New. Very new

[thebloodpoolkid]

I am very new at this. I need a good basic reference. Any one have any recommendations?

[Jesse]

Read at least the first four Beginner level tutorials on this site.

[thebloodpoolkid]

Ok. I have read the first 4 tutorials on this site. I have a good idea of what is going on. There is just one problem I still have no clue of what I am doing in the software.

I have Flash MX. The program is open. What should I do first. Where do I code? :confused:

Maybe I'll just stick to HTML :(

[DiDi]

Yes, you might stick with HTML, but Flash is definitely more fun...

I'd suggest doing Lessons and Tutorials that come with program (look under Help menu), that should give you pretty fair idea what is going on "in the program". Then do the tutorials as Jesse said. And don't give up, it's well worth the effort... Post whenever you have specific problem, people around here are always eager to help.

Good luck and happy flashing!

DD

PS: If you want to see another beginner story, check this:

http://www.actionscripts.org/forums/showthread.php3?s=&threadid=14843

[tg]

get a book:
foundation flash or flash mx express.
they are both good places to start. don't get both... that would be redundant.
read the reviews in the book section.

[smirnie]

I've downloaded a manual once. I lost the URL. But I can mail you the pdf if you like. just give me your adress. its about 1.5MB when I compress it to a .rar file.

[thebloodpoolkid]

I have went out and purchased a reference book. After reading though the first 3 chapters and working with the software I have gained the concept but there is still much more to learn befor eI began my first project. Than k you to all for your suggestions and help.:D

[smirnie]

No sweat, Flash is just about trial and error . That's what I learned the most up till now, but than again that's the fun of it.

[Vince]

Hands Down "Project Flash" by Nat (forgot last name) is the best book for learning Flash. There's no CD with the book but that's the good news. Instead of books that require you to import complex images, this one asks you to draw simplified versions. I learned a great deal from doing the 20 tutorials in the book. It covers a wide spectrum of what Flash 5 is capable of in easy to follow exercises (tutorials).
It basically gives you a solid grounding in Flash fundamentals in a way that is far more interesting than reading manuals.

[thebloodpoolkid]

believe it or not that is the exact book I purchased. Your right it is a great reference.

[smirnie]

I'm interested in the book. Can you give the complete reference?

thx

[Vince]

The book is called "Project Flash" published in February 2002. The author is Nat Gertler. The book is excellent and it's even a little cheaper than most of the other ones out there. When I first skimmed through it I though it might be a little too simplistic but it's actually very comprehensive.

[smirnie]

OK tx. I'll check it out.