Reviews (13)

A great buy!
I am a self-taught novice graphic/web designer and I bought this book hoping to be able to incorperate some flash into my works. I downloaded the free 30 day trial of Flash 8 Pro and started working on this book. It worked like a charm. I am half way through the book and I already feel that I have a decent amount of knowledge in Flash.
A Wonderful Learning Tool
I was incredibly happy with Mr. Kerman's book, which, through the heavy use of tutorials, allowed me to become comfortable using Flash very quickly.
Very good book
This is my first review of any book.I felt strongly enough about this book to write up a quick review.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computer graphics    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Design    8. Internet - Web Site Design    9. Web sites    10. Computers / Computer Animation    11. Image processing    12. Multimedia   

Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books: Languages    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computers    5. Computers - Other Applications    6. Programming - General    7. Programming Languages - CGI, Javascript, Perl, VBScript    8. Programming Languages - General    9. ActionScript, Flash programming, Flex, OOP, object-oriented programming, rich application development, IDE, Macromedia, Adobe, regular expressions    10. Computers / Computer Animation    11. Computers / Other Applications    12. Computers / Programming / Object Oriented    13. Computers/Computer Graphics - General    14. Image processing: computer animation    15. Internet   

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Reviews (12)

Finally, an excellent book!
This is by far the best book I have ever bought on Dreamweaver. I am a self-learner, and I have about ten books at all levels on Dreamweaver, starting from "dummies" to "beyond". In this book, the author goes through the laborious tasks of explaining the basic concepts first, and then follows these up with one or more step-by-step tutorial. He also provides a host of appropriate tips and "notes" such as "Power Users' Clinic", "Up to Speed", etc. that are very useful to a self-learner like myself. The videos are simply outstanding.I wish that there were more videos. I assume that the author will continue writing such books. How about a Flash 8 book, David?
All that you need
~
Nice program
I haven't gotten very far into the book, but I can already tell that this manual is very comprehensive.It is simple to use and explains everything thoroughly.I noticed that even though I did free shipping, the book arrived well before the approximate arrival date it gave me, which was nice.I would reccomend this book for anyone. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authoring programs    2. Computer - Internet    3. Computer Books: Web Programming    4. Computers    5. Design    6. Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Internet - Web Site Design    9. Web site development    10. Web sites    11. Computer / Internet    12. Computers / Internet / Web Site Design    13. Dreamweaver, HTML, Web site building, Web site authoring, Web page design, Web site creation, CSS, Flash, Cascading Style Sheets, DHTML    14. Internet    15. Web publishing   

Reviews (19)

One of the best Actionscript books on the market
This is an excellent book. it takes you step by step with easy to understand language.
Physics Made Easy For Artists
This is the best computer graphics book I've ever read!It gives you just the amount of information you need to start making things move right away.Not too much theory, but enough for it to make sense.It cuts to the chase, gives you the bottom line, and each chapter even has a list of formulas at the end for easy reference.
Actionscript Animation
Great book, with a lot of information, well explained, keeping all simple, but not for newbies. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. ActionScript (Computer program language)    2. Computer Animation    3. Computer Books: Web Programming    4. Computer Graphics - Flash    5. Computers    6. Computers - Languages / Programming    7. Design    8. Internet - Web Site Design    9. Programming - General    10. Web sites    11. Image processing: computer animation   

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Reviews (37)

Use Flash? Get this book!
I surprised how much information was packed into this book. Colin really holds nothing back, but doesn't forget about the beginners in the start of the book where he explains the basics. This allows the reader to quickly move into the more advanced sections and ultimately end up with a wealth of knowledge that came from one head.

