js question

[timaging]

ok, so I have no writing experience with javascript, but I want to be able to use this platform for both animations and interactive presentations.

 

What's the best way to approach this part? I know the flash method pretty well so I understand porting that over, and understand CSS well, but the javascript is KILLING me.

 

thanks

Dave

 

[Rodrigo]

Hi Dave,

 

Well the best approach, at least IMO, is learning JS, which is not all that hard. Also get your fingers wet with jQuery and/or other libraries. With HTML5, CSS3, the flash plugin not longer updated for devices, there are a lots JS libraries coming out every week that make developers lifes a lot easier.

 

The only tools that I remember that makes it a lot easier is this:

 

http://tweenui.com/animator

 

http://html5maker.com/

 

Then you have edge animate, but it still requires some coding not strictly JS, but code non the less:

 

http://html.adobe.com/edge/animate/

 

Chris Gannon has made some amazing stuff in edge animate, you should check his blog:

 

http://chrisgannon.wordpress.com/

 

Rodrigo.

[timaging]

THANKS these are great, but it still looks like I need to know javascript. I've tried learning it several times and for some reason it just doesn't stick. I know greensock, html and css, but can't understand the js code written and read it and understand what it means when I look at it. Just like action script. I could never ever get that one figured out. Every tutorial tried to teach you how to build a calculator, or some random game thing. I just need a tutorial that shows me how it applies to something I'm doing.

 

So, if someone were to take one of these demos and explain what they were writing in javascript, why they placed it where they did and what each piece of code means, I would most likely get it. I may need to ask questions but could get it.

 

I see there's a webinar coming up, but no way in hell can I ask those questions. They all already know javascript. I'd probably need something online.

 

is there anything like that, where people would tell you what they're writing, instead of saying "you need to know javascript"? 

[timaging]

here's another thing I just found... I just downloaded Chris Gannon's UI for Taasky, replaced their minified folder with mine, and it doesn't work, so I can't even deconstruct.

[Carl]

Hi Dave,

 

I definitely understand your predicament. I came to the JS world eager to learn but felt like every time I wanted to do something relatively easy:

 

• I'd find six different ways to do it
• After choosing and learning a technique I'd find a blog post stating it was total garbage
• After following the advice of the person that called my chosen technique garbage I realized his new technique required 3 hacks to work in a litany of browsers

Lots of fun!

 

The topic of how you should get started with JS is the center of great debate. Personally, since I had a great deal of GSAP background and a solid yet basic understanding of HTML and CSS (from the old days) I found that jQuery was the magic elixir I was missing.

 

I would strongly recommend a jQuery starter course (there are many) like: https://courses.tutsplus.com/courses/30-days-to-learn-jquery

 

After watching 4 or 5 lessons you'll have a good idea of how to select DOM elements, make objects respond to mouse events, modify the DOM (add new elements like using ActionScript to generate new MovieClips) and some other basics without a lot of worry about cross-browser issues. 

 

Over time keep on top of beginner JS tutorials and read these forums as much as possible. You won't believe what you can learn from some of the discussions here.

 

Lastly, I'd invite you to check out our newly released training manual which we use in our classes: http://www.nobledesktop.com/books/details.cfm?product_id=143

 

It's recommended that you have firm knowledge of how to use CSS and HTML to create a basic webpage. Along the way it uses some basic JS and jQuery but we tried really hard to limit the amount of non-GSAP knowledge required to make it through the lessons. 

 

If you understand variables, functions, loops and conditional statements from ActionScript this book will definitely help you create fun interactive and animated experiences without Flash.

 

You'd probably be surprised at how little JavaScript you actually need to make things that are fairly impressive (thanks to GSAP of course). 

[timaging]

Hi Carl,

 

Thank You!

 

These are all great. I've also been corresponding with Chris Gannon, and he has pointed me to code academy.com, where I'm learning js basics now.

 

I'll check out your references too. This is something I am VERY eager to learn. I really think the combination of Adobe Edge Animate and Greensock is insanely powerful. Really looking forward to getting good at it!!

[GreenSock]

That's great - my sons are going through codecademy.com right now too. Good stuff. I think you'll really enjoy JavaScript and GSAP (along with Edge) once you've got some experience under your belt. Have fun!