flash8 lectures

8/13/2019 Flash8 Lectures

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Flash 8 Lecture Outline Copyright 2008 by Ken Slonneger Page 2

Rectangle Tool (r)

Shift drag gives a square

PolyStar Tool: Options (polygon or star) in Properties Panel

Pencil Tool (y)Shift drag gives 90 lines

Properties: Change stroke size and kind of line

Properties: Set Cap and Join

Options: Straighten and Smooth

Paint bucket Tool (k)

In rectangle and ovals

In drawn figuresPaint bucket may not fill if gaps occur in figure

Ink Bottle Tool (s)

Used to change the color of strokes in the same way the Paint Bucket is usedto change the color of fills.

Provides access to the Properties Panel where the stroke style, color, and sizecan be changed and then the Ink Bottle can be clicked on the stroke of a shape.

Can be used to add a stroke to a shape with no stroke.

Pen Tool (p)

Used to create Bzier curves, named for the mathematician Pierre Bzier.

Polygonal Figures

Alternate clicking and moving the mouse to create a polygon.

Close the polygon by returning to the starting point or by

Double clicking to end the drawing or

Selecting another drawing tool for the Tools Panel to end the drawing.

Curved FiguresClick to place an anchor point on the stage.

Click at another place and drag the mouse to describe an invisible tangent lineto the curve being drawn from the anchor point.

(You can start with a drag if you want to establish a starting tangent.)

Clicking and dragging again continues the curve along another tangent line.


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Just clicking also continues the curve, but clicking yet again continues the curvein a straight line.

The drawing can be finished by closing the figure or by double clicking.

Visual Help

Show the progress of Pen tool drawings:Edit!Preferences!Drawing or

Flash Professional!Preferences!Drawings (Macintosh)

Check

Show pen preview (for Pen Tool)

Show solid points

Show precise curves

Editing Bzier Curves

Choose the Subselection tool and alter articulation points, curve segments,

or tangent lines orWith the Pen tool selected, hold down the control key and edit the curve.

Pen States and Icons (Pen Tool chosen)

Pen displays a smallxwhen it is simply over the stage.

When the Pen hovers over an endpoint, it display an oto indicate that isan endpoint.

When the Pen hovers over a corner point, it displays a - to indicate that clickingthis corner point deletes it.

When the Pen is over a path between two points, it displays a + to indicatethat clicking here adds point to the path.

When the Pen hovers over an existing point (not a corner), it displays a ^ toindicate that clicking that point turns in into a corner point.

Brush Tool (b)

Shift drag gives 90 lines

Drawing will merge (same color) or cut out (different colors)

Draws with fill color not the stroke color

Line Tool (n)

Shift drag gives 45 lines

Reshape by dragging


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Subselection Tool (a)

Shows articulation points on line, brush, and pen drawings (and others)

Free Transform Tool (q)

Select what you want to transform

Use handles in the transform selection to make changes

Use the Transform Panel to make changes

Eraser Tool (e)

Erase any parts of a drawing by dragging eraser

Lasso Tool (l)

Select a figure that cannot be outlined by a rectangle

Option: Polygonal lasso by clicking and double clicking at end

Text Tool (t)

Properties: Font, size, color, style, alignment

Types: Static Text, Dynamic Text, Input Text

Just start typing or

Draw a rectangle to type inside

Eyedropper Tool (i)

Pick up a color to use as a fill with the Paint Bucket

Hand Tool (h)

Adjust the position of the stage

Spacebar provides a temporary hand without changing the tool selection

Zoom Tool (m,z)

Options allow enlarge or reduce

ctrl+= provides a temporary enlarge without changing tool selection

ctrl+- provides a temporary reduce without changing tool selection

Object Drawing (j)

This Options makes each drawn figure a different object (no merge, no cut out).


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Drawing Guides

Need to have rulers: View !Rulers (alt+shift+ctrl+R)

Drag guide down from ruler or to the right from ruler

Show guide (default) View!Guides!Show Guides (ctrl+;)

Snap to guides: View!Snapping!Snap to Guides (shift+ctrl+;)

Guides are invisible in movie

Grouping Drawn Objects

Modify!Group (ctrl+g) and Modify!Ungroup (shift+ctrl+g)

Make a duplicate of a drawn object: Edit !Duplicate (ctrl+d)Playing a Movie

Play Enter

Advance one frame .

Move back one frame ,

Create swffile and display movie ctrl+Enter

Publish (create swfand html) File!Publish (ctrl+F12)

Layers

Shapes and figures drawn on separate layers do not merge or cut out.

A layer may contain: a drawing

a sound

ActionScript (code)

an animation

Layers should be given descriptive names (double click on layer name, typea new name, and Enter).

Add a layer

Insert!Timeline!Layer or

Press button on left below layer windowActive layer is highlighted with a pencil.

Choosing a layer selects all the objects on that layer.

Selecting an object on the stage may change the active layer.


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Create Shape Tween: Arrow with light green background

Click on left Keyframe and select Shape from Properties panel Tween menu.

Shape Hints

Labeled a to z (up to 26 hints)

Create a Shape HintModify!Shape!Add Shape Hint orctrl+shift+H

Arrange shape hints on start drawing (yellow hints) and on end drawing (green hints)

Place hints counter-clockwise from upper left

Moving Object Along a Path

Only possible with a Motion Tween

StepsInsert Keyframes left and right.

