's project sample.

Part IV: Unleashing the Power of Macromedia Flash MX

In the Flash section, you discover how its vector tools differ from those in FreeHand and Fireworks, plus how to use its interface and how to get around. You see how to work with the State, the Timeline, make buttons, Movie Clips, and use the new Flash components to add sound. Basic ActionScripting is discussed as well as using the Actions panel. Flash remoting is used in conjunction with ColdFusion, but the text for this is in the ColdFusion section, where it's easier to comprehend.

Part V: Developing in Macromedia Dreamweaver MX

The Dreamweaver section takes you from a blank page to a fantastic layout. You learn the ins and outs of using tables or adding CSS style sheets, adding forms, using the new pop-up menu behavior, and using third-party extensions. You even learn how to set up a database connection and provide dynamic content from a database. There are topics such as using scripts, snippets, DHTML, and all kinds of special tips and tricks.

Part VI: Creating Dynamic Content with Macromedia ColdFusion MX

The chapters in this section are designed to take you beyond the basics - to help you understand what goes on in a ColdFusion application, how it works with other Macromedia tools, and how you can use it to add functionality to the Web sites you build. Some of the examples are shown in the context of the Dreamweaver interface, but most are displayed as plain text to help you understand how ColdFusion's programming language works behind the scenes in your application.



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Macromedia Studio MX Bible
Macromedia Studio MX Bible
ISBN: 0764525239
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2003
Pages: 491

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