Flash 5 for Dummies [With CD-ROM Included]

Step by step instructions and clear explanations to some of the most important aspects of Flash 5. Too bad it doesn't focus on developing a complete application as, for example, FOED books.

Before you venture out into the world of Flash 5 learning let me give you a few words of advice. Firstly, about the program in general.. Macromedia Flash 5 costs around 400 dollars. The book includes a test demo, but this demo IS NOT LONG ENOUGH TO GIVE YOU HANDS ON TRAINING FOR THE DURATION OF THE BOOK. Fortunatly my students were allowed to used borrowed copies of the software to complete this book.Now that I have placed my two warnings on the table, I must say that this book with the proper study and participation (using the Flash 5 screen right in front of you) can make for an ideal Dummies book. All of my students found this book instructional, and a few of them even went as far to say it was the best Flash book on the market. In same areas, I must agree with them. First of all- despite the criticism that this book is hard to follow at times- it makes Flash 5 programming quite simple. Flash is not an easy program to use effectively, and without reading this book you may get lost in a clutter. Secondly, this book is in my opinion one of the only TWO Flash 5 books you should EVER read. The other book is Macromedia's own instructional book for advanced users. Other books give you nothing but repitition from an inferior writer...Get this book if you are serious about improving and using Flash 5; otherwise you are wasting your time

This book is clear and easy to understand. I was a complete novice to Flash and was able to create a rather complex site after reading Flash 5 For Dummies. My goal was to self teach Flash and I was successful; however, I also utilized other sources. I don't think that one source alone can possibly be enough since we all have different ways of learning. I found going online to various tutorials extremely helpful. I definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to be able to create a great website; however, be open to pulling information from the vast variety of free online tutorials, newsgroups, etc. Most of all, PRACTICE the concepts that this book teaches so that you can actually apply them.

In learning any new skill, having the right teacher makes all the difference. As a newbie to Flash, Macromedia's cutting edge technological tool for web developers, I was thrilled to discover Flash 5 For Dummies, a truly delightful teaching tool. Unlike many other books on the subject, authors Gurdy Leete and Ellen Finkelstein adopt a tone that is friendly, humorous, and easy-to-understand without being condescending. For each new skill that is presented, they provide clear, step-by-step instructions. By the time I had finished Chapter 10 of the book (Getting Interactive), I was able to create my very first Flash movie which is displayed on my website at www.tomatotreedesigns.com. Though the book seems most appropriate for the Flash beginner, many advanced skills, such as creating motion guides, mask layers, and applying actions to movie clips and buttons, are covered. If you work your way through the entire book, you will be well-equipped to create Flash movies for personal or commercial use. Not only does this book provide you with top-notch instruction for learning Flash, but you won't have to pay an arm and a leg for it. At $19.99, the price of the book is about half the price of many other books on the same subject.The accompanying CD contains many wonderful examples of Flash movies illustrating concepts presented in each chapter of the book. In addition to the sample movies, the accompanying CD contains a library of geometric and fun shapes that you can use in the creation of your own movies. Don't have Flash 5 yet? The CD contains a trial version of the program along with trial versions of Dreamweaver and Fireworks (also from Macromedia) as well as a tryout version of Adobe Photoshop 5.5.I strongly recommend this book as a first read for anyone starting out in learning Flash. Buy the book. Then you, too, can be one happy dummy. : )

I had briefly touched Flash 5.0 before I started this book, and by the end of the first chapter I was making things move across the page and playing with different options. This is an excellent book for anyone that wants to learn Flash, and I highly recommend it.