Foundation ActionScript 3.0 Image Effects discusses the ins and outs of graphical manipulation through code of all the different elements available in a Flash project, from vectors to bitmaps to videos, from animated text effects to dynamic video filters. Flash 8 introduced a vast array of image features, such as blend modes and filters as well as ActionScript's powerful BitmapData object, and this book covers all those effects in their current CS4 form, as well as the new graphical options that are available, such as the Pixel Bender Toolkit. It also details the many possible effects that can be achieved and the associated practical applications, with a focus on strong OOP methodologies to make the code more modular and reusable across projects.

• Gives detailed information on all of the image manipulation abilities of Flash CS4
• Covers complex technology, such as the Pixel Bender Toolkit
• There is no other book like it, covering the same topics in as much depth

What you'll learn

• Practice image manipulation using modular, object-oriented techniques
• Includes a comprehensive library of image effects classes
• Explore the bitmap manipulation classes in depth
• Applicable to most if not all of the Flash "disciplines"
• Provides a multitude of practical examples, not just theory
• Learn the new Pixel Bender language

Who is this book for?

This book is a great resource for any reader with an intermediate to advanced knowledge of ActionScript developing Flash games, applications and interfaces, animations or Websites, as the effects detailed are applicable across multiple disciplines. If you understand the best practices OOP syntax and know how to manipulate a Flash movie beyond the basics, you will be able to pick up the book and apply its lessons in your own work, as it clearly points out how the effects discussed have practical applications for amateurs and professionals alike.

If you want to create exciting dynamic web sites that will amaze your online audience, then the Flash platform is a great way to go, with it's many features, including powerful graphical and sound and video capabilities. To really harness the power of Flash though, you need to make use of ActionScript to provide dynamic effects, enable user interaction, and manipulate data.

ActionScript 3.0, the latest version of the Flash Platform's scripting language, offers a lot of new and powerful features. ActionScript is now a full-fledged programming language, with complete object-oriented capabilities, improved event handling, sound and video support, drawing capabilities, support for regular expressions, and much more.

Whether you are a Flash designer wishing to add to your skill set or an experienced ActionScript developer who wants to get up to speed with the latest version, you'll find all you need to know in Foundation ActionScript 3.0 with Flash CS3 and Flex.

This book covers all the essential techniques from the ground up, allowing you to get up and running quickly and easily. Starting with the fundamentals, youll learn about using ActionScript objects, manipulating sound and video, and harnessing the power of regular expressions and XML.

The book concludes with two case studies to consolidate what you've learned and to introduce some more advanced techniques. This will give you a good grounding in the new and exciting world of ActionScript 3.0 and show you how it all fits together in larger applications, allowing you to go on and build your own professional sites.

The sensible layout of the book makes it easy to find information about specific techniques. It doesnt aim to be an exhaustive reference, but rather focuses on the essential skills that will enable you to get up and running quicker. With this book as your guide, youll be creating killer Flash applications before you know it.

In this book, youll:

• Use the fundamentals of ActionScript 3.0 with both the Flash IDE and Flex
• Take advantage of ActionScript 3.0's object-oriented features
• Manipulate sound and video to produce exciting modern web applications
• Work with XML as your data source
• Witness the power of ActionScript 3.0 in two complete case studies

• Learn object-oriented programming in ActionScript 3.0
• Covers both the Flash and Flex environments
• Includes design patterns, custom frameworks, data binding, and other crucial techniques

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is something that is usually considered a black art for hardcore programmers, not a topic of conversation for Flash developers. However, when adobe introduced ActionScript 3.0 to the mix, it changed everything. ActionScript 3.0 is much more powerful than previous versions, allowing Flash developers to produce robust object-oriented applications. but with that power comes great responsibility—OOP is now a requirement, rather than optional, and there are new things to learn.

But never fear—this book, based on the ever-popular Object-Oriented ActionScript for Flash 8, provides you all you need to delve into the world of OOP with confidence, whether you are using the Flash IDE, Flex builder, or even command-line tools for your development work.

First, you are taken gently through all the principles of OOP that you need to know, and then given a guide to designing and implementing applications in ActionScript 3.0. Next, we step up a gear, showing you the Flex builder development environment and teaching about creating reusable, extensible component frameworks—manager classes, animation and effects classes, UI widgets, and more. lastly, we look at some more advanced topics such as communication between Flash and the browser and Web services. case studies are included that apply the knowledge presented, giving you real-world projects to learn from and adapt for use in your own work.

Mastering object-oriented programming is essential for modern Flash development, and Object-Oriented ActionScript 3.0 is the only guide you'll need.

In this book you'll learn:

• the essential principles of object-oriented programming, including inheritance, encapsulation, polymorphism, and more
• Valuable lessons on ActionScript 3.0 project planning and programming, including design patterns and source control
• How to create your own extensible, reusable application framework using OOP best practices
• Advanced data integration techniques such as Web services and communication between Flash and the browser

Summary of Contents

• PART ONE: OOP AND ACTIONSCRIPT
  • Chapter 1: Introduction to OOP
  • Chapter 2: Programming Concepts
  • Chapter 3: ActionScript 3.0 Programming
• PART TWO: FLASH OOP GUIDELINES
  • Chapter 4: Planning
  • Chapter 5: Project Workflow
  • Chapter 6: Best Practices
  • Chapter 7: Working with Flex 2
• PART THREE: CORE OOP CONCEPTS
  • Chapter 8: Encapsulation
  • Chapter 9: Classes
  • Chapter 10: Inheritance
  • Chapter 11: Polymorphism
  • Chapter 12: Interfaces
  • Chapter 13: Design Patterns
  • Chapter 14: Case Study: An OOP Media Player
• PART FOUR: BUILDING AND EXTENDING DYNAMIC FRAMEWORKS
  • Chapter 15: Manager Classes
  • Chapter 16: UI Widgets
  • Chapter 17: OOP Animation and Effects
• PART FIVE: DATA INTEGRATION
  • Chapter 18: Exchanging Data Between Components
  • Chapter 19: Communication Between Flash and the Browser
  • Chapter 20: Server Communication (XML and Web Services)
  • Chapter 21: Case Study: Slideshow Engine