Just another book......
This book is targeted to users that are not new to programming. So, that's why I got the book since I know C++ and Java pretty well.But even if I didn't, and i knew some JavaScript (AC is JavaScript pretty much), I would also be considered as the target reader. With that said, these are my thoughts:
it's essential if you want to program flash
since actionscript 3.0 has hit the scene in flex 2.0 and flash 9 is right around the corner, i'm slightly hesitant to recommend this book today (september 2006). BUT, the book is still great and if you are serious about programming in flash, i would say that it's essential material to learn. it's not a reference (although there is a small reference in the book) and it's not about how to program animation or do "cool" things in flash. it's about how to create custom classes and how to do it properly using best practices in flash. that's pretty much it. even as AS 3.0 crawls onto the scene, this book still gives a solid foundation and, from what i know about AS 3.0 so far, nothing you learn here will hinder you as you eventually move on to AS 3.0. the next version of actionscript will simply build upon what AS 2.0 has done. if you are still writing classes the old fashioned AS 1.0 way and feel like it's time to move forward, buy this book. if you've never written classes before, in any language, this book will show you how and provide a great foundation in doing so.
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Subjects:  1. ActionScript (Computer program    2. ActionScript (Computer program language)    3. Computer Books: Languages    4. Computer animation    5. Computers    6. Computers - Languages / Programming    7. Design    8. Flash (Computer file)    9. Programming - Object Oriented Programming    10. Programming Languages - General    11. Web sites    12. ActionScript, ActionScript 2.0, Object-oriented programming, OOP, Flash, Flash MX, Flash MX 2004, Flash Pro, Flash MX Professional 2004.    13. Computers / Languages / Programming    14. Computers / Programming / General    15. Computers / Programming Languages / General    16. Computers/Programming - Object Oriented Programming    17. Multimedia   

Reviews (4)

Extremely thorough, understandable, and well-written
I am a Computer Science student and purchased this book to learn Flash for use with a project.I am very pleased-I think the book has very thorough descriptions and examples, and also offers great advice about design issues and other important considerations when developing a project.
Ok
I have not seen the other Flash Bible Books so therefore gave it a 4 star rating. Also i am a tad dissapointed, the book itself has a lot of info (which the first few chapters is basic stuff) but it also seems that this may be the same content as the other Flash Bible books. It does go over some of the new Flash 8 features like the filters, however i was hoping the book would contain the new "BitmapData" and bitmap caching but it did not. Also maybe go over the timeline effects even if it is simple to understand. Had these features been included it would have been 5 stars.

The examples alone inspire ideas.
I honestly cannot believe how much information this book has on Flash 8.I mean, when you get your book, just looking at it you can see how much information it has.This book answered all of my questions concerning flash 8, and inspired many new ideas just from the examples in the book.If you want to spend money to make money, this book is definitely where you should start. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer - Internet    2. Computer Books: Web Programming    3. Computers    4. Flash (Computer file)    5. Flash (Computer software)    6. Internet - Web Site Design    7. Computers / Internet / Web Site Design    8. Image processing    9. Multimedia   

Reviews (18)

actionscript and Math
I appreciate the book and it helps to understand how to create nice animations by using maths.
People, it's called flash math CREATIVITY
The Flash Math books are great.But not if you want an O'Reilly cookbook of answers to your design problems.It's all about inspiration.Being able to look at something and say "wow, that's so beautiful" and either need to make it yourself just on principal, or see that maybe one day you can use the idea yourself on all those practical things you're so worried about. If you get all juiced up creatively from the things you see around you, this is a perfect book.It's 4 instead of 5 because it doesn't come with a CD.But you can go to the website for the book and see things in action.
Some Assembly Required
The book is great.I find the negative reviews puzzling because this book is like a $30 kit for a working spaceship, but you have to weld the wings on yourself.Big deal.What's wanting in so many Flash books are examples of the astonishing things you can do with Flash.This book shows what can be done, then hands you the code on a platter.I guess if you're more the designer type and you want to do great stuff using the math functions in Flash, you, um, er -- need to learn some math.But don't complain that every author hasn't lined up to correct your particular brand of ignorance.Read a book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Web Programming    2. Computer Graphics - Flash    3. Computers    4. Computers - Other Applications    5. Internet - Web Site Design    6. Computers / General   

Reviews (9)

An incredible reference, but NOT for beginners.
If you have the basics of actionscript down, this book is great.I use it at least once a week for quick reference and code examples.They leave enough margin on the sides of the pages to include your own notes, and the INDEX is awesome.
+-
The Book:
Godd breadth of Actions Script Knowledge
I found all the answers I was looking for, plus lots of resources.... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. ActionScript (Computer program language)    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computer animation    6. Computers    7. Computers - Desktop Publishing    8. Design    9. Internet - Web Site Design    10. Web sites    11. Computers / Internet / Web Site Design    12. Image processing: computer animation   

