Errata for Flash CS4: The Missing Manual

The picture in Figure 2-12 is the same as the picture in Figure 2-11. On page 66 item 4. it says to "Click the stage and drag to draw a little face, hands, and feet similar to the ones in Figure 2-12." Figure 2-12 does not display a stick figure with face, hands, or feet.

Note from the Author or Editor:
Fig 2-12 Is incorrect. It should be replace with author's fig titled stick_face.tiff

Definitions of SEND TO BACK and SEND BACKWARD are swapped

Note from the Author or Editor:
Page 74, last two bullets should read: # Send to Back. Moves the selected object to the very back of the stack. # Send Backward. Moves the selected object back one level in the stack.

Sentence "Flash saves the movie clip symbol and brings you back to your main timeline." Should read: "...brings you back to the symbol timeline."

In the sentence..."As you drag the sign, a line with little round points appears marking the motion across the sage..." Should be "...across the stage..."

Note from the Author or Editor:
Page 131, step 4, last word in first sentence should be: stage

Cannot find file building_implode.flv in the "Missing CD" page

Note from the Author or Editor:
The file "building_implode.flv" is on the page for Flash CS3 The Missing Manual. A copy or link should also be placed on the page for Flash CS4 The Missing Manual.

"7. Click Continue..." should be "7. Click Next..."

Note from the Author or Editor:
Step 7 should read: Click Next (Continue on a Mac)to move to the next Import Video step.

"9. Click Continue." should be "9. Click Next." (for Windows)

Note from the Author or Editor:
Step 7 should read: Click Next (Continue on a Mac) to move to the next Import Video step.

"The second line of code shown in step 5..." should be "...shown in step 4..."

Note from the Author or Editor:
1st sentence, last para on page 446 should read: The second line of code show in step 4 adds card1 to the Display List...

Reference to Card1 and Card2 should be PlayingCard1 and PlayingCard2 to align with code on previous pages and the sample file provided.

Note from the Author or Editor:
Example should read: 1 var card1:Card1 = new(PlayingCard1); 2 var card2:Card2 = new(PlayingCard2);

signature (or "Formal description" as its used here) of addChildAt is incorrect. Needs to be: addChildAt(child:DisplayObject, index:int):DisplayObject

Note from the Author or Editor:
Second to last line on the page should read: Formal description: addChildAt(child:DisplayObject, index:int):DisplayObject

The explanation paragraph for these 2x functions seems to imply that the objects are swapped in terms of their x and y positions AS WELL as their z-order.... "swaps the position of two display objects in their display object container. This also changes the visual stacking order..." These functions ONLY affect z-order, not x and y coords or any other properties. I was confused by this till I looked up the Adobe documentation and got clarity.

Note from the Author or Editor:
On both pages, change: This also changes the visual stacking order... to This changes the visual stacking order...

Flash Sample File Error for Chapter 14, file: stop_go_begin.fla This error pertains to the ActionScript coding found in Chapter 14: Controlling Animation, on pp. 479 & 480. The problem is on pg. 479 step 4 which refers to 'stutzBearcat.stop();' and on pg. 480 ActionScript code lines 2 and 11, also referencing the stutzBearcat instance. The problem, the sample file did not name the stutzBearcat instance, hence at compile time error(s) will be generated. To rectify: 1) First you must unlock the stutz layer 2) Select the stutz bearcat instance on the stage 3) Name the movieclip stutzBearcat in the properties window 4) As a good practice, relock the stutz layer. 5) Test your movie

Note from the Author or Editor:
This error will be fixed by correcting the MissingCD file.

The text expects the sample file to have three layer, but the sample file only has two. The "labels" layer needs to be created by hand.

Note from the Author or Editor:
Missing CD file needs to fixed by adding a "labels" layer

Unnecessary comma - "If this value is, false..." should be "If this value is false..."

Note from the Author or Editor:
First bullet, first sentence should read: If this value is false, the button won't work. [The word "false" should be ital.]

"a stringy of characters" should be "a string of characters"

Note from the Author or Editor:
2nd row, 2nd column should read: a string of characters

Unnecessary comma - "First, of all,.." should be "First of all,..."

Note from the Author or Editor:
Actually the 2nd sentence in 2nd full para. Should read: First of all, you're creating a new variable and providing a variable name ptNear.

misspelled - "differnceOfPoints = ..." should be "differenceOfPoints = ..."

Note from the Author or Editor:
The first example on the page 571. Should read: differenceOfPoints = ptFar.subtract(ptNear);