Flash Application Design Solutions

Flash Application Design Solutions shows you how to harness the power of ActionScript 2.0 and make the most of the improved design tools of Flash 8 to create usable, intuitive Flash interfaces.

In this book, you'll find a number of concrete Flash usability solutions that use elements such as navigation menus, data filtering, forms, content loaders, Flash liquid layouts, help tips, and many other features. You'll learn how each of these solutions actually improves on what is possible with HTML and JavaScript. In each case, you'll see how users interact with the website feature, and how it gives users the most intuitive, enjoyable experience possible while using your application. You'll get a step-by-step analysis of how to program and build each solution, and how to make it scalable, maintainable, and reusable.

The book concludes with a case study that showcases the solutions developed in the previous chapters, all working together in a single application. This example puts all the pieces together and highlights just how, with some thought and consideration, Flash can improve usability on the Web.

This book is essential reading for all Flash designers and developers, from beginners seeking valid solutions to veteran Flashers looking for a fresh perspective on application design, interaction, and reusability.

You'll learn:

Important Web usability theory
How to build usable Flash applications
Effective object-oriented programming using ActionScript
How to use new Flash 8 features
Object-oriented ActionScript programming


Summary of Contents:

PART ONE: INTRODUCING FLASH USABILITY

Chapter 1: Flash: Then, Now, Later
Chapter 2: Setting Up Your Flash Environment


PART TWO: THE USABILITY SOLUTIONS

Chapter 3: A Basic Selection System
Chapter 4: Navigation Menus
Chapter 5: Content Loading
Chapter 6: Inventory Views and Selection Devices
Chapter 7: Data Filtering
Chapter 8: Forms
Chapter 9: State Management and Storage
Chapter 10: Help Tips
Chapter 11: Browser History
Chapter 12: Liquid Layouts
Chapter 13: Embedding Flash


PART THREE: PUTTING THE PIECES TOGETHER

Chapter 14: Planning for Usability
Chapter 15: The Usable Bookstore