Bruce Von Stiers

Macromedia has rolled out new versions of their staple software programs. One of these programs is Flash MX. This program has its own programming language called ActionScript. Knowing that people might need some more instruction than what was contained in the user’s manual, the folks at the Macromedia Press arm of the company put out a book for advanced users. The book is called Macromedia Flash MX ActionScripting Advanced Training From The Source. It was written by Derek Franklin and Jobe Makar. It was released by Peachpit Press.

The book is set up into seventeen separate lessons. These lessons range from an introduction to the programming language all the way up to writing scripts that include sound and external video clips. There are 606 pages in the book. It also comes with a CD will work hand in hand with the lessons from the book.

The lessons are laid out so that each one has an introduction as to what you will be learning. You will be told an approximate time table to complete the lesson. And you will get a list of source material to work from. Throughout each lesson there will be Tip and Note segments for extra important information that authors feel you should know about. The type for the book is set in black ink, but the section headings and the example code used for the lessons is in blue ink.

Lesson 1 introduces the reader to Flash MX. In this lesson you are expected to learn the benefits of using Flash MX. You will be shown some of the elements that make us a Flash MX ActionScript. You will be assigned a project to begin and you will write your first ActionScript. Then, when everything is done, you have to test out your ActionScript to make sure it works. Lesson 1 also takes you through the thought and planning process of making a Flash MX movie using an ActionScript. The lesson asks questions like What Do You Want To Occur and What Event Will Trigger The Main Script? The authors provide a rough, hand drawn sketch of the main window that users will see in the Flash movie that you will create.

Lesson 2 is called Using Event Handlers. You will learn what event handlers are and how they are used in ActionScript. The authors use an analogy of a person touching an ice cube to a user pressing an onscreen button. This done with an event handler called on (press). This event is followed by at least one other event to make something occur in the Flash MX movie. This lesson will also show how to add keyboard controls to a project. You will also learn about something called a Listener that triggers an event when assigned to another event handler.

The third lesson shows how to work with absolute and relative target paths. You will learn about movie timelines and how to control specific ones. Learn about movie levels and how to set global preferences for you movie elements. The authors give you about an hour and a half to complete this lesson. The fourth lesson takes you through what Objects are and how they are used in an ActionScript. You will find out about the Color object and how it is used to trigger a change in the movie clip. The book uses the example of a movie clip called Shirt that changes color using the Color object.

Lesson 5 is Using Functions. Here you will learn about what a function does and how to implement one in your ActionScript. As a matter of practicality, a function can save a lot of program writing or copying of code by referencing an action that was specified in a different part of the script. This lesson will have you create a function that provides a specific. In Lesson 6, the book takes you through customizing and enhancing objects. You will learn what a Custom Class is and how to use it.

Lesson 7 is about arrays and variables. These items are essential parts of an extended ActionScript. In this lesson you will learn what they are and how to write the coding to make them work within your ActionScript.

Later lessons deal with things like manipulating data, using program loops to automate scripts and using XML with Flash. A lesson at the end of the book shows how to control sounds within your Flash movie. The last lesson shows how to load external objects like Jpeg files into your Flash movie.

For people who are really wanting to learn ActionScript, this book could prove to be an invaluable tool. It takes you through a lot of things that can be done with ActionScript and shows you how to write the script that makes it happen. The book assumes that you have a working knowledge of Flash MX and can navigate within the Stage and Timeline areas of the program. The keyword from the book title is “Advanced” so some of the more basic elements are covered briefly so that we get into the meat and potatoes of learning ActionScript fairly quickly. The authors don’t get overly technical so even I was able to follow the lessons.

Macromedia Flash MX ActionScripting Advanced Training From The Source can be found at most major book retailers that have a section on Flash. The list price is $ 44.99 U.S.

For other information about this title, visit the Peachpit Press web site at www.peachpit.com or Macromedia at www.macromedia.com.