Choose layer and create a Motion Guide layer (three methods):

Insert!Timeline!Motion Guide or

Click second icon at bottom of Layers window

Right click and choose Add Motion Guide

Select Motion Guide layer.

Draw a path on this layer (pencil, brush, or other drawing tool).

Select View!Snap to Objects (the default setting).Place a Symbol at beginning of path on left Keyframe (snap center point).

Place a Symbol at end of path on right Keyframe (snap center point).

Create a Motion Tween on Motion Guide layer.

Motion Guide layer may be locked and/or hidden.

Editing Animation

Drawing on stage can be changed only on Keyframes.

Stretch or contract a tween: Double click on a Keyframe and drag either way.

Reversing animation: Select animation layer and Modify !Timeline!Reverse frames.

Add regular frames in a tween to slow animation down.

Change frame rate to speed up or slow down animation.


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Differences between Motion Tweens and Shape Tweens

Motion: Works on Symbol instances, grouped drawings, and text objects.

Shape: Works on drawn shapes and figures.

Movement along a path only possible with a Motion Tween.

Morphing a shape only possible with a Shape Tween.

Movie Clip Symbols

Insert!New Symbol (ctrl+F8)

Name symbol and select Movie Clip for type

Edit Symbol as a new movie with its own layers and tweens.

Example

Fat oval to a Skinny oval and then back to a Fat ovalCenter drawing (Cut and Paste)

Create a tween from Fat oval to Fat oval so that the start and end pictures line up

Create a Keyframe in the middle with the Skinny oval using Transform to shrink it

Return to main scene (ctrl+e)

Place several of the new Movie Clip Symbols on the stage

Button Symbols

Insert!New Symbol (ctrl+F8)

Name symbol and select Button for type.

Edit Symbol: Create graphics for

Up state

Over state

Down state

Hit state (maybe): a solid shape covering the button graphic

Need a Keyframe for each state that we edit.

Add a SoundImport a sound file

File!Import!Import to Library (or Scene)

Edit Button Symbol

Put a Keyframe at Down state

Place sound


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Drag sound from Library toe Down frame or

Select sound from Properties Panel for Button Symbol.

Animated Button

Place a Movie Clip Symbol on the Keyframe state that should be animated.

Action for a Button

Two possibilities

Write ActionScript code (later)

Use Window!Behaviors (shift+F3)

Place a Button Symbol on the stage.

Choose the Behaviors Panel.

Click the plus sign and choose category and subcategory.

Example !Web!Go to URLEnter a complete URL with protocol in window.

Options: _self uses the same browser window

_blank opens a new browser window

Example

Place text on stage: "Enter a web address: ".

Use Text Tool with Input Text selected to place a text field on the stage and givethe field an instance name, say webAddress.

Draw a rectangle around the text field with white fill.

Place a Button Symbol on the stage and give it an instance name, say myButton.

Create a new layer called Actions,

Choose Actions layer, open Window!Actions (alt+F9), and type

myButton.onRelease = function(){

getUrl("http://"+webAddress.text, "_self");}


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Timeline Effects

Flash provides eight Timeline Effects that act as shortcuts for creating animationsand drawings.

Copy to Grid

Insert!Timeline Effects!Assistants!Copy to Grid

Options

Grid Size

Grid Spacing

Examples: Matrix of stars, Matrix of spam cans

Distributed Duplicates

Insert!Timeline Effects!Assistants!Distributed DuplicatesOptions

Number of Copies

Offset Distance

Offset Rotation

Offset Start Frame (delay in frames for creating duplicates)

Scaling (Exponential or Linear)

Color, Final Color, and Alpha

Example: Duplicate a die

Blur

Insert!Timeline Effects!Effects!Blur

Options

Effect Duration

Resolution (number of copies displayed)

Scale (factor by which object grows)

Allow Horizontal BlurAllow Vertical Blur

Direction of Movement

Example: fire.jpg


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Expand

Insert!Timeline Effects!Effects!Expand

Object expanded must be a Symbol

Options

Effect Duration

Expand, Squeeze, or Both

Direction of Movement

Shift Group Center by

Fragment Offset

Change Fragment Size by

Example: Beating heart

Explode

Insert!Timeline Effects!Effects!Explode

Options

Effect Duration

Direction of Explosion

Arc Size

Rotate Fragments by

Change Fragment Size by

Final Alpha

Examples: Herky, fire.jpg

Drop Shadow

Insert!Timeline Effects!Effects!Drop Shadow

Options

Color

Alpha Transparency

Shadow OffsetExamples: Herky, star


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Transform

Automatic Tweening

Insert!Timeline Effects!Transform/Transition!Transform

Options

Effect Duration

Change Position by

Scale

Rotate or Spin

Change Color

Final Alpha

Motion Ease (Slow at Start or End)

Example: star

Transition

Fade in/out and Wipe

Insert!Timeline Effects!Transform/Transition!Transition

Options

Effect Duration

Fade in/Fade out

Wipe: object appears bit by bit along a line

Direction

Motion Ease (Slow at Start or End)

Examples: fire.jpg and stars

Notes on Timeline Effects

Cannot edit Timeline Effects Symbols in the normal Symbol editing mode.

