This is the Safari online edition of the printed book.

This book starts by giving users proficient in either program a brief introduction to working with the other, then goes on to an overview of working with the entire Adobe Production Suite. Next comes the meat of the book: using After Effects to create content for use in Flash movies. The reader will learn best practices for shooting green screen, as well as animating text, tooning video with the new Cartoon Effect, and using the Puppet Tool to animate photos and graphics.

The book moves on to demonstrate how to enhance and refine Flash movies using After Effects, with an emphasis on 3D. Setting up cameras in software, lighting techniques, creating textures, and assembling virtual environments are all covered. A chapter on using After Effects to convert Flash movies to broadcast standards leads into a whole section on enhancing video in Flash: using the Flash encoder, creating interactive controls (including cue points and branching) and ends with techniques for making video accessible. An Appendix covers the use of Soundbooth to enhance audio (dialog, sound effects, and music). The DVD contains all the lesson files and footage readers need to complete the lessons. 

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 3 Ratings

The book I've been waiting for - 2009-06-01
Reviewer Rating:
I have have been a video editor for many years and recently bought CS4 Production Premium. The books I have found for the creative suite didn't quite meet my needs for an integrated approach. This book covered Flash and advanced features in After Effects as well as how to develop a work flow with the other programs. I would like to see another book in the same vein covering more great ways to use all the tools in this great toolbox.

powerful commonality of integration - 2009-05-18
Reviewer Rating:
Adobe seems to be doing a comprehensive job of tying together its tool portfolio. This book describes the integration of After Effects and Flash. Each is treated separately, at first. So if you wish, you can just focus on learning each tool in standalone mode. At this level, there is plenty to keep you busy. But it should be said that if you just want to deal with each in separation, try consulting the books in this Adobe series that deal just with each, Adobe Flash CS4 Professional Classroom in a Book and Adobe After Effects CS4 Classroom in a Book.

The current book has several projects (aka. case studies) that demonstrate how to tie together both tools. The topics covered are broad, and range from handling analog film clips (and converting these into digital form) to vector drawing and raster animation. Much thought appears to have gone into designing projects that emphasise a powerful commonality of integration.

The final product can also have a high degree of interactivity. This involves actual programming, using ActionScript code, and may appeal to those readers coming from a computing background, as opposed to a graphics background. Here, too, if you need a definitive ActionScript text, try this other book, ActionScript 3.0 for Adobe Flash CS4 Professional Classroom in a Book.

A dynamic interactive guide (with DVD) perfect for any Flash user - 2009-07-19
Reviewer Rating:
Any seeking to learn Adobe Creative Suite 4 will find it holds powerful animation tools which offers specialized features and make for integration challenges and options. Basic and advanced uses for each application in the suite are covered in chapters which teach how to create content, manage projects, and create professional-looking videos with polished results. From creating 3D environments to converting Flash to broadcast and creating interactive controls, this is a dynamic interactive guide (with DVD) perfect for any Flash user.

Browse Similar Topics

Top Level Categories:
Graphics
Multimedia

Sub-Categories:
Graphics > Flash
Multimedia > After Effects