MACROMEDIA DIRECTOR MX-USING DIRECTOR MX, Use Manual

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Introduction 16
An Object inspector with data browser functionality
lets you inspect all properties of script
instances, and examine the hierarchy of elements inside 3D cast members and Flash MX sprites.
The ability to quickly examine and modify all your movie components reduces both debugging
and development time.
Color-coding of recently changed variables
makes tracking changes quick and easy with
immediate visual feedback. As you step through your code, the Debugger window displays the
variables whose values have changed in red.
The split-paned Message window
shows you the results of your code changes immediately. Now
movies can execute and display information in the Output pane while you enter and execute
Lingo commands in the Input pane.
QuickTime 6 support
allows you to take advantage of QuickTime 6 features, including support
for streaming MPEG4 video and MP3 audio.
Macintosh OS X support
lets you create Director MX content using Mac OS X, the modern Apple
operating system. You can author in Mac OS X and create Shockwave applications and
executables that can be viewed on Mac OS X as well as pre–Mac OS X systems.
Resources for learning Director
The Director package contains a variety of media to help you learn the program quickly and
become proficient in creating multimedia—including the printed books Using Director MX and
Director MX Lingo Dictionary, both of which are also available as online help. Using Director MX
contains two tutorials. The Director MX workspace contains tooltips and context-sensitive help,
and additional help is available on the Director MX website at www.macromedia.com/support/
director. The new Answers panel in the Director workspace gives you a quick and easy way to find
out about the latest Director materials available on the web.
Director Help
Director Help is the comprehensive information source for all Director features. The help system
includes complete conceptual overviews of all features, animated examples, descriptions of all
interface elements, and a reference of all Lingo commands and elements. Topics are extensively
cross-referenced and indexed to make finding information and jumping to related topics quick
and easy.
You can access Director Help from the Help menu. To access context-sensitive help, select
Help from the Options menu for any panel, palette, or inspector, or click the Help button in
any dialog box.
Director MX tutorials
When you’re ready to start working in Director, begin with Chapter 2, “Director MX Basics
Tutorial,” on page 53. The tutorial shows you how to create a basic movie using some of the most
useful and powerful features of Director.
If you want to produce 3D content, see Chapter 3, “Director MX 3D Tutorial,” on page 103.
Using Director MX manual
This printed manual contains all the information found in Director Help.