Customer Reviews

Macromedia Flash MX Designer's ActionScript Reference

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have longed for a total resource like this, for about two years. I thought the Moock book went part of the way but it was from a Javascript perspective and it was kinda feeble as a reference. But this book takes you all the way man and then some.

I thought Actionscript grew up a good load richer with MX, but somehow and amazingly Macromedia chose not to print the Actionscript reference like they used to with Flash 5 and I really missed that. This book supplies it in a really expanded, totally comprehensive form. And not just the reference, but you also get a 400 page section on what Actionscirpt is really all about (like, it's not just Javascript for vector-dogs) covering just about every question on the detail of working with Actionscript, simple, serious, and some scary. And what's best, in language I can make sense of, because I'm a designer and I'm smart differently from back-end developers. For me coding is for real, it's about what I can see and make move.

But that's not ALL you get, oh no. You then get the CD-ROM version of the dictionary, which in itself is something to amaze. Not just explanations of every element of Actionscript, but also real, worked FLAs and SWFs to illustrate the code in action.

For $... I don't get it. I worked in technical books in Oz and I can't think how we'd have done 1200 pages at that price. How are Sham and Glen and Jen and Tim and Scott getting paid out of that? Not to mention the guy who made the ace CD, I hope they get a fair shake.

It would be awesome as just a labor o' love. A thing of beauty is a joy forever and you just made one guys.

I thought this would be a reference. Well guess what, I was wrong. This is a reference in the back half, but a How-To in the front half. I'd say, skip every other ActionScript book till you buy this one. If I'd known this would have tutorials in the first half (yes the first 400 or so pages are tutorials), I wouldn't have bought some of the other ones I have. Combined with the CD content, this book is a great first book for the intermediate animator moving into scripting. And, it will stay usefull for as long as you are using Flash MX. Between this book and the O'Reilly book "ActionScript for Flash MX: The Definitive Guide, Second Edition" by Colin Moock, you'll have all you really need. Then you can buy the specialized stuff on games or UI or whatever.

Every now and then a book comes out that you've just got to have. If you're a flash person then this is one of those MUST HAVE BOOKS. For a start it's NOT that expensive (US$[money] rrp), secondly it's 1000+ pages of PURE reference.

Flash MX has moved leaps and bounds in the sense of just what can be done with the Action Scripting engine inside. However as many people have noted and complained Macromedia failed to ship a printed Action Script dictionary with it. This book steps up to that mark - not just with a list of the commands, but in depth explanations of them.

Loved it ... I use this book over and over and over. The only thing .. it's HUGE. I'm considering "snapping" the spine and getting the 2 halves bound ... one containing the AS Dictionary the other the first half of the book

Wow! This book is so completely thorough, it's amazing. Anything you want to know, from simple to advanced, is covered in detail in this book. It's 1100 pages, and all of that is quality content. The dictionary section alone is worth having by your side for every purpose, and it's more than 500 pages in length.

The examples are all contained on a really cool CD, and the nice thing is, the book is designed for designers to completely pick up and learn or refer, yet it teaches the advanced topics in a totally intuitive way. I think this is the new desktop reference.

It seems that if you want a book that will take you from square 1 to square to... I don't know... square PI that you have to buy a cinder block of a book. I was somewhat skeptical about this book when I first opened the cover but quickly noticed the difference between this book and the other book written by Friends of Ed. This book was not written to cater to lowest common denominator. It was written for the person looking to get as much as humanly possible in order to integrate into their own styles.

The dictionary is worth its weight in gold and I can't say enough about it.

Yes, the size is a little unorthodox, I'll admit, but you can't get this kind of "in your face" information in any other books, including any of the other Friends of Ed books. No more silly references or personal sob stories about "When I was working as a designer full time" [stuff]. This book was written by professionals looking to make more professionals in the field, kudos to them for a superb job on this one. I'll have this book on my desk for as long as I use Flash MX.

Keep in mind that this book was not written for the novice Flash designer. There are numerous (and I mean a bunch) of books that can get you up to speed to allow you to fully enjoy this book in all it's splendor. I own several books on Flash 5 and MX, including several from Friends of Ed, and this is by far my favorite one.

I give it three thumbs up, 6 stars and a bag of chips for these guys.

I've read a number of flash MX manuals and this one is the best of them all. I learned a lot I hadn't known, and have found the reference section invaluable. It stays right by my feet in my office for quick perusal and reference. (There's no room at all on my desk.) This is the one to buy.

5 stars if you know Flash well.
1 star if you haven't had any experience with it at all.

I was a beginner once, who couldn't figure out Flash at all. I'd like to help you build a bridge between where you may be now, as a beginner, to where you may find yourself aspiring to go.

If your only experience with Flash is to have seen the many wonderful and breathtaking Flash movies on the Internet and just had a look at the authoring tool, I strongly recommend that you leave this book until much later. It has its place in the learning curve but it isn't, in my opinion, the first book to see.

There are understandings to possess that this book doesn't cover sufficiently well enough for those whose minds work in particular ways. This is a programming book, for using the phenomenon of programming to create great design and animations. Whilst the focus is on design, you aren't using the design tools on the interface. With this book, you are using the Actionscript language and you have to have a logical mind for this activity (as well as keeping your strong creative one).

I began my steep learning curve with Flash by watching others and watching video tutorials, especially those by George Pierson. In this way, I can ask questions that are tailored for me and I get tailored responses. Books aren't always able to do so well here.

What is great about this book is the MX Actionscript reference in it and the seemingly well designed theory tutorials. I can't find a fault with the reference. The theory is quite good. In the reference, all Flash MX commands are covered. There are examples of how to use them, but the coverage may not be enough for some. Brill. Just BRILL. I can be excited but because I can follow Actionscript.

Approach this book when you are successfully making Flash movies on your own. Yes, on your own. For me, this book is an aid for when I am going to where I haven't gone to before. It helps me make judgements on ideas I get.

I started with Macromedia's Flash MX ActionScripting Advanced and I learned a lot. However, it does not contain a complete dictionary. I bought John Davey's book and in addition to the complete dictionary in the book, it is also on the CD. I keep the online version loaded when programming Flash. Furthermore, the 400+ pages of tutorials, are simple, plentiful, and each one illustrates one learning objective. Both books are good, but this one is better.

Very very nice book. Thank you again Sham. It has more detail than any other. It is incredibile useful to me already in one week.

But it is heavy. Very heavy even for my desk. It might be better to print this on thinner papel.

Learn the basics; then practice what you have learned until you develop your unique style. Then pick up this book and take your flash movies to the next level.
Very good and clear explanations for learning action script. I picked this over Macromedia's advanced action scripting because the writing style is more my speed. I'm not a programmer and things are explained in a way where you understand and can apply and achieve results which gradually turn you into an actionscripter.
I'm a quarter of a way into the book; still practicing and developing my basic flash skills between three other books. You only need one for actionscripting and this is it![.]