We start with the basics—how to edit video in some of the most popular packages available (such as iMovie and Movie Maker 2) and create a Flash video file and import it into Flash.
Next, we move on to the good stuff—creating a custom video player; creating an alpha channel video and using it in some spectacular projects; turning your creativity loose by applying filters and blend effects to video using the Flash interface and ActionScript; creating video walls, menus, and stunning masking effects; and exploring how Adobe After Effects 7 and Flash Professional 8 are poised to become a motion graphics powerhouse. Best of all, you will discover something the authors had discovered by the time they started writing this book...this stuff is fun!
In this book you'll learn:
- The basics of video editing using Movie Maker 2, iMovie, and more
- How to import your video into Flash
- How to work with Flash Video components
- Several of the new features of Flash 8, including alpha channels, filters, and blends How to master several amazing video effects, such as green screen superimposing, video walls, getting your users into the thick of the action with webcams, and much more!
Summary of Contents:
- Creating FLVs using the Video Wizard and the Flash 8 FLV Encoder
- The Basics of Video Creation
- Alternate FLV Creation tools: Sorenson Squeeze 4 and Flix Pro 5
- Creating Flash Video using the FLV Components
- Creating a "Talking head" video using Alpha Channels
- Adding Filters and Blend Effects to Flash Video
- Masking Video
- Creating a Video Wall
- Choosing and Playing Multiple Videos
- Using the Camera Object to Involve the Audience
- Actionscript and Flash Video
- Video Delivery to Cell Phones
Who is this book for?
This book is mainly for users that are new to Flash Video, the book learns you all you need to know to get started but don't expect a large collection of advanced tips and techniques.
Conclusion
Finally it's there, a book on Flash 8 Video. Video is one of the cornerstones of Flash 8 (and arguably the future of the web) so I was quite pleased to get a chance to review this book.
Friends Of Ed use a better layout for this book then ever before, the book is in full color and uses many usefull and decorative images and graphics. The build-up is very clear and the writers do a great job in learning you how to use Flash 8 for video purposes.
Are there any downsites? Well, unfortunatly there are, the book does what it says but does not include a lot of tips and techniques for intermediate or advanced users. I hope Friends of Ed will release another book that does, as there is much more to explore once you know the basics.
So to sum things up, if you're new to Flash 8 and video and you want to learn how to use it as quick as possible, then this book is a must have.
Competition
The friendly people of Friends of Ed are giving away 5 books. All you need to do, to enter the competition is; download the extract (press read more and then download sample PDF on your right)and answer the following question:
-
What is the first version of Flash that included the drawing API?
Send your answer to this e-mail address, before Thursday the 31st of August 2006. Don't forget to include your post address and phone number (required for international shipping) in the e-mail.
Good Luck!
Comments
Be the first to write a comment
You must me logged in to write a comment.