Reviews (2)

More than an Actionscript introduction!
Although this book is ostensibly a "beginner" book on Flash Actionscript (no previous programming experience necessary), I got more out of this book than you can imagine, and I'm not done with it yet. I've already got a few favorite pages that I come back to again and again.
great user forums, excellent book
I spent $525 on an ActionScript class at SFSU, and I learned next to nothing. On top of that the teacher didn't like you sending him emails and asked you to save your questions for class. Fortunately for me this book has been all I really needed. I basically wasted the class tuition because this book covers ten times as much as the class did and David Powers, one of the authors of the book responds to my questions generally within 24 hours on the Friend's of Ed User Forum. Because of the forum I would say this book is invaluable. The book alone is good, but actually having one one the authors answering your questions has me give this book my highest recommendation. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. ActionScript (Computer program language)    2. Computer Books: Web Programming    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computer animation    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Design    8. Internet - Web Site Design    9. Internet - World Wide Web    10. Programming - Object Oriented Programming    11. Web sites    12. Image processing    13. Multimedia   

Editorial Review

Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX 2004 is the leading software tool for the creation of Web sites and other HTML interfaces. It's remarkably capable, able to deal intelligently with everything from fonts and images to JavaScript for client-side data validation and embedded Java applets. In most cases, Dreamweaver will save you time over hand-coding--and yield better-looking pages to boot. The program's learning curve, though, isn't trivial. That's why Read more

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Reviews (27)

Very good manual
So many software books are so confusing and difficult to understand, I really appreciateone that is clear and truly helpful, which this one is.

Fantastic
I have read this book cover to cover.You can read it in front of your computer and perform the tutorials or you can simple read an look at the illustrations.Both provide you with a very accurate experience.The online web site allows you to download all of the necessary files to perform your labs if you desire.It is simple, elegant, and well thought out book.You can't walk away from this book and not say that you did not truely learn to use Dreamweaver MX 2004. I struggled to learn this program, after reading the book, I have built several complex websites, complete with dynamic database integration.This book is that good!

The Dreamweaver Missing Manual Rocks!
I admit I'm biased because I've had Dave as a teacher and he's a great one, but his book is like his teaching -- clear, comprehensible, practical and most importantly, funny. Who wouldn't want to work on the National Exasperator pages? His tutorials are excellent, easy to use and fun. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authoring programs    2. Computer - Internet    3. Computer Books: Web Programming    4. Computers    5. Design    6. Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Dreamweaver (Computer file)    9. Internet - Web Site Design    10. Web site development    11. Web sites    12. Computer / Internet    13. Computer Software Packages    14. Computers / Internet / Web Site Design    15. Internet   

Reviews (5)

One of the better books on OOP for Flash
I think this is a beginner friendly book to learning and developing Flash 8 Object Oriented code.The book is an easy read and has a pretty good introduction to Flash.It even goes into like 4 design patterns which if you are an OOP developer is generally the next step in design and architecture.
Excellent book for beginners in OOP
I finally decided to take the plunge into OOP after I realized that is where Flash is headed.With the advent of ActionScript 3.0 around the corner (or out now if you're already dabbling in it), you just know that everything is soon going to be class based.This book is a great start to your journey, as someone who originally started to read Colin Moock's Essential ActionScript 2.0 will tell you.It is a LOT easier to read than EA2.0 as I'm not well versed on theory nor do I, at least at this point, really care that much about it.I'm one of those people who want to dive in and learn the syntax/usage, and then I'd like to figure out where it all stems from, not the other way around as it just makes it harder for me to learn that way.
Take your Flash developing to the next level!
Before reading this book I thought that OOP meant writing a class and applying it to as many objects as I wanted. Was I ever wrong! This book not only gives you thorough explanations of what OOP is, it also provides detailed explanations on why you should use it. It's hard to explain the misconceptions that many people can pick up by trying to learn OOP by reading random articles around the web. This gently leads you through all the elements of OOP and clears up any of the misconceptions you may have previously had. It even teaches you programming techniques and design patterns such as how to separate the data and control from the style as well as how to manage multiple styles, colors, sounds, etc. with one class and dynamically apply them to whatever objects you want.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Web Programming    2. Computer Graphics - Flash    3. Computers    4. Computers - Desktop Publishing    5. Flash (Computer file)    6. Flash (Computer software)    7. Internet - Web Site Design    8. Internet - World Wide Web    9. Programming - Object Oriented Programming    10. Image processing    11. Multimedia   

Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computers    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Internet - Web Site Design    7. Computers / Computer Animation    8. Image processing    9. Multimedia   

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Reviews (46)

Simply the best!
I can keep this review real short.. this book still applies even in Flash 8. It has great concepts, holds nothing back and exposes the reader to the intense power and capabilities of Flash.
The Source for Actionscript
This book has just about everything I could have ever wanted in an Actionscript book.It covers the ins and outs and tiny details overlooked by so many other `quick tutorial' type books.This book is touted as the primary source for learning Actionscript and undoubtedly it is.You really need to get a good handle on movieclips, levels, timelines, depths, and classes so you're not banging your head later or chasing your tail for hours asking yourself, "What is going on here? This Flash Actionscript is really doing odd things with my movieclips (objects), none of which I expected to happen."Moock dispels all uncertainty about Actionscript with Flash.
This book is by far the best book on AS!
I have many many books on both AS and Flash and this book is by far the most informative, well written and most comprehensive book on ActionScript for beginning to intermediate developers that I have found. Colin Moock clearly knows his stuff and he has a teaching style that is rare with authors this day and age. It is very clear that Mr. Moock loves what he is doing because his love for AS gleems through the perfectly written tutorials of this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computers    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Programming - General    7. Programming Languages - General    8. ActionScript (Computer program language)    9. Computer graphics    10. Computers / Computer Animation    11. Computers / Computer Graphics / General    12. Computers / Desktop Publishing    13. Computers/Computer Animation    14. Computers/Programming Languages - General    15. Design    16. Flash, MX, programming, ActionScript    17. Interactive multimedia    18. Internet languages    19. Multimedia    20. Multimedia systems    21. Web sites   

Reviews (12)

A Great Book and I'm Not Crying Wolf
I purchased this title as a supplemental text for a Master's course I was taking in Advanced Graphics and Multimedia.It was the most practical resource I had available to me.
A must in every sense
If you're new to flash or you know the basics, this is the right book for you. Covers any possibility and guides you step by step even before you can touch a computer! The first chapters explains how Flash works, just as any other flash book, but also explains all the differences using flash for animation instead of web design, and contains an useful description about how you can optimize and reduce your files size for optimum performance, and more important, the differences between TV and video output and web animation file sizes, frame rates and screen proportions. This part often is not included in most flash books and it's essential for ambitious proyects.
Very good!
This one is good, full of explanations and step by step instructions on how to get the desired results. I am a fan of FOED books and along with their Foundation titles this one really shines! Recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computer Graphics - General    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing - General    8. Internet - Web Site Design    9. Computers / Computer Graphics / General   

Reviews (2)

ActionScript Components: One of the best tech books I have seen
I don't know Antonio De Donatis, but I wish I did.
Well worth it!!
As a java coder who has recently been writing Flash/Flex for rich database-driven UI products, this book has been a huge help. My understanding of the best way to use inheritance and the component architecture has improved a ton with this book. And the section on skinning has helped alot since the UI guys just give me pretty mockups, and then i need to actually make them look and work that way.
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Subjects:  1. ActionScript (Computer program language)    2. Computer Books: Web Programming    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computer animation    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Design    8. Internet - Web Site Design    9. Web sites    10. Image processing    11. Multimedia   

Reviews (19)

Great!
This book is perfect for the transformation from beginning to intermediate. The tutorials are incredibly thorough plus it guides you through making a whole web site with the most practical functions. I highly recommend this book. I wish they would make more!

Good tutorial book on Flash
This is the first book on Flash and this is the first time I am learning Flash MX2004 Pro. So far I have gone through almost a half of the book and I am very pleased with how this book is structured and its CD which contains the project files as I am learning this program with this book. For any beginner, I feel this book will help get you started on learning and using Flash MX2004. I purchased this book's sister edition "Beyound the Basics" so that I can go one step further after I complete this book.

