Understanding Macromedia Flash 8 ActionScript 2: Basic techniques for creatives

by Rapo; Andrew

• ISBN13: 9780240519913
• ISBN10: 0240519914
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2006-02-17
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Andrew Rapo and Alex Michael explain all the important programming concepts from a designer's point of view, making them completely accessible to non-programmers. Completely revised and rewritten this second edition will help you develop professional ActionScript 2 applications, and communicate knowledgably about current, Object Oriented ActionScript 2 techniques. Divided into four sections to take you from novice to professional results: * Flash Fundamentals: Introduces the Flash authoring environment and basic core Flash concepts. * ActionScript 2 Fundamentals: Explains basic programming concepts and terminology, and shows how ActionScript 2 classes are constructed and used. * Built-in Classes: Describes the built-in ActionScript classes that are available for use in applications, including the MovieClip class, Key class, Sound class, etc. * Using ActionScript to Build a Game: Describes the development process for creating a complex Flash application and presents commercial-quality game coding examples. Benefit from explanations and examples of why and how ActionScript can simplify Flash production and expand your design potential Learn all the basics of strong scripting skills to produce professional results Example code is available and ready to use with either Flash MX 2004 or Flash 8 - at www.rapo.org/as2book

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vii
Introduction -- Understanding Macromedia Flash 8 ActionScript 2	ix
Section 1 Flash Fundamentals	1	(54)
An Introduction to ActionScript 2 Programming Tools in Flash 8	3	(16)
Timelines, Layers, The Stage, MovieClips, and the Library	19	(21)
Events and Event Handlers	40	(7)
External ActionScript Class Files	47	(8)
Section 2 ActionScript 2.0 Fundamentals	55	(92)
A Brief Overview of ActionScript 2 Programming	57	(7)
Transitioning from AS1 Classes to AS2 Classes	64	(7)
The Anatomy of a Class	71	(8)
The Building Blocks of Code	79	(24)
Organizing Code with Functions	103	(14)
Arrays	117	(15)
Inheritance and Polymorphism	132	(15)
Section 3 Built-in Classes	147	(64)
Built-in Classes	149	(3)
Built-in Classes: The MovieClip Class	152	(22)
Built-in Classes: The Key Class	174	(11)
Built-in Classes: The Sound Class	185	(15)
Built-in Classes: The XML Class	200	(11)
Section 4 Using ActionScript to Build a Game -- Astro Sweeper	211	(72)
Designing a Game	213	(12)
Building the Game -- Phase I: The FLA and the GameController	225	(26)
Building the Game -- Phase II: Movement and Powerups	251	(15)
Building the Game -- Phase III: The Complete Game	266	(17)
Appendices	283	(10)
Appendix A Glossary	285	(4)
Appendix B Key Codes	289	(4)
Index	293