Used to be known as Macromedia Flash.
I still remember the first time I open the Flash IDE. It was still in version 3, and I still in fourth semester in the University. In the multimedia class, I have an assignment to create animation using Flash. I don’t ever even heard about this thing before. So that the first time I learn and try the tweening and shape motion. I got A for that assignment. I love this thing, but then after that multimedia class, I don’t touch Flash for years.
Got back to Flash (still named Macromedia Flash) in 2000 at job. At that time, Flash was already in version 5 with the new improvement of Action Script. Now we identify it as Action Script 1.0 which was an amazing improvement from the original Action Script. But then, I still not much got into the programming. My job required me to create animation for a Flash based web portal for a big cigarettes company. And then to maintain flash animation for an Electronic company website. Flash animation, tweening etc was my daily activity then. I start learn the Action Script but still limited to just some few function needed to control the time line.
One or two year(s) after that, Macromedia then release the version 6 or known as Macromedia Flash MX. There were more improvement at the Action Script. Added with new feature called Remoting. A lot of people around the world seem very interested the Flash Remoting. Some of them even create component to use the Remoting with other platform, such as PHP. Macromedia only release component to use the Remoting with proprietary platform like ColdFusion and .Net framework.
After that version, then released Flash MX 2004 with Action Script 2.0. More changes to the Action Script. Together with it there were also Flex came out from the Macromedia Lab. After MX 2004, there is no more MX version. Following the MX 2004, it was Flash 8.
Then Macromedia bought by Adobe group and now we know Flash as Adobe Flash.
There is only One person I know as a Macromedia Certified Developer. The one and only in Indonesia. Not me of course. But it happened to be my friend. I learn a lot from him.
Adobe Flash now bundled with Adobe Creative Suite package. With more advanced Action Script version 3.0. A lot more different compared to version 1.0 and 2.0. Only run at Flash Player 9.0 or above. With this CS3, you would still able to create Flash using ActionScript 2.0 but will absolutely missing the greatest advantage offered by version 3.0 Action Script.
It is a whole new thing. And a lot to learn in order to adapt the AS 3.0. But all the efforts are worthed.
So here I will open a discussion about using the Action Script 3.0. I won’t talk about creating animation using the tween in time line. Here I will talk about Scripting and Programming.
Enjoy..