Flash MX 2004 Released - TRIAL DOWNLOAD NOW AVAILABLE

[FPChris]

Originally posted by Gloomycus
hf7didjkdnfmvkfjfmsjksj !!!!

does anyone else think these MM acronyms are too long?

Yes. MX2 would have been fine.

Chris

[aversion]

Originally posted by CNO
I read in one of the recent reviews/previews that they have removed normal mode from the Actionscript editor.

http://www.flashmagazine.com/html/839.htm

If so, this is a pretty agressive and insulting act toward less-experienced developers - I know my way around Actionscript and I still occasionally switch back to normal mode, especially when teaching.

what's the rationality behind that? It just seems dumb and bloody minded, flash shouldn't force developers to use expert mode when all they want to do is add a few basic actions.

[gSOLO_01]

From what I've seen, theres plenty of stuff in there for the less advanced. Wizards, panels and right click stuff for doing animation or adding actions to movieclips. Nothing to worry about... After doing it one way for so many years, just have to get used to the change. But, again, we'll have to wait and see.

[aversion]

but it's typical of the shoddy way macromedia approach these things, why can't they say justify their decision instead of just saying that normal mode is no longer supported, I can't find anything on their site that says "ok we've changed this but for all those people who use normal mode don't worry because..."

you can say we'll wait and see but in this case why should all these people reading that there is no normal mode anymore have to spend the next few weeks wondering why they've been left out in the cold? If you're going to announce something like this, justify it.

I know I'm harping on about it but, while I'm optimistic the software will be an improvement, the way MM is treating it's customers, the way it's treating communities like this one, is just shoddy, it would have been a small effort to put some thought into their approach.

[Spherific]

why do you guys keep flaming it, just not use it, its not like they're forcing you to buy it

[MG315]

before i ugrade i'm definately going to download the trial version and try it out. but will downloading the trial of flash mx2004 pro work with flash mx already installed? I know i installed adobe acrobat 6, had a few problems so i uninstalled it and installed 4, only to find that 4 wouldnt work anymore (6 mustve left something behind).

[FPChris]

I won't miss the normal mode at all, never use it.
Maybe this will cut down on the wannabe hacks
and transparent bg popup ad makers that give Flash
a bad rap.

I'm sure other developers love it when we're all
lumped in with 'that crowd'. I think the people that
really know Flash or developed at some length with
other languages won't feel lost at all.

The new changes look great and I can't wait to jump in.

Since they are pushing app development does anyone
know if they added any 'real' file access?

Chris

[gSOLO_01]

Originally posted by MG315
will downloading the trial of flash mx2004 pro work with flash mx already installed?

Yes.

[bacon man]

Originally posted by FPChris
I won't miss the normal mode at all, never use it.
Maybe this will cut down on the wannabe hacks
and transparent bg popup ad makers that give Flash
a bad rap.

I'm sure other developers love it when we're all
lumped in with 'that crowd'. I think the people that
really know Flash or developed at some length with
other languages won't feel lost at all.

The new changes look great and I can't wait to jump in.

Since they are pushing app development does anyone
know if they added any 'real' file access?

Chris

you woudnt be saying that if you just started learning. just because you dont use it, loads of new users wanting to learn would have used it.

anyway, doesnt seem like there are any major improvements to the animation side of things, so doesnt look like i'll be upgrading anytime soon.
i might try the trail verson though, just incase.

[PAlexC]

So, if I'm understanding it correct, AS2 isn't really persistent throughout the whole movie. It's only if you're going to define objects, functions and classes. All your basic stuff (movie control, button actions, frame actions) are still done via AS1 as a basic script language, correct?

So, as you define functions/classes in AS2, you'll be embedding AS1 code into it, correct?

[gSOLO_01]

I believe you'll be using either as1 or as2. Those were two of the publish settings that I could see in the breeze presentation. It looks like one or the other. I don't know tho...

