Sams Teach Yourself Macromedia Flash 8 in 24 Hours (Paperback)

by Phillip Kerman (Author) "Macromedia is not exaggerating when it says that Flash is "the professional standard for producing high-impact web experiences..." (more)
Key Phrases: questions before checking the answers, authortime sharing, nested clip, Try It Yourself, File Edit View Insert, Flash Professional (more...)

Product Details

• Paperback: 624 pages
• Publisher: Sams; 3rd edition (October 10, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0672327546
• ISBN-13: 978-0672327544
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.9 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #212,249 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I've been a professional programmer for over 30 years, and I loved it, May 12, 2006

By	Caribbeing (Ann Arbor, MI) - See all my reviews

I probably have a different background than most readers of this book, because I'm a professional web developer. However, on-line banking doesn't require Flash, so I had never developed with it. But now I want to write some web games, and this book gave me all of the groundwork I needed to start working in Flash.

The learning curve for Flash's design tools was the toughest part for me, and the start of this book covers it perfectly. I understood the timeline, layers, keyframes, and all the rest through his clear explanations. The Flash interface is definitely unique, so the explanations made a lot of things clear that otherwise would not have been.

The programming side of Flash seems to give many people trouble, but that was the easiest for me. Either way, his chapters about Actionscript are clear, simple but not simple-minded, and paced properly.

On top of all that, he answers his e-mail promptly.

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very good book, August 2, 2006

By	Kevin Stanton (Tualatin, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is my first review of any book. I felt strongly enough about this book to write up a quick review.

I'm a software developer by trade, not really a web developer (so far). I've started down the Flash road a couple of times and have never really done anything with it. Until now. My customer had a need for a flash movie clip so I bought Phillip's book after reading the reviews and they are right on.

I does take a bit more than 24 hours and I'm only on hour 15, but I'm comfortable enough to get done what I need to. This is a great book to get the basics down as well as learn a few of the millions of tricks you can do with Flash. Very well structured - logical and clear, at least to me.

Flash is a very complex program and complex to navigate if you've never seen it before. Phillip does an outstanding job all the way around.

Also, I had a question after publishing my moving and Phillip returned the email within 30 minutes. Awesome!

Needless to say, I highly recommend this book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better Than Its Title, March 9, 2007

By	Andrew Starks (Bloomington, Minnesota) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I got this book in spite of the "...in 24 Hours" claim in its title... I just hate gimmicks. I'm very glad that I got over my distaste, because the first chapters were the most instructive introductory chapters that I have ever read and the rest of the book did not disappoint either.

Flash is unlike any other media creation tool and it requires a re-education that many content developers find challenging--much like an airplane pilot learning to fly a helicopter. What makes Flash in 24 Hours so special is that it not only teaches you how to use the software, but it also succeeds in teaching you "The Flash Way". You will find multiple "A-HA" moments where you'll set the book a side to extend on an example you just read.

If you are like me, you will be so caught up in the feeling of quick success that this book gives you that you will be tempted to complete the entire 24-hour process in one sitting.

This is the first book that I would recommend to anyone wanting to learn, and understand, Flash.

One warning though:

This book is not very deep. It touches on Action Script and some of the more advanced corners of Flash, but it will not help you build the next online store application or the next Home Star Runner web site. It's an introductory book that should be purchased along with a more specialized book that covers the particular needs that lead you to Flash in the first place.