book

Special Edition Using® Macromedia® Studio 8

by Sean Nicholson, Kristin Henry

December 2005

Beginner

744 pages

17h 56m

English

Que

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Dedication
About the Contributing Author
What’s New in Studio 8?Who Should Read This Book?How to Use This BookConventions Used in This Book
Planning and Designing Your SiteChoosing Your ToolsStreamlining Your DevelopmentSupplemental SoftwareInternet Information Services (IIS) or Apache Web ServerMacromedia Flash PlayerMicrosoft AccessTroubleshootingBest Practices—Maintaining Security Patches on Your Web Server Applications
Studio 8: Common Application ElementsMain Menu and ToolbarPanelsProperty InspectorTools PanelToolsStrokes and FillsSetting Stroke and Fill ColorsWorking with FillsWorking with GradientsThe Eyedropper ToolThe Line ToolThe Pencil ToolRectangle and Ellipse ToolsThe Pen ToolDrawing Straight Line SegmentsDrawing Curved SegmentsAdjusting Anchor Points and HandlesAdjusting Curved SegmentsOptimizing CurvesWorking with TextAdding TextResizing Text BlocksChanging Text GloballyCharacter and Paragraph AttributesFont, Point Size, Color, and StylesText DirectionKerning and Character SpacingAlignment and JustificationTroubleshootingBest Practices—Familiarizing Yourself with Panel Functionality and Customizing Your Workspace