Good Intermediate Book, But Only Worth 3 Stars if You Can Program
Basically, this is a good book to get you from the initial HOT book on Flash to the more advanced tutorials found on the Macromedia Exchange site.The introduction to LoadVars and LoadMovieClip alone are worth the price of the book.
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Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computers    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Design    7. Multi-Media Hardware & Software    8. Multimedia systems    9. Web sites    10. Computer graphics software    11. Computers / Computer Animation    12. Multimedia   

Reviews (13)

Newbie thoughts on Flash@Work
Although I was new to the world of actionscripting when I purchased and read Flash@Work for the first time, I rather enjoyed the read and its logical approach to scripting.In particular it gave me a solid starting point regarding how to plan and build real world projects which I am still learning.Flash@Work introduced me to the concept of modular design and beginning with the end in mind which is invaluable with flash projects.Overall, I recommend Flash@Work however, I suggest you pick a primer on actionscript first before digging into this book.Concepts and project are well explained and most importantly projects are practical in scope.

Zero to Sixty in no time
If you are looking for a book that provides easy to customize Flash solutions, this is it.
If you are serious
If you are interested in creating a professional quality web site(s) with Flash 8, get a grip on yourself and understand it is not simple. Flash 8 is an intense program for serious people. This book is a great start, in what will be a long road of learning. If you are a beginner and want to learn "programming" the first 2/3 of his book "ActionScripting in Flash MX" will get you going. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books: General    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computers    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Flash (Computer file)    7. Flash (Computer software)    8. Internet - Web Site Design    9. Computers / Computer Animation    10. Image processing    11. Multimedia   

Reviews (16)

Great starter but a little thin
This VQS book gives a great high-level of a broad spectrum of functionality of Flash but does not go into much detail. Good starter book.

A good place to start
Adobe and Macromedia both write excellent software but both have two things in common - the lack of being user friendly and intuitive.
Great Experience
This book arrived on a timely manner and in real good condition. It was exactly what they said it would be in their description. Wouldn't mind doing business with them again in the future! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Apple And Macintosh Graphics And Sound    2. Computer Animation    3. Computer Books: Operating Systems    4. Computer Graphics - Flash    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Design    8. Desktop Publishing - General    9. Flash (Computer file)    10. Multimedia    11. Operating Systems - Macintosh    12. Operating Systems - Windows    13. Web sites    14. Computers / Computer Animation    15. Internet languages    16. Macintosh   

Subjects:  1. Computer Animation    2. Computer Books: Languages    3. Computer Graphics - Flash    4. Computers    5. Computers - Desktop Publishing    6. Internet - Web Site Design    7. Programming Languages - General    8. Computers / Computer Animation    9. Image processing    10. Multimedia   

Reviews (71)

The Best Book to Learn Actionscript!
Before I bought this book, I only know a little about programming and knew only the basic stuff in Flash: tweening, point a to b animation, etc. Wanting to go to the next level, I bought this book. I never look back since. What makes this book perfect to learn actionscript, in my opinion, is that every line of code is always explained clearly and thoroughly in lay man's term. This book is written in such a way that as if the author's are there with you. By the time you finish reading this book, you'll be more than ready to make your own applications.

Finally a Developer who can teach!
I do a lot of advanced ActionScripting and development, but I have had a lot of holes missing and things that I did not quite understand.This book fills in the gaps that are left out with other Flash books.This book explains the process and programming in a complete and easy to understand fashion.This books shows and explains the how and the why. A very useful book
I found this book to be very helpful. It breaks Actionscripting down into easily digestible chunks and leads you through the learning process step by step. The lessons are clearly and entertainingly written and the humour is an unexpected bonus. I found it especially helpful that the book gives a detailed description of what each element in a script does. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Authoring programs    2. Computer Animation    3. Computer Books: General    4. Computer Graphics - Flash    5. Computers    6. Computers - Desktop Publishing    7. Desktop Publishing    8. Electronic Publishing    9. Interactive & Multimedia    10. Interactive multimedia    11. Multi-Media Hardware & Software    12. Web sites    13. Computer graphics software    14. Computers / Electronic Publishing    15. Multimedia