Adobe Flash is the standard for creating lively Web animations. The latest release of this top-rated program is due out in Spring 2007. Formerly a Macromedia product, Flash is now part of the Adobe line of digital graphics and video editing programs. Using Flash, burgeoning Web builders or seasoned developers can create animation content, or turn existing graphics into dynamic Web page animations. Flash also includes features for designing interactive Web page elements, such as buttons and multimedia clips. As a premiere authoring tool, Flash is used to create all manner of digital content and components across a variety of platforms. Improved video encoding, filters and blend modes, and the FlashType font rendering engine make Flash “X” a must-have for anyone wanting to design and maintain dynamic websites. Teach Yourself Visually Flash CS3 Professional covers the basics of using the program, such as using layers and instances to build animation sequences, as well as intermediate and advance features, such as using ActionScript to create interactive Web page components.
