Re: FLASH: Variables, properties, tell targets - oh my!

[John Croteau]

Hi Guys,


As with all fields there are certain prerequisites and learning all this

new Flash 4 and ActionScript stuff will take some time. Here are some of

my observations.


1) It is imparative to understand Tell Target and Tell Target paths

before getting started with ActionScript.


Basic Tell Target  -

http://www.FlashCentral.com/Tutorials/TellTarget.htm

Tell Target Paths  - http://www.FlashBible.com/members/TellTarget/


2) To start in ActionScript I have made the tutorials small and they

cover a limited amount of material at a time (there are many more

tutorials that will be added soon). These tutorials should be done in

order and throughly understood before proceeding to the next tutorial.

It should not be assumed that there is nothing to be learned because you

have done something similar to what is in the tutorial. Many questions

posted on the List about ActionScript could have been answered by a

through reading and understanding of the the tutorials available now.

Also, if you have a problem with a particular aspect of Actionscript you

should check and see if it is covered and even if you read it before you

should reread that tutorial. All the ActionScript tutorials have been

revised and new material or explainations have been added to all of

them, so even if you read it before there may be a solution to your

problem there now. Also, in each tutorial I have added some details to

help you understand the structure of Flash and ActionScript.

http://www.FlashBible.com/members/


3) I have created Plug and Play routines which are both for

non-programmers and programmers to use easily. To use these you only

need a very basic knowledge of ActionScript and to follow the

instructions in each Plug and Play article. 


4)Programmers can and should take advantage of more advanced programming

options found in Plug and Play routines and other animations. More

advanced programmers should learn both how the plug and play rountines

are constructed, how to create their own versions and to know how to

modify the plug and play routines. They should also share this knowledge

so that the capabilities of Flash can be expanded at a faster rate.


5) Everyone learns at their own pace and many learn best in different

ways. Also, this List will have many programming concepts presented that

will only be understood by those with more than a basic understanding of

programminng and ActionScript. It is unfair to expect more advaanced

programmers to make everything understandable to those with no or only

basic understanding of Flash and/or ActionScript especially if you want

these more advanced techniques available to you in upcoming plug and

play routines. 


6) If the only language you have been involved with is Lingo you will

have almost as much problem of a problem with ActionScript as  a

non-programmer. ActionScript is a very basic language with only a

minimum number of commands and many commands available in Lingo will not

be found in Flash's ActionScript. This does not mean tthat a particular

procedure  can not be done in ActionScript. It may or may not be

possible but if it is a more basic and compplicated method may be

required.


-- 

Coming Soon    Flash 4 Web Animation F/X and Design

  http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1576105555/flashcentral

-----------                               -----------------------

John Croteau

croteauerols [dot] com (mailto:croteauerols [dot] com)

-------------                             -------------------------

FlashTek  (Advanced Websites with Flash) http://www.FlashTek.com/

Flash Bible (Fast track to good Flash)  http://www.FlashBible.com/

Flash Central(The Universe Starts Here) http://www.FlashCentral.com/

The Flash Tech Resource (Tech Notes)   http://www.FlashCentral.com/tech/

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