Very general question about flash/3d websites

[Steve_B]

Ive been meaning to get into 3D/Flash integration, but I have no idea where to start. I have experience of 3Ds Max in the past, and have been using flash for a few years...

I found this site today: http://www.toastconcept.com/ and another good one: http://www.ffk-wilkinson.com/

I cant work out how this is done (and where I should start to learn making things like this). Would this site be made in a 3D program such as Max, and then exported as frames for flash? or are the elements brought into flash and manipulated in the flash environment? or something completely different.

Is there anything special about Swift3D, vs Max/Maya etc?

All help appreciated, this is a wide subject and I have no idea where to start. Book/Reading recommendations also would be great!

steve_b

[barjas]

first rule in 3D :
3 is just 2 +1

those websites are results of of 3D application and actionscripting. part is done using some 3d application and a movieclip is imported to the flash then scripting start from there.

Flash is a 2D system (x,y) and doesnt have the concept of 3D (x,y,z), so developers emulate 3D by playing around with a third "imaginary" variable (z), to effect the change in the values of the "real" display variables (x,y).
and use some MATH functions (sin, cos,..etc) to do that. (some math knowlage will be a great help)

anyway, i dont know if this will help, but http://www.gotoandlearn.com/ has some free videos for creating some 3D animation.