I guess it depends on what experience your bring to Flash as to what is easy and what is hard. I've been doing digital video production for years, which involves creating timeline-based graphics animation, as well as some 3-D animation, so graphics creation is more natural for me.
When I first looked at Flash years ago, as a possible tool for graphics/animation, I thought it was an interesting tool, but lacked a place in my sphere of work where the effort required to produce the animation would be worth it. I have no doubt that I can produce satisfactory Flash from a graphics perspective, but I'm more interested in its use as a single-page application interface. Designing the interface, for me, really is the simple part. The problem is, all I bring to Flash ActionScript is Cold Fusion programming knowledge, and I'm not finding the experience with one helpful with the other. When I started CF, I had some great tutorials that introduced me to it, but with Flash AS, I haven't found the tutorials that have helped me "put it all together", yet. Sounds like MM is getting ready to address those like me who need some AS help, similar to their built-in tutorials for the animation that come with the Flash program. Just a few basic lessons and tutorials like those in the Flash "Help" menu would go a long way. It's just frustrating for the tutorials to come in the form of "here's a sample app you can study and learn how to use AS scripting." I'm just looking for a tutorial to walk me through getting some info, say typical calendar info, like date, time, event, location, description, whatever, in and out of a flash movie. I can't understand the Flash AS just by looking at it. That's no way for a novice to learn. And I don't want to study everything there is to know about AS before I even make a decision as to whether or not Flash MX is worth the investment of time and money... As to "producing the same old crap", I'm not looking to "rock the world" with new creative genius, I just want a new way to build business apps for my clients that are easier for them to use, and therefore easier to sell. Most of my clients wouldn't care if the Flash movie had a white background and no animation, as long as they didn't have to jump around everywhere on HTML pages to allow processing of information. Flash is trying to become a tool for functionality, as opposed to visual creativity. I don't that think that people would buy more pets just because the Pet Market presentation includes moving graphics. It's the one-page shopping/purchasing that would intrigue customers. Flash has great potential for use in my work, but not if I can't figure out how to use it... Rick -----Original Message----- From: Robertson-Ravo, Neil (REC) [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Monday, September 30, 2002 4:33 AM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Ben's J2EE Book I totally disagree.. getting it 'connected' is the easy part. The actual movement and animation (for which Flash is designed) is the difficult part. Flash is one of those progs which you need to be [a] a good designer [b] a good animator. If you are neither then stay clear of Flash or you will just be producing the same old crap. I think a proper 'Spectrum of Participants' :-) is required for these Rich Client movies as one single CF developer aint gonna blow things out of the water with poor Flash skills and a little DB connectivity. Flash is an animation/loose design tool CF is a Server Scripting Environment The divide is huge. N Though I would love to see someones reaction to this course who is a complete novice to Flash scripting etc.. -----Original Message----- From: Rick Faircloth [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: 30 September 2002 04:19 To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Ben's J2EE Book Hi, Raymond. Thanks for the news. Sounds perfect. Once I figure out that I can program the Flash/CF Interface (i.e., make money with it!), then I'll figure out how to make it look great... that's really the easiest part. The only questions now are: 1. Is this an online course or will I have to travel to a class to attend? 2. Is there a cost or is this free course? 3. Got a time-frame for when the course will be ready? 1-3 months, 3-6 months? Rick -----Original Message----- From: Raymond Camden [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 7:51 PM To: CF-Talk Subject: RE: Ben's J2EE Book Ok, I'm told I can talk freely... Folks, I've only looked at the first 6 units, but what I see so far I love. It is a very NON ART Flash AS type class. All of the things I learned were not things that required even the tiniest amount of artistic ability. What I did learn was to use form type controls and action script, which are things that are very useful for web applications. This is like the DREAM class for tech geeks. It is _exactly_ in line with what I want as a developer. Oh - and as far as I can see - there is no tweening. ;) ======================================================================= Raymond Camden, ColdFusion Jedi Master for Hire Email : [EMAIL PROTECTED] Yahoo IM : morpheus "My ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is." - Yoda > -----Original Message----- > From: Raymond Camden [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 3:00 PM > To: CF-Talk > Subject: RE: Ben's J2EE Book > > > Neil, let check and see what I can share. All I feel > comfortable saying > right now is that I am _extremely_ happy with what I've seen of the > course - and I do not like 'art junk'. I'll get back with > more info if I > can. > > ============================================================== > ========= > Raymond Camden, ColdFusion Jedi Master for Hire > > Email : [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Yahoo IM : morpheus > > "My ally is the Force, and a powerful ally it is." - Yoda > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Neil Robertson-Ravo =TMM= > > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]] > > Sent: Sunday, September 29, 2002 9:36 AM > > To: CF-Talk > > Subject: RE: Ben's J2EE Book > > > > ______________________________________________________________________ Your ad could be here. Monies from ads go to support these lists and provide more resources for the community. http://www.fusionauthority.com/ads.cfm FAQ: http://www.thenetprofits.co.uk/coldfusion/faq Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/cf-talk@houseoffusion.com/ Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/index.cfm?sidebar=lists