Cannot add Keyframes on a layer with a Timeline Effect.

To alter a Timeline Effect, select

Modify!Timeline Effects!Edit Effect.To delete a Timeline Effect, select its layer and click

Modify!Timeline Effects!Remove Effect.


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Scenes

Sequential animation can be organized into scenes to make development easier.

Flash documents open with one scene, called "Scene 1".

Open another scene (two ways)

Insert!Scene

Window!Other Panels!Scene (shift+F2) and click +at bottom of Scene Panel.

Scenes can be renamed by double clicking on them in the Scene Panel.

Drag scenes in the Scene Panel to reorder them.

Changing from one scene to another scene:

Select scene from Scene Panel or

Choose scene from the menu below the movie clapperboard icon in the title bar.

Delete a Scene: Choose it in Scene Panel and click on trash can.

ActionScript Examples

ActionScript is a programming language similar to JavaScript.

An action (a code fragment) can be attached to a Keyframe or to an object (a symbol orcomponent).

Example

Create a Button Symbol.

Give it an instance name, say "xyz".

Select the button instance an open the Actions Panel usingWindow!Actions (alt+F9)

Enter the following code in the Actions Panel:

on (release){ stopDrag(); }

on (press){ startDrag(xyz); }

Create a Scene 2 with some animation, say a Transform Timeline Effect.

Play the movie and note that Scene 1 moves directly into Scene 2.

Return to Scene 1, choose frame 1, a Keyframe, and enter the following code:stop();

Create another Button Symbol on Scene 1.

Select the new button, open the Actions Panel (if not open), and enter this code:

on (release){ gotoAndPlay("Scene 2", 1); }

Try the movie now.


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Custom Colors

Consider the Color Mixer Panel, choosing Stroke icon or Fill icon.

Note Option button on the right side of the title bar.

Choose RGB (the default) or HSB .RGB

Red-Green-Blue: eight bits each, represented as an unsigned byte, 0 to 255.

HSB

Hue-Saturation-Brightness: eight bits each, represented as an unsigned byte, 0 to 255.

Hue: Color type (red, blue, etc.)

Ranges from 0 to 360 degrees of a color wheel.

red 0 yellow 59

green 120 cyan 179blue 240 magenta 301

Saturation: Intensity of color

Ranges from 0% to 100%.

0% is no color, a shade of grey between black and white.

100% is an intense color.

Brightness(or value): Amount of white in the color

Ranges from 0% to 100%.

0% is black.

100% is white or a more or less saturated color.

Color Selection Square (Rectangle): Click to choose a color.

Luminance Slider: Shade of color

Hexadecimal value: #000000 to #FFFFFF (RGB or HSB).

Alpha Percentage: Ranges from 0% to 100%.

Three Special Buttons: Black/White, No Color, and Swap Stroke and Fill.

Select a Color from Elsewhere:

Click and drag on the fill (or stoke) icon in the Color Mixer Panel.Color can be chosen from outside of Flash, say a Web page or an image.

When the mouse (an eyedropper) is released, the color it is over becomes the fill color.


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Save a Custom Color

Options menu!Add Swatch

Swatch is placed below existing swatches in the Color Swatches Panel.

Alternatively, switch to the Color Swatches Panel and click in the region belowthe existing swatches (pointer is a paint bucket.).

Click on Stroke icon or Fill icon

Produces Color Swatches

216 web-safe colors

Swatches that we have added

Some gradient swatches

Color Picker Button (on right at top): Produces different panels on PCs and Macs.

Color Swatches Panel

Options Menu

Delete swatch

Web 216

Sort by Color

Save Colors

Replace Colors

GradientsColoring effect that blends bands of color into each other.

Linear gradients: Straight left-to right, which can be rotated to otherorientations (see Gradient Transform tool).

Radial gradients: Bands of color that begin in the center of a circle and radiate outward.

Six gradient swatches reside on the Color Swatches Panel.

Custom Gradients

Enter the Color Mixer Panel.

Choose Linear or Radial from the Type menu.

Current gradient shows in rectangle at the bottom of the Panel.

Above the sample is a narrow rectangle that acts as a slider with two pointers,a dark pointer and a light pointer.

The pointers can be moved and even reversed.

Change Pointer Color

Select pointer (its arrowhead is black).


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ActionScript

Code is executed when an event occurs:

Movie clip is loaded.

Keyframe on timeline is entered (a frame event).

User clicks a button.

We write an event handler to respond to the event with an action.

Two groups of code

Scripts for events that occur on the timeline.

Scripts for object instances (buttons, movie clips, and components).

Write code in

Actions Panel (alt+F9)

Script window (File!New and select ActionScript File) creates a file

with an asextension.Actions Panel

Script Pane: Write code here.

Actions Toolbox: List of language elements.

Script Navigator: Clickable tree showing elements that have scripts.

Tab at bottom left of Script Pane shows the element the current script is attached to.

Note that a timeline Keyframe with a script has a littleaon it.