[aversion]

Originally posted by FPChris
I won't miss the normal mode at all, never use it.
Maybe this will cut down on the wannabe hacks
and transparent bg popup ad makers that give Flash
a bad rap.

I'm sure other developers love it when we're all
lumped in with 'that crowd'. I think the people that
really know Flash or developed at some length with
other languages won't feel lost at all.

flash isn't just about people who code heavily, that's the whole point of the application, it's narrow minded to think that all professional flash users use expert mode. You don't have to be a programmer to create flash media, it's as much a visual environment as it is scripted, never mind as already pointed out that people learning the application use the normal mode to get into scripting.

[aversion]

Originally posted by PAlexC
So, if I'm understanding it correct, AS2 isn't really persistent throughout the whole movie. It's only if you're going to define objects, functions and classes. All your basic stuff (movie control, button actions, frame actions) are still done via AS1 as a basic script language, correct?

So, as you define functions/classes in AS2, you'll be embedding AS1 code into it, correct?

from what I've seen in the various previews knocking around the scripting environment in flash itself doesn't recognise the AS2 syntax:

Scripts that use ActionScript 2 language elements must be stored as external script files, with a single class defined in each script; that is, ActionScript 2 terminology is not supported in the Actions panel.

from flashdevils

[Gloomycus]

I dont understand in making AS2 if the environment itself doesn't support it? Its making more work for the developer.

[aversion]

Originally posted by Gloomycus
I dont understand in making AS2 if the environment itself doesn't support it? Its making more work for the developer.

I'm not sure about the reasons behind this either, it's good practice to separate out things like classes into separate files so they can be reused and easily debugged, but I don't think they're doing this to force people to use good practice..

[mikecoutermarsh]

I would like to know what version you guys are going to be getting. Im currently thinking the pro version, but is there really that big of a difference?

Although it is only another $100 to upgrade to pro.

-Mike

[richblend]

this whole as2 thing really, really, really pisses me off. why do we need it? i never came across any limitations with as1. do we really need to turn flash into a complete programming language? it seems to alienate everyone except experienced programmers. ive worked hard recently, to try and migrate from the teenager-fiddling-in-my-bedroom phase by properly learning PHP, javascript and actionscript. now ive got to start again, and of course spend more money on books, and find all those useful tutorials completely redundant.

[slinky2000]

Originally posted by richblend
this whole as2 thing really, really, really pisses me off. why do we need it? i never came across any limitations with as1. do we really need to turn flash into a complete programming language? it seems to alienate everyone except experienced programmers. ive worked hard recently, to try and migrate from the teenager-fiddling-in-my-bedroom phase by properly learning PHP, javascript and actionscript. now ive got to start again, and of course spend more money on books, and find all those useful tutorials completely redundant.

Exactly mate.

[aversion]

AS2 isn't that big of a deal richblend, there will be some minor syntax changes but most of the new code has to do with OOP, if you don't want to get involved with that there won't be much to adapt to and you can use the syntax across a range of programming languages that comply with the same new standard, including javascript.

[FPChris]

you woudnt be saying that if you just started learning.
just because you dont use it, loads of new users wanting
to learn would have used it.


An application that is marketed to any given group of professionals
is never something you pick up over a weekend. Add the fact
that Flash really markets to 2 fields, artists and programmers
and it's no surprise that its complex. If it were kept in
such a simplified state developers would migrate to a product
that had the missing features.

The addition of a forms development environment says to me
they want to attract software developers. People like this
already have a working knowledge of coding and practices.
I remember fighting with Flash 4's scripting and breathed
a sigh of relief when 'expert mode' was introduced.

Everybody has to learn somewhere but Flash hasn't really
been a simple animation tool from the start. Just like
a beginner to C++ isn't going to jump in and code the
next Doom III within days of buying a C++ compiler.
But because that compiler CAN make Doom III that is
what attracts new people. And because not just anyone can
go make a DOOM III it continues to attract professionals.

Meantime, I'll continue to help the noobs.

Chris