|
|
Message from Dean - May 8th 2007
I am currently testing out a new version of the APF Bridge Component - If you notice any errors within this demo store please drop me a line.
Rating:  -
THIS IS THE AS3 BOOK TO GET, if you're a Flash Designer wanting to learn Action Script 3. I bet I probably bought most all the AS3 books, trying to get a clear understanding of the many differences between AS2 and AS3. Most of these books take for granted that you must already be an Action Script expert or be familiar with other scripting languages. But with this book, "Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner's Guide", this is the one where light-bulb finally went off in my head. As I read through it, I literally kept saying out load, "Oh!". The author has included lots of examples, diagrams, and clear explanations for the non-computer science major. I was as a graphic design major and later a film major in college and have found Flash to be a kind of mash-up of the two. Learning Action Script has given my Flash projects a real boost (as well as my career). Now I develop rich multimedia presentations and enterprise level video applications.
Learning AS3 is critical to advancing your Flash projects and your career. Unfortunately, the evolution of Action Script from AS1 to AS2 and now to AS3 has meant having to unlearn and completely re-think the way we develop and code projects. This book has been so very helpful in getting me quickly up and going with AS3. If you're just starting to learn Action Script or if you're trying to make the jump from AS2 to AS3 like I was, this is the book to get.
Rating: -
This is the essential first step in learning ActionSrcipt 3. It's the 'Ahaa!' book that helps you clearly 'get it'. If you feel that AS3 is a daunting undertaking you will see, from the outset of the first few chapters, that it isn't.
The writing is clear and concise. It does not read as if it were a cold distant a manual. You feel as though the information is being explained to you in a respectful direct manner. If you read Learning ActionScript 3 from beginning to end, you will understand the structure and purpose of this versatile creative language.
Whether you are a visual Flash Designer who just wants to get a basic grasp of scripting or a budding developer or a seasoned AS2 developer looking to master AS3 - you MUST get this book.
Rating:  -
Great book! I've already learned quite a bit from it. The only issue I've had so far is in the "pause/resume sound" part of the book. I couldn't get the code to work after several attempts. So I had to turn to another source. But all in all, GREAT!
Rating: -
I had never coded any AS3 before and the AS2 I had coded was extremely elementary(gotoAndPlay, gotoAndStop, etc.) I really wanted to learn AS3 but "Essential Actionscript 3" was a little too intimidating. I bought this book and have been happy with it.
The book is not perfect. The editing is occasionally sloppy. I have had problems with some of the example code and sometimes the author doesn't explain things in a way that are appropriate for an absolute beginner(even right at the beginning of the book) Despite its problems, the book works. I now feel like I have a fairly good grasp on AS3 and have moved onto "Essential AS3" by Moock. One of the strengths of this book is all the examples. It is really a "learn by doing" book.
This book is a good way to get your feet wet, but I would not use it as and end-all be-all reference work that has the final say on the best ways of doing things. Think of it more like a stepping stone to more advanced books.
If you start this book and are feeling frustrated, just keep at it. I felt that way when I started. Don't rush, and try out all the examples by typing them into Flash yourself.
Rating: -
It has taken me six months to understand ActionScript and now it is so much clearer. The way the authors explain it is great. Finally, someone explains it to where I understand what they are saying. I have six books on ActionScript and this is by far my best investment yet.
|
Amazon Store