Okay, okay, so this book is about Flash MX2004, which has just been superseded by the oh so special and delectable Flash 8 (read our review here). BUT, this book is about animation and the step-by-step tutorials are from an expert in the Flash arena, Jen DeHaan, so to me the version of Flash is irrelevant. (Jen is a freelance web designer from Canada, and this is her fourth published Flash book).

So what are those 10 projects? Well, the titles alone are enough to get you salivating (if you're a Flash nerd I guess):

• Introducing Flash.
• Animating with Motion Tweens.
• Creating Shape Tweens.
• Drawing Frame-by-Frame Animation.
• Character creation and Animation.
• ActionScript for Effects.
• Scripted Animation Effects.
• Masks, Transitions and Video.
• Creating Menu Effects.
• Creating a Gallery.

I like the fact that the basics are covered ... there is an introduction to MX2004, there are loads of ActionScript examples, tweening is explained and covered in detail ... Novice Flash users could learn a thing or two from this book readily, but also Intermediate users who want to advance to the next level. Its a good reference book if you get into trouble.

Originally, the accompanying website flanimation.com was developed to offer assistance with the book's tutorials ... sadly, the site hasn't ever been updated, it seems to have been stagnant since late 2004.

There are tips, tricks and absolute gems in this book. However, the writing style may not be to everyone's taste ... but regardless I'm going to give the book a thumb's up, because I enjoyed the experience and as a bonus picked up some great information. At roughly $USD30.00, this is a good buy.