Editorial Reviews:
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Product Description
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 toapproach 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.
Praise
"The best ActionScript book ever written."
-Lee Brimelow, Creator of The Flash Blog
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating: 
Summary: Excellent resource for learning AS3
Comment: This is an excellent book, especially for Flash users who need to know the basics of AS3. There's a huge difference between AS2 and AS3, and This book really helps bridge that gap.
If you are just starting out in AS3 then this book is a great place to start. I refer to it daily. While it doesn't have the heavy detail of a 900+ page reference manual, in my opinion this book is probably the best introduction to AS3 currently on the market.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Finally! This makes sense!
Comment: I've been using Flash since it was FutureSplash and while that sounds nice, as
a visual design minded person I've felt each improvement to Actionscript has
also brought with it a certain degree of alienation to non C.S. majors. This
book is exactly what I needed--it does much to bridge the gap and I'm
already enjoying the benefits.
And I mean actually enjoying. I have a fairly decent library of Flash books but
Learning Actionscriipt 3.0 is the first one to transport me back to when I was an eight year old kid
with my first decent book on Basic. Only AS3 is so much more awesome.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Comment: I came to this book as a designer interested in learning a little something about ActionScript to help my design work. As result of reading this book I'm spending my free time writing ActionScript.
When I can read a technical book without getting tense or confused, it's a terrific success. The writing is clear and the examples the author chose open up lots of possibilities for projects. I consider myself lucky for finding this book to learn ActionScript.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Explains AS2 to AS3 Migration Points
Comment: I think the book does a great job explaining all of the intricate details of OOP for experienced Actionscript users. I have used AS2 for a long time and I was very frustrated how so much had changed in AS3 and I never seemed to find a good book to explain each change. This book does that and more.
In addition to spelling out the advantages of using AS3 and OOP in general, it even takes things a step further by actually DEFINING programming design methodologies that are using in most development based work environments (i.e. Agile, XP, Waterfall, etc.). You know, all of those acronyms and other garbage that people through into job descriptions to intimidate newbies.
I'm inclined to agree that this book may not be suited for beginners to Actionscript, I would strongly recommend that anyone who is learning AS for the first time should grab a beginner's book (maybe a cheap one) and then use this as your professional reference guide. Everything is categorized and color coded for you: Need to attach a sound? Chpt. 13. Need to read XML? Chpt. 14
john
Customer Rating: 
Summary: Good for beginers
Comment: This book is great. I am starting off with AS 3.0 and its a great reference. I feel though sometimes it gets too complicated. Also it does not have many pictures, but the good thing is that the code is color coded. According to my professor who is very into finding books, its the best one out there for AS. I haven;t had a ton of time to look through the book yet, but so far what I see is helpful, just a really boring read.
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