About.com Rating

The Bottom Line

Director is still a powerful tool for professional multimedia developers. It extends the Flash capabilities beyond the Web to CDs DVDs, eLearning and more.



Pros

• Uses JavaScript as well as Lingo
• Incorporates DVD-video into movies
• Better integration with Flash and Fireworks

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Pricey

Description

• You can now use JavaScript syntax as well as Lingo to create your interactivity.

• DVD video can be added to play back and embed in your movies.
• Workflow makes it easy to organize and handle projects.
• Workspace management features allow you to create the workspace that works for you.
• The Flash integration is great - makes it easy to use both programs for maximum efficiency.
• Docing Movie in a Window (MIAW) is really nice.

Guide Review - Macromedia Director MX 2004

I like this new version of Director. The added functionality of JavaScript for the scripting as well as Lingo makes it easy for professionals from a Web background to get started fairly quickly. But don't get me wrong, this is still a very complicated and challenging program to learn for the beginner - that hasn't changed. The integration with Flash and Fireworks has been improved and is really helpful. If you're a Flash developer you can now move your movies onto other formats than just the Web. When you embed a Flash movie in Director, you can quickly edit that movie in Flash and then move back to Director. The handling of various file formats is great.

I couldn't get a movie file to load in a competitor's program - and it loaded without issue in Director. The same is true with Fireworks elements. If you are upgrading from a previous version of Director, this is a good time to upgrade. The integration and management features are really helpful. The biggest issue that many other reviewers have listed is the price. But, this is a huge, very powerful piece of software, and the price seems reasonable to me. If you're a professional Web designer, Flash developer, or multimedia developer, you should get Director.