Add an item to a script (Double-click item or drag it to Actions Pane)

Item from Actions ToolboxItem from menu below plus sign

Options Menu

Go to Line

Find and Replace (ctrl+f)

Auto Format (ctrl+shift+F)

Check Syntax (ctrl+t)

Print

Hidden Characters (ctrl+shift+8)

Preferences (ctrl+u)Import Script (ctrl+shift+I)

Export Script (ctrl+shift+X)

Example: Script for Frame 1.

Button with a script.

Script for Frame 20.


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Global Variables

Visible to every timeline and symbol in document.

Creating:

_global.gName = "Herky";

Can be hidden by timeline variables and local variables in inner scopes, but canalways be accessed using_global.gName.

Global variables cannot be typed because they are created without the varkeyword.

Timeline Variables

Visible to any script on that particular timeline (all layers).

Creating:

vartName = 66;

Local Variables

Visible only in the method where they are declared using var.

Can hide Global variables and Timeline variables.

Actionscript does not allow anonymous blocks (braces not belonging to a method).

Declaring Variables

Untyped (can be assigned any kind of value):

varx;

Typed:varn:Number;

vars:String;

With Initialization:

vary = 123;

varz:Boolean = true;

Identifiers

Names of variables, methods, classes, etc.Rule: A letter, underscore, or dollar sign followed by zero or more letters,

digits, underscores, and dollar signs.

Avoid the Reserved Words: 51+12 Keywords and 93 Class and Interface names.

Avoid several predefined constants: true,false, null, undefined


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Primitive Data Types

Boolean

Values: trueandfalse

Number

Digits with an optional sign in front, an optional decimal point, andan optional exponent using eor E.

Number is an integer if no decimal point and no exponent.

Number.MAX_VALUE: 1.79769e308

Number.MIN_VALUE: 4.940546e-324

String

Sequence of Unicode characters delimited by quote symbols or apostrophes.

undefined

One value: undefined

Value of uninitialized variables.

null

One value: null

Means "no value".

Default data type for all classes that define complex data types except Object.

Complex Data Types

Object

Base class for all class definitions.MovieClip

Its methods are used to to control Movie Clips.

Array

Used to type arrays.

Void

One value: void

Used to designate the return type of methods that return no value.


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Coercion

In the absence of typed declarations, primitive type values are coerced if possible.

If not possible, the value NaNis produces.

Without typed declarations, ActionScript has dynamic typing and virtually notype checking.

Examples

varn = 12;

varb = true;

vars = "abc";

varsd = "123";

if(n) trace(true); // true

elsetrace(false);

if(s) trace(true); // trueelsetrace(false);

trace(sd-5); // 118

trace(s-5); // NaN

trace(b+100); // 101

With typed declarations, ActionScript has static typing so that errors are caughtby the compiler and reported in the Output Panel.

Trace Method

The method trace takes one parameter, converts it to a string, and prints it inthe Output Panel, which automatically appears.

This Output Panel also appears if you script has a syntax error.The error will be reported in the Panel.

Example: Prime Number Tester

Scene 1

A text string: Prime Number Tester

A text string: Enter an integer

An input text field (Text Tool) surrounded by a rectangle; instance nameof field is testNum.

A Button Symbol with the message "Test Number" and an ActionScript:


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on(release){

varprime:Boolean;

varnum:Number = Number(testNum.text);

if(isNaN(num) || num==1){prime = false;

}else{

if(num == 2)prime = true;

else if(num % 2 == 0)prime = false;

else

{prime = true;

vardiv:Number = 3;

while(div


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Dynamic Text (and Input Text)

Two ways to access contents:

Instance name: abc

Var: xyzBoth must be ActionScript identifiers.

Access text

abc.text = "Herky";

xyz = "Hawk";

Buttons on Properties Panel

Selectable (can be copied and pasted)

Render as HTML

Show border around textExample

Keyframes at 1, 20, and 40 that change the value of a dynamic text field.

Input Text

Additional field in Properties Panel: Maximum characters

Movie Clip Control

ActionScript code can be used to control the execution of a Movie Clip.

Example1. From Keyframe 1 to Keyframe 20 have a word (Herky) move from off the stage to

the center using a Motion Tween.

2. From Keyframe 20 to Keyframe 30 have the word rotate once: Create a MotionTween in the Properties Panel and select Rotate: CW.

3. On Keyframe 30 enter code: gotoAndPlay(20);What if we stretch or compress the tweens? Keyframe 20 may no longer be the beginningof the rotation action.

4. Select Keyframe 20 and enter a Frame label "Start Loop". Change the code atKeyframe 30 to gotoAndPlay("Start Loop");


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Buttons to Control Action

Continue Example

5. Create a new layer called Buttons so we do not affect the existing tweens.6. Create a Button Symbol and place two instances of it on the stage, one with label"Start" and one with "Stop".7. Add code for Start button

on (press){ play(); }

8. Add code for Stop buttonon (press){ stop(); }

9. On Keyframe 1 of either layer (or a new one) enterstop();

Put All Code on Timeline

Continue Example

10. Remove code from two buttons.11. Give each button an instance name, say startand stop.12. Add a layer called Actions.13. Enter this code on Keyframe 1 of the Actions layer.

stop();

start.onPress = function(){ play(); }

stop.onPress = function(){ stop(); }

Note that these two functions have no names; they are anonymous functions.

