Flash Actionscript F/X and Design [Paperback]

Bill Sanders (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 26, 2000 | Series: F/X and Design

ActionScript for Flash( 5 is a quantum leap from previous versions of this scripting language for Flash. Using ActionScript the Flash 5 developer can add interactive functionality like never before, and this book explains and shows (with plenty of projects and examples) how to get the most out of Flash 5 using AcitonScript. The book covers all major concepts in ActionScript for Flash 5 including the actions (statements), operators (which have changed significantly from previous versions), functions (including user-funcitons), properties, and the many new objects and their methods. Ten chapters lead the reader through all the elements of the new ActionScript, and an Example Glossary provides a quick lookup with an example script for all of the many actions, operators, functions, and properties. The book's CD-ROM includes the source files (FLA) and the SWF files so that the reader can both examine the coding for all the projects and run them. Flash 5 trial software is included as well so that the rea

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

ActionScripting in a Flash movie can mean the difference between a simple animation and a fully interactive game or interface. If you have used Flash 4 or 5's basic actions and now feel ready to expand your arsenal of coding, this would be the book for you. This conversational collection of tutorials and .fla walk-throughs is particularly suited to Web developers who come from a visual rather than a programming background. Flash fans fluent in C++, or even just JavaScript, may find it too elementary and slow-paced.

However, it is just those qualities that make Flash ActionScript F/X and Design an ideal starting point for script-wary Web designers. Author Sanders is a college professor, and his text has just the right amount of guidance to simulate a one-on-one with an experienced teacher. The many projects and miniprojects ("learning utilities"), all of which are provided on the companion CD-ROM, reflect lessons that range from working with conditionals and operators, handling events, and calling functions to passing data among ActionScript, JavaScript, and HTML. These projects take the form of a quotation guessing game, a drag-and-drop shopping cart, and an interactive cartoon by renowned retro font designer and cartoonist (and Betty Boop expert) Leslie Carbarga. Each project provides a good launching point for applying what's covered in the text.

Caveats: If you are completely new to Flash, this book will be too fast for you. It's also not quite a good fit for Flash-experienced users who are pressed for time and need a quick reference, although it does include a nice glossary of actions, operators, functions, and properties. It's also important to note that XML is outside the scope of this book. However, as an introduction to OOP (object-oriented programming) in general and Flash 5 ActionScripting in particular, this is an excellent choice. --Angelynn Grant

About the Author

Bill Sanders is an experienced script and program developer in various languages and platforms including HyperCard script, Lingo, JavaScript, and ActionScript. He is a professor at the University of Hartford in the Interactive Information Technology program where he works with students who are preparing for careers in the wired and wireless environment of the Internet and World Wide Web. Bill is working on a project that explores online learning practices and how Flash has enabled students to learn with interactive media. Bill has written numerous books including Flash 5 f/x & Design, Flash ActionScript f/x & Design, and JavaScript Design (New Riders).

Product Details

• Paperback: 344 pages
• Publisher: Coriolis Group Books; First Edition edition (October 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 157610821X
• ISBN-13: 978-1576108215
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (27 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,656,256 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You will really learn ActionScript, December 2, 2000

By 

DJ (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flash Actionscript F/X and Design (Paperback)

I'm a designer/developer and I've been putting off learning ActionScript--until now! I have never seen a book that is so clear, understands what I need so well and carefully explains and illustrates everything. I have used Flash professionally, but sooner or later I needed to learn ActionScript, and I'm glad I waited until Flash 5. What little ActionScript I used (goto and play/stop was about it) gave me far more flexibility and control than I had using Flash without ActionScript.

The back of the book says it's for Intermediate and Advanced users, and I suppose it is. However, if you're new to ActionScript but have experience with Flash you'll love this book. Each of the projects and examples is very carefully crafted down to the color schemes. The author integrates ActionScript into the examples and projects rather than just laying out the ActionScript in ways that I would not use it in the real world. The author explains the concepts but he never talked down to me (as a reader) and all of the parts come together. In going through the examples, I not only learned how to use ActionScript effectively, I learned a lot of new Flash 5 tricks. My programmer friends (who keep borrowing it) and I both like the Example Glossary in the back where I can look up stuff quickly. It's great for reminding me about the exact format of the different actions and I don't have to re-read entire sections to be reminded that I need a double equal (==) when I use conditional statements. (I'm even talking like one of THEM now.)

I ran into a little trouble in Chapter 2, and I fired off a very nasty email to the author. He responded almost immediately, sorted out my question and didn't mention the fact that I acted like a jerk in my email. He was extremely helpful and even sent me an extra FLA to play with. After getting the hang of things, I've been having a lot of fun with AcitonScript, and not just using the examples. I really have learned how to use ActionScript, and the book still has a lot more for me. So if you want a carefully crafted, thoughtful, well written book on AcitonScirpt and not some computer science tome, get this book, learn ActionScript and a lot of added Flash 5 material to boot.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Uncovers some of the mystery with ActionScript, December 4, 2000

By 

Water Monkey "Marc B." (Santa Clarita, Ca.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flash Actionscript F/X and Design (Paperback)

I got this book about a week ago and I must say it has cleared up many questions I had about ActionScript. If you are questioning whether this book is right for you, you just need to answer the question; Do you want to be an intermediate Flash developer or an advanced Flash developer? Anyone wanting to be a the top of Flash development will realize the need to understand ActionScripting.

The book tries to explain how you can write scripts that increase interactivity for your users. The book covers everything from Variables and Data Types, to Conditionals and Loops, to Built In Objects and XML Objects.

If this book falls short anywhere its that it could be longer. At barely 300 pages the author tries to be too brief in explaining a subject that could occupy a book twice this size.

The fact that you won't find any other books that cover ActionScripting as well as this book is why I would advise purchasing it now. You could wait until late Jan/Feb 2001 and see if "Flash 5 Magic ActionScript" will be better, but that was a chance I was not willing to take.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Overview of Actionscripting, November 9, 2000

By 

"lozboston" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flash Actionscript F/X and Design (Paperback)

This book presents a comprehensive overview of Flash 5 actionscripting. The author uses language that is easy to follow (great for the non-developer types like me) and keeps each lesson interesting. I would recommend this book to anyone new to actionscripting, looking to sharpen their actionscripting skills, or making the transition from Flash 4 to Flash 5.