Flash Builder and Flash Catalyst: The New Workflow (Essential Guide To...)

Flash Catalyst is a new tool from Adobe to improve the designer-developer workflow in creating Rich Internet Applications. It enables designers to create application designs in Photoshop or Illustrator and add functionality directly to those in order to create simple interactive experiences. These can then easily be brought into Flex, where developers can add any more complex functionality. This is a landmark tool from Adobe that radically changes the way designers and developers work. The book looks at Flash Catalyst in the context of the overall RIA-creation process and gives designers and developers a thorough grounding in the new software workflow. Currently no other books on Flash Catalyst have been announced.

The Flash Platform is changing. Flash Builder and Flash Catalyst have brought a new separation of design and coding to web development that enables a much more efficient and streamlined workflow. For designers and developers used to the close confines of Flash, this is a hugely liberating, but at first alien concept. This book teaches the new workflow for the Flash platform. It gives an overview of the technologies involved and provides you with real-world project examples and best-practice guidelines to get from design to implementation with the tools at hand.

• Includes many examples
• Focuses on real-world situations
• Covers designer and developer workflow

What you’ll learn

• Use the new workflow from design to implementation.
• Learn best practices for Flex development.
• Determine the right tools for the job.
• Gain basic knowledge of Flash Catalyst.
• Gain basic knowledge of Flash Builder 4.

Who this book is for

This book is intended for people that want to understand how design and development are brought closer together with Flash Catalyst and Flash Builder 4. Although it can be quite helpful to already have some basic knowledge of Flex, the book will provide you with an overview of the main features and lots of coding examples that are explained in detail.

Table of Contents

1. Flex and AIR: Taking RIAs to the Next Level
2. Flex 4 SDK: Overview of the New Features
3. Flash Builder 4: The programming environment
4. Flash Catalyst: bridging the gap
5. Choosing the Best Workflow
6. Case Study: An E-Commerce Site
7. Managing RIA Projects
8. Frameworks
9. Best Practices

Annotation The Flash Platform is changing. Flash Builder and Flash Catalyst have brought a new separation of design and coding to web development that enables a much more efficient and streamlined workflow. For designers and developers used to the close confines of Flash, this is a hugely liberating, but at first alien concept. This book teaches the new workflow for the Flash platform. It gives an overview of the technologies involved and provides you with real-world project examples and best-practice guidelines to get from design to implementation with the tools at hand. Includes many examplesFocuses on real-world situationsCovers designer and developer workflowWhat youll learnUse the new workflow from design to implementation. Learn best practices for Flex development. Determine the right tools for the job. Gain basic knowledge of Flash Catalyst. Gain basic knowledge of Flash Builder 4. Who this book is forThis book is intended for people that want to understand how design and development are brought closer together with Flash Catalyst and Flash Builder 4. Although it can be quite helpful to already have some basic knowledge of Flex, the book will provide you with an overview of the main features and lots of coding examples that are explained in detail. Table of ContentsFlex and AIR: Taking RIAs to the Next LevelFlex 4 SDK: Overview of the New FeaturesFlash Builder 4: The programming environmentFlash Catalyst: bridging the gapChoosing the Best WorkflowCase Study: An E-Commerce SiteManaging RIA ProjectsFrameworksBest Practices Provides information on using Flash Builder and Flash Catalyst to design effective Rich Internet Applications.