Nested Movie Clips

Flash documents typically have Movie Clip instances on their main timeline.

These Movie Clips may have other Movie Clip instances inside of themselves, and so on.Example

1. Create a spoked wheel; Draw a circle with one line bisecting it. Use Transform Panel,Rotate 60 with "Copy and apply transform" button.

2. Change the color of several of the spokes so the motion can be seen.3. Convert drawing to a Movie Clip Symbol called Wheel.


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4. Select the instance of Wheel and convert it to a Movie Clip Symbol calledRotatingWheel.

5. Edit RotatingWheel, which contains a Wheel Symbol inside of it.6. Place a Keyframe at from 30 and create a Motion Tween, selecting CW from the Rotate

menu in the Properties Panel.

7. Place another RotatingWheel instance on the stage and draw a car over the two wheels.Select all and create a Movie Clip Symbol called Car.

8. Add a new layer (Buttons) and place two instances of a Button Symbol on the newlayer.

9. On one button enter the codeon (press){ stop(); }

and try the movie (the wheels do not stop).

10.

On the other button enter the codeon (press){ play(); }

11. Edit the Car Symbol. Give instance names to the two RotatingWheels, sayfrontWheeland backWheel. Give the Car instance a name, say car.

12. Select the stop button and change the code toon (press){

stop();car.frontWheel.stop();

car.backWheel.stop();}

13. Select the start button and start a new line below play();Click "Insert a target path" button (a circle over a cross) and choose car!backWheel.Then type "play();".Do the same with frontWheel to get the following code.

on (press){

play();this.car.frontWheel.play();

this.car.backWheel.play();}


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Bouncing Ball

This example is designed to show how to complete the next project.

Example

1. Draw a green disk on the stage and convert it to a Movie Clip Symbol calledGreenBall.

2. Movie Clip Symbols recognize a number of predefined properties such as _x, _y,_width, and _height. By altering the _xand _yproperties, we can cause the MovieClip Symbol to move across the stage.

3. Just as Buttons respond to events (pressand release), Movie Clips respond to eventssuch as load, enterFrame, mouseDown, keyDown, among others.

4. In the same way we handle Button events with an oncommand, we handle MovieClip events with an onClipEventcommand.

5. Add the following code to the instance of GreenBall.onClipEvent (load)

{

speedX = 8;

}

onClipEvent (enterFrame) // executed as each frame is entered{

_x = _x + speedX;}

The ball will move horizontally across the stage, continuing off the right side.6. To get the ball to bounce against the right edge to the stage, change the code as follows.

onClipEvent (enterFrame){

_x = _x + speedX;

if(_x >= 550){

_x = 550; // bring back to the edgespeedX = -speedX; // change directions

}

Problem: Ball misses the edge by a little because the _xproperty is the registrationpoint of the Movie Clip instance (the plus sign) usually at the center of the object.


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7. Assuming the registration point is at the center of the disk, change the code as follows.onClipEvent (enterFrame){

_x = _x + speedX;

if(_x + _width/2 >= 550){

_x = 550 - _width/2;speedX = -speedX;

}

8. Now the ball bounces correctly on the right but continues forever moving to the leftoff the stage. Another problem is that if we change the dimensions of the stage, the550 numeral in the code may no longer be accurate. The next version of the codesolves both of these problems.

onClipEvent (enterFrame){

_x = _x + speedX;if(_x + _width/2 >= Stage.width){

_x = Stage.width - _width/2;speedX = -speedX;

}

elseif(_x - _width/2


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History Panel

Records each action taken as you create a Flash document.

Window!Other Panels!History (ctrl+F10)Default: History Panel stores 100 actions, a number that can be altered in Flash Preferences.Options Menu (or right button click)

Replay Steps (also a button at bottom of panel).

Copy Steps (also a button at bottom of panel).

Save As Command (also a button at bottom of panel).

Clear History (no undo).

View (Arguments in Panel or JavaScript in Panel).

Example

Make a rectangle Movie Clip Symbol.Replay commands.

Save As Command.

Redo it.

Add a text field.

Choose View!Arguments in Panel.

Choose View!JavaScript in Panel.

Drag arrow in History Panel up.

Then drag it back down.

CopyPasteMove

On History Panel choose View!Arguments in Panel.

Place a colored disk on the stage.

Select the disk.

Edit!Copy (ctrl+c).

Edit!Paste (shift+ctrl+V).

Move object to the left about 100 pixels.Select last three commands from History Panel.

Select Save As Command and name the command "CopyAndMove".

Use the new command: Commands!CopyAndMove.

This behavior is essentially the same as the Edit!Duplicate (ctrl+d) command.


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Managing Commands

Commands!Manage Saved Commands

Select a command.

The command may be renamed or deleted.

CenterOnStage

Select an object on the stage.

In Align Panel, click To Stage modifier, click Align horizontal center,and click Align vertical center.

Select the last two actions in the History Panel and Save As Command withthe name "CenterOnStage".

This new command can be very useful.

FiltersAccessed by a tab on the Properties Panel.

Filters can be applied to a Symbol instance(Button or Movie Clip only) or to a text object.

Procedure

Open Filters Panel.

Select the object to be altered.

Select a filter to apply using the Add filter button menu.

