Learning Flash CS4 Professional: Getting Up to Speed with Flash (Adobe Developer Library)

Learning Flash CS4 Professional offers beginners and intermediate Flash developers a unique introduction to the latest version of Adobe's powerful multimedia application. This easy-to-read book is loaded with full-color examples and hands-on tasks to help you master Flash CS4's new motion editor, integrated 3D system, and character control with the new inverse kinematics animation system. No previous Flash experience is necessary. This book will help you: Understand Flash fundamentals with clear, concise information you can use right away Learn key concepts and techniques in every chapter, with annotated screenshots and illustrations Develop an ongoing project that utilizes material from every chapter Practice new skills and test your understanding with constructive exercises Learn how to package your work for distribution on the Web and through AIR desktop applications Download sample files and discuss additional Flash features on the companion blog As part of the Adobe Developer Library, this is the most authoritative guide to Flash CS4 available. Get moving with Flash today! While this book provides its fair share of items that will bring you up to speed with the different tools, animation styles and methods for importing files I believe that there are somethings that are missing. This book should be recommended for anyone with previous Flash experience because there are some errors in the code based off of instance and movie clip names, etc., and there are some very minor, yet important steps that need to be spelled out for people that have no prior Flash experience. My honest opinion is if you have never picked up a Flash book before, pick up the Adobe Flash CS3 Professional Hands-On Training by Todd Perkins. I don't know if they have created a CS4 version but if you can get passed the fact that the interface is slightly different, this is the most thorough book I have read when it comes to everyday Flash design. This book offers beginners and intermediate Flash developers a unique introduction to the latest version of Adobe's powerful multimedia application. This easy-to-read book is loaded with full-color examples and hands-on tasks to help you master Flash CS4's new motion editor, integrated 3D system, and character control with the new inverse kinematics animation system. A guide to the fundamentals of Flash covers such topics as creating graphics, using symbols, animation, ActionScript, filters and blend modes, components, inverse kinematics, audio, video, and publishing and deploying. Interface essentials Creating graphics Using symbols Importing graphics Animation ActionsScript basics Filters and blend modes 3D Components Inverse kinematics Text Audio Video Publishing and deploying.