Rating: Summary: An excellent book Review: I purchased this book 10 days ago, did not know anything about Flash MX at that time, and now after reading the book for 10 days and doing the tutorials I am confident to develop a Flash Movie of moderate complexity in very less time. Not yet finished the book, and expecting to become a master in Flash MX when I finish it. (more than 50% remain to be finished).
Rating: Summary: Looked at many, bought this one. Review: Flash MX Savvy is wonderful. I bought Sam's Teach Yourself Flash MX in 24 Hours several weeks ago... and it's fine. But MX Savvy is better. I am a total Flash newbie. In the past I had shyed (sp?) away from Flash because it was sooooo daunting. I've been using Swish (which BTW is a spectacular little app); but finally decided to bite the bullet and jump into Flash. So I got the Sam's book. I'm not sure why I felt the need for another book. I wasn't even half-way through Sam's. But something told me that in the long run I'd be glad to have two sources. So after much cogitatin', I landed upon MX Savvy. It is the perfect book. I have started at page 1, and am working my way through to the end. It is a perfect teacher and companion. It touches on everything about MX, newbie stuff and leads you into the advanced stuff. And it does so in that very comfortable manner of walking with you, but allowing to get your own hands wet in the process. VERY HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!
Rating: Summary: BUY IT. LEARN IT. LIVE IT. Review: If you want to learn the basics of Flash and challenge yourself with the "not-so-basic" this is your book! I bought this book in November of 2002, and am finally getting around to reading it. I'm telling you, this book gently introduces you to Flash and gradually works you up to intermediate-advanced faster than you can shake a stick. Wanna' learn animation? It's in there. Build an interactive Flash site? There too. Action Script? Covered. The tutorials and lessons are like a classroom in a book. You will not be disappointed. I have recommended this book to many of my friends, and I'm recommending it to anyone reading this review. Kudos to the authors for an intuitive, fun, sensible book!!! Best money I've spent in a long time.
Rating: Summary: Superb Flash Resource Review: There is no doubt that Flash MX Savvy is one of the best Flash MX books out there. Its conprehensive and appropriate for both beginners and seasoned Flash users alike. The projects (called Hands On) which are located at the end of each section are very practical, and great for testing all of the skills the reader learned in the previous chapters. I love the book and you will too.
Rating: Summary: Really not great Review: This book just doesn't cut it -- they went way too far trying to make it easy to read and so lost much of the value of a technical guide book. An example, you ask? From page 104: "Based in the great city of Vancouver, in the wonderful province of British Columbia, in the beautiful country of Canada, Atomic Cartoons..." That ridiculous style of writing wouldn't have made it past my 8th grade english teacher, and it certainly doesn't belong in a technical instruction book. If you have any technical background, including familiarity with any Macromedia products--in fact I would go so far as to say if you've ever even seen the Flash interface without trembling in confusion--this is not the book for you. Unlike their description of Vancouver BC, this book is not great, wonderful, nor is it beautiful. It's really just fluff. (I give it a 2 only because it may be more useful to someone who's never seen Flash or is really new to any type of development.)
Rating: Summary: Clear and easy to follow, yet in depth Review: As a beginner with Flash, this book is able to show me what I've wanted to do and what I can do with Flash in a simple and clear way that just about anyone can understand. With the informative explanation in the book backed up by a CD with great samples, I settled on this book after spending 2 days in a bookshop going through every book on Flash MX. Definitely a great buy.
Rating: Summary: One of the best techical books around Review: I read a lot of technical books. Flash Saavy is not only of the best Flash books around, it's one of the best technicals I have studied. Mr. Watrall deserves the praise he has received. He is a great communicator and instructor. This book went far beyond what I needed to know, and I am now helplessly hooked on Flash. I liked this book so much, I bought two other books he authored. If you are a beginner or an experience Flash user, this very comprehensive book will be well worth your time and money.
Rating: Summary: The Best Flash MX Book on the Planet! Review: I can't say enough good things about Flash MX Savvy...it is without a doubt the best Flash MX book that I've run across. Believe me! I've had the pleasure (or displeasure) of looking at many other Flash MX books, but none compare to this one. Its comprehensive (from a beginner/intermediate point of view), written well, and extremely useful for both a step by step learning tool and a reference.
Rating: Summary: Super Flash MX Tome Review: There is little doubt that Flash MX Savvy is a great Flash book. Just look at all the rave reviews. Just look at the fact that people think far better of it than some of the "supposed" standard books (particularily the Flash MX Bible). So, what is my take...what do I have to add? Well, first off, Flash MX Savvy leads the reader through the most easiest and basic of skills to some failry advanced stuff (especially if you are a raw beginner). Further, its written really well. The authors know what they are talking about, and they write in a super accessible way. I've got to admit, I actually enjoyed reading the book - it made the whole process of learning Flash MX (which can be pretty daunting) a little easier. More specifically, I loved the in-depth coverage of Flash and audio. Granted, most Flash books will teach you how to work with audio. The differnce is that Flash MX Savvy has way more coverage than any other book. So, what do I think about Flash MX Savvy? Well, I think its hands-down the best Flash MX book that money can buy. But you don't have to take my word for it - just read all teh other incredible reviews!
Rating: Summary: Great book, pity about the eye strain Review: I bought this book after reading all of the reviews here. The Table of Contents looked like just the ticket. But I was most impressed with the number of readers who commented on the great paper, nice printing, efficient layout, etc. etc. I too dislike the cheap paper, huge type with large leading, smudgy figures, and the general waste of paper that many computer books suffer from. (And as an author myself, I really focus on such things when I shop for books.) However, after reading a few pages, I have one serious complaint: the typeface used is too light; it's also a point too small for such a thin serif font. The contrast between the ink and paper is such that you really have to strain to read the words. And forget about a comfortable read in low lighting for those of you with moody studios. I read for about half an hour and ended the session, debating whether to return the book. (And this is from someone who always has their head in a book or magazine - this is the first book I've had this reaction to.) Regarding the figures and illustrations: yes, they sure do print sharp on nice paper, but they are unnecessarily small! Some of the helpful captions are so small you almost need a magnifier to read them! I'd also like to see more figures - there were plenty of pages where figures were needed. No page should be without at least one figure... So overall, Flash MX Savvy looks like it has great content, but it's a real pity it's so hard to read. At first glance, it does have a nice expensive feel, but more time should have been spent on readability testing.
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