What’s New in Fireworks 8Fireworks 8 EnvironmentA Quick Look at the Fireworks EnvironmentThe Major Interface ElementsDocument WindowTools Unique to FireworksSelect Tools GroupSelect BehindDistortExport AreaBitmap ToolsMarqueeOval MarqueeLassoPolygon LassoMagic WandBrushPencilEraserBlurSharpenDodgeBurnSmudgeRubber StampReplace ColorRed-Eye RemovalVector ToolsLinePen ToolVector PathRedraw PathRectangleEllipsePolygonAuto ShapesFreeformReshape Area ToolPath Scrubber—Additive and SubtractiveKnife ToolWeb ToolsHotspotSlice and Polygon SliceProperty InspectorMenu BarFile MenuEdit MenuView MenuSelect MenuModify MenuText MenuCommands MenuFilters MenuWindow MenuHelp MenuFireworks PanelsOptimize PanelLayers PanelAssets PanelStyles TabURL TabLibrary TabShapes TabFrames and History PanelFrames TabHistory TabCustomization with PreferencesGeneral TabEditing TabLaunch and EditFoldersImportTroubleshootingBest Practices—Knowing When and How Your Images Will Be Viewed
Graphics As ObjectsBitmap GraphicsVector GraphicsPaths Versus StrokesLayersLayers Panel BasicsFramesFrames Panel BasicsLayers and FramesShared Versus Unshared LayersWeb LayerSimple RolloverSwap Image BehaviorNavigation Bars with Four-State ButtonsFireworks and AnimationAnimation PlanningBuilding an AnimationFrame-by-Frame AnimationOnion SkinningDistribute to FramesPlaying Your AnimationTweened AnimationAnimation SymbolsCreating Animation SymbolsModifying Animation SymbolsOptimizing Your Animation for Export As an Animated GIFOptimizing Your Animation for Export to FlashTroubleshootingBest Practices—Knowing When to Create Animations with Fireworks
Optimization FundamentalsCompressionLossless CompressionLossy CompressionDitheringFile TypesUsing the Optimize PanelOptimize to Size CommandUsing Saved SettingsCreating Manual SettingsManually Optimizing JPEGsManually Optimizing GIFsExporting Fireworks ImagesWeb GraphicsWeb PagesIntegrating with DreamweaverIntegrating with FlashIntegrating with DirectorTroubleshootingBest Practices—Saving and Versioning Your PNG Files
Automating TasksFind and ReplaceBatch ProcessingCreating Custom Commands with the History PanelExtending FireworksEditing Command ScriptsInstalling ExtensionsTroubleshootingBest Practices—Knowing When to Use Batch Processing
Creating the Base DocumentCreating a Stylized ImageAdding Text to the TemplateCreating the Web ElementsEstablishing the Text/Image RegionAdding Navigation ButtonsExporting the ImagesTroubleshootingBest Practices—Creating Web Pages in Fireworks Versus Dreamweaver
What Is Flash?What’s New in FlashFilters and the Filter PanelBlend Modes (with Device Text Support)Radial Gradient ImprovementsStroke EnhancementsObject Drawing ModelObject-Level Undo Is BackTextBitmap CachingScripting and Run-time AccessMedia and ComponentsWorkspace LayoutProperty InspectorPanelsColor Mixer PanelFilters PanelThe Actions PanelSetting Document AttributesThe TimelineLayers and Layer FoldersFrames and KeyframesOnion Skinning and Multiple Frame EditingToolsThe Arrow Tools: Selection Tool and Subselection ToolFree Transform Tool (Q)Gradient Transform Tool (F)Line Tool (N)Lasso Tool (L)Pen Tool (P)Text Tool (T)Oval, Rectangle, and Polystar Tools (O and R)Pencil Tool (Y)Brush Tool (B)Paint Bucket and Ink Bottle Tools (K and S)Eyedropper Tool (I)Eraser Tool (E)The LibraryTroubleshootingBest Practices—Practice Makes Perfect
Understanding Bitmap and Vector GraphicsWorking with BitmapsImporting BitmapsCompressing BitmapsTracing BitmapsOptimizing Traced BitmapsBreaking Apart BitmapsWorking with Vector GraphicsDrawing LinesDrawing FillsObject Drawing ModelGradients and Bitmap FillsImporting Vector GraphicsEditing and Adjusting Vector ShapesUsing the Selection and Subselection ToolsOptimizing CurvesWorking with TextEmbedded and Device FontsBreaking Text ApartUsing Snap to Pixels to Automatically Align TextAlignment and JustificationTurning Anti-Aliasing OffUsing Layout AidsSnappingGrids, Guides, and Guide LayersSizing Shapes PreciselyThe Align PanelCreating a MaskTroubleshootingBest Practices—Getting to Know the Tools
Preparing Your Content For AnimationUnderstanding SymbolsSymbol TypesGraphic SymbolsMovie Clip SymbolsButton SymbolsCreating Master SymbolsConverting Illustrations Into SymbolsCreating New SymbolsEditing Master SymbolsSymbol InstancesInstance TransformationsRemoving TransformationsBreaking a Symbol Apart from the MasterAnimating In FlashLayers With Static ContentKeyframe-by-Keyframe AnimationMotion TweeningCustom EasingMotion GuidesShape TweeningNested AnimationsTimeline EffectsTroubleshootingBest Practices—Planning Your Content And Animation
What Is ActionScript?Code PreparationControlling the Timeline with ActionScriptWorking with VariablesUsing the trace() StatementDatatypesMaking Decisions with Conditionals and switchUsing the if StatementUsing the switch StatementUsing Loops to Repeat ActionsforCombining Statements into FunctionsPassing Information to Functions in ArgumentsUsing Return Values to Retrieve ResultsScopeWorking with ButtonsWorking with Movie ClipsMovie Clip PropertiesWorking with Movie Clip PropertiesMovie Clip EventsAdding and Removing Movie Clip InstancesRemoving a Movie ClipDragging and Dropping Movie ClipsWorking with Dynamic MasksTroubleshootingBest Practices—Keeping Your Code Organized with Comments
Drawing APIDrawing API MethodsDrawing a LineDrawing a Curved LineDrawing a ShapeProgrammatic Movement (Animating with ActionScript)TroubleshootingBest Practices—When to Use with
