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Did you miss this event? See MD’s presentation notes on her site at: www.flash411.com/flashmx Flash: MD does MX
Who: MD Dundon FLASH: MX & MD! May 16, 2002. The just-launched and somewhat revolutionary Macromedia Flash MX takes center stage. Who better than Flash diva MD Dundon to take us through its paces? She worked closely with Macromedia on this newest version and has released her own CD tutorial to go along with it. MD Dundon has taught Flash in classrooms, at conferences, and to cutting-edge companies, even Macromedia itself. She has created the curriculum for several Flash training programs, including her new Flash Production and Advanced Flash online courses at www.sfsuonline.org And now her experience with Macromedia in developing Flash MX makes her much the go-to person for this latest release. The title of her CD-ROM (that Macromedia coupled with the MX release) gives a clue about where she can take us - Inside Flash MX: Production Essentials. And she's ahead of the curve in terms of teaching MX- she’s written a book containing the first complete 24-week college level Flash curriculum, Macromedia Flash MX Accelerated Learning Workbook (Peachpit/Macromedia Press). Why the Hype? Flash MX marks a change in direction for Macromedia, not just for this single product, but also for the company as a whole. MX is not the result of, but is consistent with, Macromedia’s recent merger with Allaire. Allaire developed server-side applications ColdFusion and JRun. Macromedia, until now, focused on the designer/authoring side. Macromedia has understood that a prime future for the Web lay in commerce and data-driven sites and wanted to position its products to better engage this future. Flash is just the start. Macromedia will debut more MX products. Dreamweaver is next in line. ColdFusion, too, will experience changes so that it can tie in with Flash MX. For everyday Internet users, changes in Flash MX mean they will likely encounter more Web sites developed entirely using Flash. This means less cumbersome interactivity, maybe most noticeable at e-commerce sites. Booking a reservation is no longer a matter of going from page to page, checking rates and availability, submitting credit cards, and having to redo forms because of incomplete information. Flash MX allows all these activities to take place on a single page. Flash objects, embedded on that page, become “smart objects,” encoded with information readily available when called up. Put all the queries on a single page and both transaction time and users’ frustration are reduced. “Huge Improvement in Workflow” For the developer/designer, ultimately, this should mean more agility, efficiency and power. MD says, “Flash MX is an amazing upgrade both in terms of speeding production tasks and streamlining workflow, and also in terms of truly advanced programming and Web application creation support.” She emphasizes that there is a “huge improvement in workflow.” She outlines some of the changes: (1) a brand-new contextual Property Inspector… “A stunning improvement,” (2) a new Free Transform tool, (3) Layer Folders, (4) new Normal and Expert modes for programming ActionScript, and (5) Templates…“You can save your files and use them as custom templates…This has saved my studio hundreds of hours already.” A few reviewers have flailed about regarding the interface-lift and the subsequent re-learning required. MD disagrees. She explains that, beyond the enhancement to the Property Inspector, interface usability hasn't changed. Yes, the look has been updated, but only to bring it into line with the standard user interface common to Macromedia’s other products (Dreamweaver, Fireworks, etc.). Taking full advantage of Flash MX means taking advantage of the expanded potential of ActionScript. No problem, says MD. “The syntax of the language of ActionScript and the rules of the road remain relatively simple. We, as designers and animators and illustrators, tend to have an inferiority complex when it comes to programming. But we actually have the thought processes in place needed to become adept at ActionScripting.” The effort brings rewards. “A ton of objects can be accessed with ActionScript, such as dynamic text fields and buttons (and other ready-mades for stock interface components) and, besides, the inclusion of features like setInterval eases many programming tasks.” Also new are a media player that doesn't jerk the user over into a separate interface and, no small thing, modules for optimizing content for handhelds. A Plan of Attack, A Rare Opportunity MD’s approach to this presentation will be two-pronged. She plans to give an overview, taking us through the new features as well as noting improvements in the old ones. She’ll group the features into her traditional divisions of workspace management, illustration tools, animation, interface creation, ActionScript, and dynamic design. Beyond this overview, she wants to suggest a learning path for Flash MX, something the audience can walk away with and use for later personal exploration and just plain getting up to speed. The usual Q & A session will follow the presentation. Flash is here to stay, preinstalled these days on over 98% of all browsers. Reviewers have been quite enthusiastic about MX. Come and be introduced to it via someone who knows as much as there is to know about it. This will be a rare opportunity, because MD says, “I’m working my way out of teaching and more back to business.” The last time MD showed up to do Flash for an NBMA meeting, it was sold out. This time, reservations are required at Acteva. There'll be a raffle early in the evening. Expect some freebie give-aways, too. [MD Dundon is founder of two companies, Paradox Production (film) and Flash411 (experience and prototype design). Through them she has explored issues of interactivity in documentary photography, psychobiology, film directing, screenwriting, art/video installations, interface design, and usability. As a designer, she has worked with leading corporations, developing pioneering prototypes and working applications for the Web, Flash, e-learning, 3D environments, video, interactive television, walk- through and Web appliance interactions.] © Joe Zizzi, 2002 jziz@nbma.com The last time MD covered Flash for NBMA, there was an overflow crowd. Register early. Come at 6:00 PM for lively networking. MD will start at 7:00 PM. Directions to McInnis Atrium, Autodesk HQ 111 McInnis Parkway San Rafael, CA - Take Highway 101 - Exit at Terra Linda/Freitas Pkwy - Head EAST and turn RIGHT onto Civic Center Driver (the frontage road) - Turn LEFT onto McInnis Pkwy (at the 2nd signal light, just past the RR tracks) - Follow McInnis past the Embassy Suites Hotel - Turn RIGHT into the Autodesk parking lot |
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