As one of the most advanced 3-D modeling, animation, and rendering packages on the market, Maya 2008 is used extensively in feature films, broadcast, motion graphics, and design. In Maya 2008 Essential Training, animation director and producer George Maestri covers all areas of Maya. From general workflow to manipulating objects, modeling, rendering, paint effects, and animating, these tutorials are ideal for those who quickly need to get up to speed on Maya, whether at the professional or novice 3-D animation level. Exercise files accompany the course.

The use of RSS feeds is a growing trend, and they can be found within many new websites. In ActionScript 3.0: Working with XML, instructor Todd Perkins places strong emphasis on using RSS data for blogs, podcasts, and images. He also demonstrates how to perform common tasks with XML, such as using E4X syntax, loading external data from local and remote locations, saving data, and integrating with popular services like Flickr. Exercise files accompany the course.

Application developers who want to create cross-platform, data-centric applications need the power of Flex 3. In Flex 3 Essential Training, Adobe Certified Instructor David Gassner starts with the basics of understanding Flex, its projects, and its related programming languages. He explores the intricacies of the development platform and the Flex Builder 3 integrated development environment, then gives in-depth, hands-on tutorials on creating, designing, customizing, and publishing dynamic web and desktop applications in Flex 3. Exercise files accompany the course.

Final Cut Pro 6 Workflow was created and produced by Frank Rohmer. We are honored to host his material in the lynda.com Online Training Library®.

Designed with the editor in mind, Final Cut Pro 6 Workflow explores the nuts and bolts of this software with concise and thorough tutorials. Instructor Frank Rohmer covers everything from setting up a new project to working with effects and color. He walks through how to create and edit a project in Final Cut Pro 6 from beginning to end, including how to animate photos, filters, and mattes; manipulate audio features; and mix HD and SD formats. Frank also offers advanced tips and tricks that every editor should know.

In AIR Essential Training, instructor David Gassner shows how to use the Adobe Integrated Runtime (AIR) and associated development tools to create dynamic applications. David demonstrates how to build and deploy desktop applications that run equally well on Windows and Mac OS X. He covers creating applications in Flex Builder 3, Dreamweaver CS3, and Flash CS3; working with HTML and PDF documents; creating a seamless installation experience; and more. Exercise files accompany the course.

In Dreamweaver CS3 Dynamic Development , instructor David Gassner demonstrates how to use Dreamweaver CS3 to create professional, data-driven websites that are interactive and seamlessly integrated. From choosing servers and databases to installing MySQL to designing and building web-based data entry systems and displays, this training provides in-depth, hands-on guidance through the process of building strong dynamic sites. Exercise files accompany the tutorials.

Adobe Certified Instructor Todd Perkins makes ActionScript fun in ActionScript 3.0 Projects: Game Development . He explains the principles of game design and development, then shows how to overcome game-making challenges to create all kinds of games. Todd teaches developers how to deal with case sensitivity, create dynamically moving enemies, add event listeners, determine a win or loss in a game, and add additional features and artificial intelligence. Each set of tutorials covers how to build a game from scratch. Exercise files accompany the tutorials.

Presented by Don Barnett and Lynda Weinman, this workshop contains instructional movies that will help you understand the principles of typographic design. Terms are introduced such as x-height, ascenders, leading, kerning, serifs, etc. As well, timeless design principles are explored that involve composition, cadence, texture, positive and negative space, white space, balance, letter spacing, alignment, themes, patterns, grids, tangents, and more. This workshop was developed to help build an understanding of how to produce artwork and web sites that promote typographic design excellence.

Flash CS3 Animation Secrets was created and produced by Chris Georgenes. We are honored to host his material in the lynda.com Online Training Library®

Artist, web designer, and Flash expert Chris Georgenes divulges his favorite secrets for animators in Flash CS3 Animation Secrets. From customizing the workspace for better efficiency to creating flames, smoke, and steam, Chris reveals his techniques for mastering difficult effects. He also covers nesting movie clips, using sound, seamlessly looping animations, and more. Exercise files accompany the tutorials.

In AJAX Essential Training, instructor Dori Smith shows experienced web developers how to utilize AJAX to best create dynamic pages. The course covers selecting the best tools for the job (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, XML), understanding all aspects of HTTP from requests to responses, and creating dynamic forms and maps from static HTML and CSS forms and files. Dori also explains in detail how to get and use the Yahoo! UI framework. Exercise files accompany the tutorials.