Brief Introduction to OOPClassesUsing the Built-In Classes in FlashCreating Your Own Custom ClassesCreating a New ActionScript FileSetting a ClasspathClass StructureCreating an Instance from Your ClassStatic, Public, and Private Properties and MethodsSuperclasses and SubclassesAdvanced Event HandlingSystem Events and User Input EventsScoping and the this Keyword with Event HandlersDisabling and Deleting Event HandlersTroubleshootingBest Practices—Organizing Your Code
Communicating LocallyControlling Browser WindowsJavaScriptControlling a Flash ProjectorLoading Text DataThe LoadVars() ObjectEmbedding Data in a Text DocumentXML DataIntroduction to XMLImporting XML DocumentsUsing XML DataBuilding XML DataSending XML Documents to the ServerLoading External Images and MoviesGlobal loadMovie()MovieClip.loadMovie()MovieClipLoader()MovieClipLoader EventsMovieClipLoader MethodsSecurity Features Added Since Flash Player 7Cross-Domain Policy FileSystem.security.loadPolicyFile()Detection of the Flash PlayerTroubleshootingBest Practices—Which Method to Use When Loading Data
Integrating VideoEmbedded VideoProgressive Download VideoVideo Import WizardFLVPlayback ComponentFlash 8 Video EncoderStreaming VideoUsing SoundImporting SoundsAdding Sound to Your TimelineChanging Imported Sound PropertiesSWF Sound Export CompressionLoading External MP3 FilesTroubleshootingBest Practices—File Preparation and Bandwidth Concerns
Getting StartedCreating the XML DocumentCreating the Flash Slide Show DocumentLoading the XML Data and ImagesExploring the XML DataCreating the Slide Display CodeShowing the Images in SequenceAdding User-Friendly Features”Data Loading” MessageUser Controls: Pause, Start, Slow DownCreating the Movie Clip ButtonsAttaching Button CodeDefining Actions for the Event HandlersAdding Visual Indicators to Interactive ElementsApplying a Dynamic Drop ShadowApplying a Filter with ActionScriptAdding a Drop Shadow to Your Slide ShowTroubleshootingBest Practices: An Approach to Project Development
Introducing ColdFusion MX 7What’s New in ColdFusion MX 7Understanding the ColdFusion ArchitectureConfiguring ColdFusionUsing the Built-in Web ServerConfiguring ColdFusion for Use with an Alternative Web ServerConfiguring Data SourcesUsing Flash to Access the ColdFusion ServerWeb ServicesFlash RemotingTroubleshootingBest Practices—When Is ColdFusion the Right Platform?
Introducing CFMLUnderstanding the LanguageCustom TagsCustom Tag BasicsCreating a Custom TagUsing ColdFusion for Database OperationsRetrieving DataInserting RecordsUpdating RecordsDeleting RecordsTroubleshootingBest Practices—Properly Documenting Code
Rich Media Flash FormsCreating a Basic Flash FormAdding Tabs to a Flash FormColdFusion Report BuilderConfiguring the Report BuilderUnderstanding the Report LayoutReporting FormatsPDF ReportsFlashPaper ReportsMicrosoft Excel ReportsCreating Printable Web PagesTroubleshootingBest Practices—Limiting SQL Queries
Understanding the Basics of SearchingUsing SQL Queries to Return Search ResultsColdFusion’s Verity Search Engine ArchitectureConfiguring Verity and Creating a CollectionSubmitting Queries to the Verity Search ServerTroubleshootingBest Practices—Designing a User Interface for Your Search Application
Understanding the Database StructureDatabase Naming and LocationCreating a Connection to the DatabaseTroubleshootingBest Practices—Periodic Maintenance of Your Access Database
What’s New In Dreamweaver 8The Dreamweaver 8 Interface, in DepthWorkspace LayoutsExploring the Document WindowTitle BarMenu BarToolbarsStatus BarWindow Size SelectorTag SelectorUsing the Property InspectorWorking with PanelsArranging Panel GroupsCSS Panel GroupApplication PanelsTag Panel GroupFiles Panel GroupFrames PanelHistory PanelResults Panel GroupSearch PanelReference PanelValidation PanelTarget Browser Check PanelLink Checker PanelSite Reports PanelFTP Log PanelServer Debug PanelTimelines PanelCode InspectorWorking with Text in the Design ViewParagraphsLine BreaksStyling TextSetting the Font FaceSetting the Font SizeSetting the Font ColorSetting Font StylesAligning TextIndenting TextCreating Lists in DocumentsUnordered (Bulleted) ListsOrdered (Numbered) ListsGenerating Content in the Code ViewCollapsible Code BlocksIndenting Code BlocksTag HintsAuto Tag CompletionCode ColorsTroubleshootingBest Practices—Properly Commenting and Indenting Code
Establishing a Dreamweaver SiteDefining the Site LocallySetting the Remote InformationCloaking Specific File ExtensionsManaging DocumentsCreating a New DocumentSaving FilesDeleting, Duplicating, and Renaming DocumentsOpening an Existing DocumentUsing Design Notes to Track Changes to a DocumentPredesign Page SetupAdding a Page TitleEstablishing Page PropertiesSelecting a Background ColorSetting Background ImagesWorking with Page MarginsChanging the Default Text ColorManaging Link ColorsPrepublishing ChecksEstimating Download SpeedSpell CheckingChecking Pages for Cross-Browser CompatibilityA Final Manual ReviewTroubleshootingBest Practices—Following the Development, Testing, and Production Model
Reusing Page Elements and CodeWorking with AssetsCreating a Favorites List and Favorites FolderAdding an Asset to the Favorites ListCreating a New Favorites FolderAsset TypesImagesColorsURLsFlash MoviesShockwave MoviesMoviesScriptsTemplatesLibrary ItemsReusing AssetsMaintaining the Assets PanelEditing Assets in Other ProgramsUsing the Assets Panel Between SitesWorking with Code SnippetsCreating a Code SnippetOrganizing SnippetsReusing SnippetsUsing Library ItemsCreating Library ItemsUsing Library ItemsEditing Library ItemsDetaching from the OriginalDeleting Library ItemsBehaviors in Library ItemsTroubleshootingBest Practices—Creating Code Snippets from Custom Code