Use the Remove filter button to delete the chosen filter.

The Add filter button also allows Remove All, Enable All, and Disable All.

More than one filter may be applied to an object.

The order of filter application may make a difference.

Blur Filter

This filter blurs the entire content of the instance.

Parameters allow more or less blurring in the x or y direction.

ExampleEnter some fairly large text, say "Flash Filters" with a sans serif 40 point font.

Select the Blur filter.

Place a Keyframe at frame 40 and change the Blur x and Blur y values to zero there.

Place a motion tween between Keyframe 1 and Keyframe 40.

Change Blur x and Blur y values to 70 at Keyframe 1.

To reduce flicker in the tween, change the Quality value to High at both Keyframes.


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Example

Create a Movie Clip Symbol from a blue rectangle.

Apply the Bevel filter to an instance of the Symbol.

Options: Blur x, Blur y, Strength, Quality, Angle, Distance, Type, and Knockout.

Note: A negative distance reversed the bevel, which can be useful in showinga button press.

Do the same thing with large colored text.

Gradient Glow and Gradient Bevel Filters

These filters are essentially the same as the Glow and Bevel filters except that they allowa gradient color for the effects.

Adjust Color Filter

This filter provides tools for manipulating the color properties of the instance.Since instances made from drawings or text objects can be manipulated by other means,this filter is useful primarily for instances formed from a bitmap picture.

Slider Options: Brightness, Contrast, Saturation, and Hue.

Try an example on ajpeg,gif,png, or some other picture type.

Keypad Example

This example illustrates the use of buttons to produce and process data.

1. Create a new Button Symbol, called TheButton.

Up: Red square with a Bevel filter, Blur x, Blur y: 10 and Quality: High).

Over: Adjust Color filter, Brightness - 35.

Down: Remove Adjust Color filter and change Bevel Distance to -5.

2. Place four buttons on the stage in a horizontal row. Give them instance names,one, two, three, andfour. Call this layer "Buttons".

3. On an new layer, called "Labels", above the Buttons layer, enter four digits,1, 2, 3, and 4, on top of the buttons using Arial 18 point bold black font.

4. Build another Button Symbol, called ResetButton,

Up: Blue rectangle with a Bevel filter, Blur x, Blur y: 8 and Quality: High).

Over: Add a Glow filter with Strength: 190% and Color: White.

Down: Remove Glow filter and change Bevel Distance to -5.

5. Place one of the ResetButton Symbols on the stage with the instance name reset.

6. On the Labels layer, enter "Reset" over the new button using Arial 18 pointbold white font.


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Conversion Functions

These functions can be used to convert values from one primitive type to another.

parseFloat : String"Number

parseInt : String"

NumberNumber : String"Number

toString : Number"String (an instance method)String : Number"String

Number : Boolean"Number

Boolean : Number"Boolean

Boolean : String"Boolean

toString : Boolean"String (an instance method)

String : Boolean"String

The three conversion functions, Number, Boolean, and String, can be appliedto values of any type, resulting in some kind of value no matter what.

Number Function

Parameter Result

undefined 0

null 0

Boolean 1 if true, 0 if false

Number string Equivalent number if string is a properlyformatted number

"Infinity" Infinity

"-Infinity" -Infinity

"NaN" NaN

Other strings NaN

Array NaNObject Result from applying

valueOf() to the object

Movieclip NaN


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String Function

Parameter Result

undefined ""

null "null"

Boolean "true" if true, "false" if false

NaN "NaN"

Numeric value String representationof the number

Infinity " Infinity"

-Infinity " -Infinity"

Array Comma-separated list of array values

Object Result from applyingtoString() to the object

Movieclip Path to movie clip instance

Boolean Function

Parameter Result

undefined false

null false

NaN false

0 false

Infinity true

-Infinity true

Other numeric value true

Empty string false

Nonempty string true

Array true

Object true

Movieclip true


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Object Oriented Programming in ActionScript

Classes

Classes are syntactic units used to define objects. A class may contain instance variables, which will occur in each instance of the

class, instance methods, which can be executed by objects of the class, and oneconstructor, which is called automatically when an object is created using new.

Classes may also have class variables and class methods, but these belong to theclass itself and have no direct effect on the objects. ActionScript does not allowfinalas a modifier.

A class must be defined in a file of its own using the name of the class as the filename and using asas the extenstion. The following example will be defined inthe fileMyClass.as.

class MyClass

{private var value : Number;

public function MyClass(n : Number){ value = n; }

public functionperform(m : Number) : Void{

for(vark:Number = 1; k


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The following code might appear in a Flash document. If so, the class fileMyClass.as must be in the same directory as the Flash document.

var first : MyClass = newMyClass(5);

varsecond : MyClass = newMyClass(3);first.perform(6);

Prints:6 12 18 24 30

second.perform(-4);

Prints:-4 -8 -12

Constructors

A constructor is a method that is called automatically when an object is created. If the programmer supplies no constructor, a default constructor with noparameters is provided. This default constructor disappears if the programmer writes a constructor in the class. A class can have at most one constructor since ActionScript does not support the

overloading of methods.

In a constructor, super() calls a constructor of its superclass with the given parameters.

