In this book, authors Rich Shupe and Zevan Rosser share the knowledge they've gained from their years as multimedia developers/designers and teachers. Learning ActionScript 3.0 gives you a solid foundation in the language of Flash and demonstrates how you can use it for practical, everyday projects. The authors do more than just give you a collection of sample scripts. Written for those of you new to ActionScript 3.0, the book describes how ActionScript and Flash work, giving you a clear look into essential topics such as logic, event handling, displaying content, migrating legacy projects to ActionScript 3.0, classes, and much more. You will learn important techniques through hands-on exercises, and then build on those skills as chapters progress. ActionScript 3.0 represents a significant change for many Flash users, and a steeper learning curve for the uninitiated. This book will help guide you through a variety of scripting scenarios. Rather than relying heavily on prior knowledge of object-oriented programming (OOP), topics are explained in focused examples that originate in the timeline, with optional companion classes for those already comfortable with their use. As chapters progress, the book introduces more and more OOP techniques, allowing you to choose which scripting approach you prefer. Learning ActionScript 3.0 reveals:

• New ways to harness the power and performance of AS3

• Common mistakes that people make with the language

• Essential coverage of text, sound, video, XML, drawing with code, and more

• Migration issues from AS1 and AS2 to AS3

• Simultaneous development of procedural and object-oriented techniques

• Tips that go beyond simple script collections, including how to approach a project and which resources can help you along the way

The companion web site contains material for all the exercises in the book, as well as short quizzes to make sure you're up to speed with key concepts. ActionScript 3.0 is a different animal from previous versions, and Learning ActionScript 3.0 teaches everything that web designers, GUI-based Flash developers, and those new to ActionScript need to start using the language.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 61 Ratings

Positive review from a beginner in AS3 - 2009-10-15
Reviewer Rating:
I'm about 1/4 through this book. It's my first exposure to ActionScript. The book seems well thought out and covers basics that I never knew.

Excellent book -- get it! - 2009-10-08
Reviewer Rating:
I've done tons of AS2, but I've been struggling with AS3 for a long time. This book is great and is helping me finally figure out how AS3 works. Highly recommended!

Learned Flash, Now I'm Going to Learn ActionScript - 2009-07-16
Reviewer Rating:
It is so important that people find the right book for them. I am a real "learn by doing" kind of gal. Good at everything and master of nothing - I dabble. I am building my company an intranet, I make marketing materials (from our branding guidelines) using Photoshop, I might learn 3D modeling/BIM. So when it was time to suggest that we wow a tech-savvy client with an e-brochure, I told them I could get it done in 2 weeks, with absolutely no Flash experience.

Crap - I committed to something I don't know how to do. What did I do? I did what I always do - I bought a book! I made a whole stack at the bookstore, and sat in the cafe in the store looking through all of them to make sure I got the best book - the one that would make me successful. Some were very high-tech, one looked like greek, one was too cartoony and silly, and then Rich Shupe's book "Learning Flash CS4", the companion book to "Learning ActionsScript 3.0", just stood out. His tone was calm, the instructions were basic, and it included a book-long project with several major Flash components like embedded movie clips, kinematics, sound with controls, tweening. Pretty much everything someone might want to do, with sample files available at each stage from their website, to help check your work.

Any expert would say the book was light on explanations and detail, but when you are starting out, you need just enough to get it working, and you know someday you'll understand because Rich tells you so; sprinkled around are subtle encouragements like "you'll learn more about that in a later chapter, for now just do it this way" kind of statements. And at the end of each chapter there is a review, and an explanation of how what you learned fits in to what you are about to learn.

So since the same author that wrote Learning Flash CS4, it stands to reason that Learning ActionScript 3.0, which is billed as the companion book to the one I have, will have the same calm step by step approach. I already learned some basics from the first book, so I know what I am up against. Learning any kind of programming is difficult for me, and I am really nervous about venturing deeper into scripting, but I feel like I can't fail! With this author's help I was able to make a very professional presentation in under two weeks and it is a hit.

Great for Transitioning to ActionScript 3 - 2009-09-01
Reviewer Rating:
Keeping up to date in software for work or hobby is essential for those with a drive to stay on top and continually improve their products or services or with just a desire to make their job a little easier. As arduous as a transition to an unfamiliar programming language can be, this book provides help for beginners who have had some experience with former versions of ActionScript or other similar programming languages.

From my own personal experience with the book, all that I can say is that the book delivered all that I expected of it which was to help me to better understand the changes made with ActionScript 3. Already providing plenty of information for a good variety of topics, the book further succeeds in delivering a pleasant presentation.

After reading the material, the book remains as a helpful reference. While it may not be easily comprehended by those who have absolutely no experience with any programming language, it is very convenient for those like myself who have.

Excellent book - 2009-07-27
Reviewer Rating:
I have to say that this book is excellent. I am new to ActionScript development and this book has provided me with an excellent foundation on which to build. The explainations and code examples given in this book are excellent and really give you a great overview of the language.

This is an absolutely excellent book and the most recommended by the Flash community.

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