Introducing StylesIndividual StylesStyle SheetsAdding Styles to Your SiteCreating a New Style SheetDefining New Individual StylesApplying Styles Throughout Your PagesAttaching a Style Sheet to a PageUsing Styles to Set Page PropertiesApplying Styles to TextApplying Styles to TablesApplying Styles to FormsApplying Styles to Other ObjectsAdding Comments to Cascading Style SheetsTroubleshootingBest Practices—Migrating Sites and Pages Away from the <FONT> Tag
Choosing a Design FormatDesigning with TablesDrawing Table Layouts and Cells in Layout ModeDrawing a Layout TableDrawing a Layout CellNesting a Layout TableUsing the Expanded Mode to Assist with Table LayoutSetting Layout Table and Cell AttributesMoving and Resizing Cells and TablesAdding ContentDesigning with FramesCreating FramesetsManaging the Frameset with the Frames PanelAdding Content to the FramesDesigning with LayersCreating a LayerNaming the LayerSetting VisibilitySetting the Stacking OrderSelecting, Moving, and Resizing a LayerAdding Content to a LayerConverting Layers to TablesTroubleshootingBest Practices—Combining Layers with Tables to Ensure Proper Page Layout
Introducing TemplatesBuilding a TemplateCreating a Template from ScratchCreating a Template from an Existing PageDesignating Editable RegionsCreating Optional RegionsCreating Repeating RegionsSetting Object Attributes As EditableEditing an Existing TemplateApplying a TemplateCreating New Pages from Your TemplateApplying Templates to Existing PagesRemoving Template MarkupClean Up HTMLExport Without MarkupDetach Page from TemplateNesting TemplatesTroubleshootingBest Practices—Exporting Pages Without Markup for Publication on the Web
Understanding Dreamweaver BehaviorsJavaScript and DreamweaverUsing JavaScript SnippetsApplying BehaviorsRollover Images and Navigation BarsCreating a Rollover ImageDesigning Remote RolloversCreating Navigation BarsPlug-ins, Applets, and ControlsPlug-insJava AppletsActiveX ControlsAudio and Video for the WebAdding Sound FilesInserting VideoAdding Rich Media ContentFlash MoviesImage ViewerFlash TextFlash ButtonsFlashPaperUsing Timelines to Create Moving and Interactive LayersTroubleshootingBest Practices—Being Aware of Bandwidth Limitations When Serving Video
Introducing Dynamic ApplicationsCreating a Dreamweaver Site for Dynamic PagesDatabase OperationsThe Database ConnectionThe Search FormConstructing a RecordsetAdding Dynamic Data BindingsUsing Server Behaviors to Avoid ErrorsUsing the LiveData ViewCreating Dynamic PagesResults PageDetails PageInsert Record PageUpdate Record PageDelete Record PageTroubleshootingBest Practices—Using Record Update Pages to Archive Data Rather Than Record Deletion Pages to Delete Data
Examining the Fireworks TemplateCreating a Dreamweaver Template and Child PagesBuilding the Inventory RecordsetCreating the For Sale SectionBuilding the For Sale Dynamic TableCreating the Details PageTroubleshootingBest Practices—Creating Master/Detail Page Sets More Quickly
Introducing ContributeThe Contribute EnvironmentThe Contribute Start PageMenu BarSidebarBrowse/Edit WorkspaceContribute ToolbarContribute WorkspaceStatus BarCreating a Website ConnectionManaging FilesLocating an Existing PageCreating a New PageDeleting PagesEditing ContentWorking Within Dreamweaver TemplatesEditing TextAdding ImagesAdding TablesCreating HyperlinksSaving Changes to PagesTroubleshootingBest Practices—Content Reviews Prior to Publishing
Administering a Contribute WebsiteUsers and RolesEditing Role SettingsGeneral SettingsFolder/File AccessEditingStyles and FontsNew PagesFile PlacementShared AssetsNew ImagesCreating New RolesSending Connection KeysAdministrationUnderstanding Publishing ServicesWeb Server ConfigurationSetting Up RollbacksNew Page SettingsChoosing a Compatibility ModeTroubleshootingBest Practices—Minimum Settings That Should Be Set for Administrators
Introducing FlashPaperConverting a Document to FlashPaperConverting a Microsoft Word Document to FlashPaper from Within WordConverting Documents from Within Windows ExplorerInserting FlashPaper from Within ContributeSearching for TextSelecting TextEditing FlashPaper ContentCreating Hyperlinks for Use in FlashPaper ObjectsCreating an OutlineTroubleshootingBest Practices—Choosing FlashPaper or PDF for Your Document Management Model
Creating a Contribute Connection for Retro’s CyclesSetting Up Users Via Connection KeysBrowsing the Existing LayoutAdding Content to the PagesAdding FlashPaper DocumentsTroubleshootingBest Practices—Contribute Versus Content Management Systems

Content preview from Special Edition Using® Macromedia® Studio 8

Chapter 14. Working with External Data in Your Flash Projects

In this chapter

A Flash application can communicate with its local environment and pass data back and forth to a remote server. You might be wondering, “Application? Isn’t Flash usually a movie?” Flash is probably best known for its animation capabilities as well as interactive media, but Flash is also well suited for working with external data and interactive data visualization. In this chapter you will learn some of the basics of working ...