Inheritance

A new class can be defined as a subclass of an existing class using the extendskeyword. Then every object of the new subclass will have copies of the instance variables from its

superclass (and its superclass and so on) as well as its own instance variables.

It can also call instance methods defined in its superclass. Any method in the superclass can be overridden (re-defined) by writing a method

in the subclass with the same signature.

Any class definition without an extends clause is a subclass of Object by default. A variable of the superclass type may refer to an object of its class or an object of

any of its subclasses.

If an overridden method is called on a variable of the superclass, the class of the objectreferred to determines which version of the overridden method will be executed. Thisproperty is known as polymorphism or dynamic binding.

In an instance method, the identifier thisrefers to the object, the receiver, that iscurrently executing the instance method.

The identifier supercan be used to access instance methods (and variables) that havebeen overridden (and shadowed) in the subclass.


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Polymorphism Example

Define a collection of classes representing geometric solids and including a method forcomputing their volumes.

The superclass provides a String instance variable for identification and a volume methodto be overriden.

classSolid{ // File: Solid.as

private var kind : String;

public functiongetKind() : String{ returnkind; }

public functionvolume() : Number // This code is never executed{ return0.0; }

}

class Sphere extendsSolid{ // File: Sphere.asprivate varradius : Number;

public function Sphere(r : Number){

radius = r;kind = "Sphere";

}

public functionvolume() : Number{ return4.0/3.0*Math.PI*radius*radius*radius;}

}

classCube extendsSolid{ // File: Cube.as

private varlength : Number;

public functionCube(g : Number){

length = g;kind = "Cube";

}

public functionvolume() : Number{ returnlength*length*length; }

}

classCone extendsSolid{ // File: Cone.as

private var radius : Number;private varaltitude : Number;


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public function Cone(r : Number, a : Number){

radius = r;altitude = a;kind = "Cone";

}public function volume() : Number{ returnMath.PI*radius*radius*altitude/3.0; }

}

To make use of Solid and its subclasses, create a Flash document with the followingActionScript code at Keyframe 1. Its file must be in the same directory as Solid.as, Sphere.as,Cube.as, and Cone.as. Save it before you try to test it.

varlist : Array = newArray(6); // View as an array of Solid

list[0] = newCube(10);

list[1] = newCube(5);

list[2] = newSphere(10);list[3] = newSphere(8);

list[4] = newCone(3, 5);list[5] = newCone(8, 2);

for(vark:Number=0; k


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Interfaces

An interface is a class-like mechanism that provides a specification of behavior (thesyntax) that classes must implement to make the behavior available. It contains onlypublic instance method headers (no bodies). Variables of any kind are not allowed.

No objects can be instantiated directly from an interface. A class implementsaninterface by giving complete definitions of all of the methods in the interface. Then a variable declared of the interface type can be made to refer to such an object that

implements the interface.

Polymorphism can be performed with a group of classes that implement a commoninterface.

interfacePrintable{ // File: Printable.as

functionprintNum(n : Number) : Void;}

classFirstImpl implementsPrintable{ // File: FirstImpl.as

private varname : String;

public functionFirstImpl(s : String){ name = s; }

public functionprintNum(n : Number) : Void{

trace(name + " prints " + n);}

}

classSecondImpl implementsPrintable{ // File: SecondImpl.as

private varID : Number;

public functionSecondImpl(n : Number){ ID = n; }

public functionprintNum(n : Number) : Void{

trace("Number" + ID + " prints " + n);}

}

To make use of Printable and its implementations, create a Flash document with thefollowing ActionScript code at its first Keyframe. It file must be in the same directory asPrintable.as, FirstImpl.as, and SecondImpl.as, and must be saved before it is tested.

varfi : FirstImpl = newFirstImpl("Claude");

varsi : SecondImpl = newSecondImpl(55);


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varprinter1 : Printable = fi;

varprinter2 : Printable = si;

printer1.printNum(13);

printer2.printNum(-99);

Output

Claude prints 13

Number55 prints -99

Symbols as Classes

Movie Clip Symbols and Buttons Symbols can be viewed as classes that are instantiatedwhen they are placed on the stage.

Example

Create a green ball as a Movie Clip Symbol, called GreenBall.

This operation implies a class definition of the form:

classGreenBall extendsMovieClip{ }

Put an instance of GreenBall on the stage, calling itgreen.

We can provide properties (instance variables) and behavior (instance methods)for thegreeninstance using ActionScript in the Timeline.

green.dx = 8;

green.dy = 4;

green.move = function(){

green._x = green._x + green.dx;

green._y = green._y + green.dy;}

Control the animation using frame events attached to the main timeline Movie Clip,which is referred to by the global variable _root.

_root.onLoad = function(){

green.dx = 8;

green.dy = 4;}


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_root.onEnterFrame = function(){

green.move();

green.checkBounds();

green.checkHit(); // dealt with later}

The decision making for bouncing off of the edges of the stage is encapsulatedin an instance method checkBoundsfor the object namedgreen.

