Animation and Effects with Macromedia Flash MX 1002004 [Electronic resources] نسخه متنی

Appendix D. Resources

Online resources are extensive and useful when it comes to answering very specific needs to your Flash-related queries. Forums, email lists, blogs ("weblogs"), and tutorial-based websites are important parts of the Flash community. In recent years, the Flash-related blogs have popped up everywhere. These web pages journal the experiments and learning of many great Flash minds in the community. Searching the Flash blogs is a great way to find out about others who are going down the same path you are and learn a bit more each day. Most of them even allow you to comment on each entry that is made.

Of course, it's always a good idea to visit [www.macromedia.com] regularly to check the Developer Center ([www.macromedia.com/devnet]) for new tutorials, software updates (such as the free Flash MX 2004 7.2 updater release), and news. Also make sure to check Flash documentation online ([http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/mx2004/]), or press F1. Documentation is a great place to look when you get stuck, have trouble debugging, or want to find a tutorial. Flash documentation, expanded and improved in the 7.2 updater, includes reference materials (such as the ActionScript dictionary), linear chapters, as well as tutorials and sample applications. For documentation's sample applications, look in the C:\Program Files\ Macromedia\Flash MX 2004\Samples\HelpExamples (Windows) directory, or Mac HD:Applications:Macromedia Flash MX 2004: Samples:HelpExamples (Macintosh) directory.

Finally, be sure to check the companion website [www.FLAnimation.com], which includes updated information based on reader questions and feedback. Check the website for errata, tutorials, answers to frequently asked questions, and other updates.

The following pages list useful online resources for learning Flash, animation, and effects. Some of the links are Flash-related, but others cover more history and background in traditional animation techniques. These links are just a place to start. After you get a solid grounding in Flash, you'll probably find online resources and forums much more useful than when you're starting out with the program. You can also visit [www.FLAnimation.com/resources] for an up-to-date list that includes all these links, updates, and more.