Flash Magazine > Reviews

Review: Strata 3Dpro

Strata 3Dpro is a full featured 3D program that can export to the Flash SWF format. This is done using a plugin from Electric Rain, so we had really high hopes for the results when starting this review. Strata is a company that has been around for years, creating programs with a traditional focus on classic 3D models and animation.

Flash 5 Magic with ActionScript

With Flash MX available on the market there seems to be little point in reviewing a book with Flash 5 in title, right? Wrong. There are still many users who have not upgraded to the latest version of the Flash Player plugin. Also, there are a growing number of users viewing Flash content on pocket and mobile devices, which use a cut-down Flash Player for devices, which is always one version behind the latest release of the grown-up Flash Player.

Flash MX: A beginner’s guide

According to his bio, Brian Underdahl has written more than 60 books on "all aspects of computing". I strongly doubt this is a positive thing. I*d rather pay for a book by an expert on a subject, rather than a "write-about-anything-for-money". After reading this book, I strongly doubt that Mr. Underdahl use Flash very often.

Optimaze! by IdeaWorks3D

In Flash MX, you can compress the bitmaps, the sounds and even the ActionScript, but what if you file is primarily built of vectors? Where do you turn to when you need to squeeze some Kb? Optimaze, the only vector compression program available, are put to the test. Optimaze claim a typical 20-45% reduced file size. Can this be true?

Flash Enabled: Flash Design & Development for devices

When Macromedia announced Flash 5 back in 2000 they also made a commitment to put their Flash player onto as many emerging devices as possible.

Object Oriented Macromedia Flash MX

The Flash architecture of timelines within timelines has always been "Object-Oriented". The biggest irony with Actionscript was that when it was introduced in version 4, it wasn't OO. With the launch of version 5 it moved to the ECMA262 model and with MX has matured into a light but versatile application programming language.

Flash Enabled: Flash Design & Development for devices

My first reaction, when I saw the list of authors on the cover of Flash Enabled was one of suspicion. Not yet another multi-author book cobbled together to meet the deadline! Twelve, (yes, twelve!) authors have contributed to this tome and, judging by my experience with other books written by multiple authors, I suspected a rush job.