Actually, the _rootobject is redundant, which onEnterFrameresponds to the maintimeline MoveClip.

green.checkBounds = function() // Assumes registration point{ // of the ball is at its center

if(green._x + green._width/2 >= Stage.width) // right edge{

green._x = Stage.width - green._width/2;green.dx = -green.dx;

}else if(green._x - green._width/2 = Stage.height) // bottom edge{

green._y = Stage.height - green._height/2;

green.dy = -green.dy;}else if(green._y - green._height/2


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myStart.onPress = function(){

green.dx = green.saveX;

green.dy = green.saveY;

}We have added four instance variables (dx, dy, saveX, saveY) to the object namedgreen,which also has access to instance variables (_x, _y,_width, _height, among others) inheritedfrom its superclass MovieClip.

Add a blue Square Symbol instance to the stage. Make it 150 by 150 pixels.Call its instance square.

Problem: We want the green ball to bounce off of the blue square.

Hit Test

Instance method in MovieClip:hitTest : Object#Boolean

When the MovieClip squareand the objectgreenoverlap,

square.hitTest(green) returns true.

Add an instance method:

green.checkHit = function(){

if (square.hitTest(green)){

green.dx = - green.dx;green.dy = - green.dy;

}}

Problem: This behavior is not the way a ball bounces.

When the ball hits the left side or the right side of the square,only the dxvalue should reverse.

When the ball hits the top side or the bottom side of the square,only the dyvalue should reverse.

Solution: Test whether the ball is within |dx| distance of the left or right side ofthe square and whether it is within |dy| distance of the top or bottom of the square.

The one-dimensional distance between two points is |x1- x2|.

The new version of the checkHitinstance methods follows.


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green.checkHit = function(){ // Assumes registration points are at centers of symbols

if(square.hitTest(green)){

if(Math.abs((green._x green._width/2)

(square._x + square._width/2))


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Example: MySounds.fla

Import the following sounds to the stage: crash.wavand Huntingdon.mp3.

At Keyframe 1 play the crash sound.

At Keyframe 10 (create it) make a Sound object for Huntingdon.mp3 and placefive buttons on the stage: start, stop, continu, louder, softer.

Enter the follow code at Keyframe 10.

snd = newSound();snd.attachSound("Huntingdon.mp3"); // Remember Export for ActionScriptsnd.setVolume(50);stop();

start.onRelease = function(){

snd.stop();snd.start();}

stop.onRelease = function(){

pos = snd.position/1000;

snd.stop();}

continu.onRelease = function(){ snd.start(pos); }

louder.onRelease = function(){

level = snd.getVolume();

level = Math.min(100,level+5);

snd.setVolume(level);

trace(level);}

softer.onRelease = function(){

level = snd.getVolume();level = Math.max(0,level-5);

snd.setVolume(level);

trace(level);}


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Handling Key Strokes

ActionScript provides several ways to recognize key presses.

Events shared by MovieClip and Button Classes

onPress onDragOveronRelease onDragOut

onReleaseOutSide onKeyDown

onRollOver onKeyUp

Example: MyEvents.fla

Place a blue rectangle MovieClip instance on the center of the stage and call it box.

To get the boxobject to recognize key presses, the focus needs to be set on the box.

Enter the following ActionScript code at KeyFrame 1.box.useHandCursor = false; // otherwise cursor changes to a hand over box

box.focusEnabled = true;

Selection.setFocus(box);

box.onRollOver = function(){ trace('RollOver'); }

box.onRollOut = function(){ trace('RollOut'); }

box.onReleaseOutside = function(){ trace('ReleaseOutSide'); }

box.onRelease = function(){ trace('Release');

Selection.setFocus(box);}

box.onDragOver = function(){ trace('DragOver'); }

box.onDragOut = function()

{ trace('DragOut'); }

box.onPress = function()

{ trace('Press'); }box.onKeyDown = function(){ trace('KeyDown'); }

box.onKeyUp = function(){ trace('KeyUp'); }


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Since any object can serve as the key listener, we can write the last part of the code usingthe _rootobject as the key listener.

_root.onKeyDown = function(){

trace("Key down");}

_root.onKeyUp = function(){

trace("Key up");trace(" Ascii = " + Key.getAscii());trace(" Code = " + Key.getCode());trace(" " + String.fromCharCode(Key.getCode()));

}

Key.addListener(_root);

The Key class has 18 predefined constants for special keys.

Key.BACKSPACE 8

Key.SPACE 32

Key.UP 38

Key.DOWN 40

Key.LEFT 37

Key.RIGHT 39

Key.SHIFT 16Key.TAB 9

Key.ENTER 13

Key.CONTROL 17

Key.ESCAPE 27

Key.END 35

Key.CAPSLOCK 20

Key.DELETEKEY 46

Key.HOME 36

Key.INSERT 45

Key.PGDN 34

Key.PGUP 33


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Example: Arrows.fla

Place an instance of a GreenBall Movie Clip Symbol on the stage and call itgreen.

In this example we want to move the ball left and right, up and down, under controlof the four arrow keys on the keyboard.

When the ball reaches the edge of the stage, have it disappear and then reappear onthe opposite edge of the stage.

Enter the following ActionScript code at KeyFrame 1.

onLoad = function(){

green.dx = 5;green.dy = 8;

}

onEnterFrame = function(){

if(Key.isDown(Key.LEFT)){

newx = green._x-green.dx;

if(newx = Stage.width){ newx = newx-Stage.width; }green._x = newx;

}if(Key.isDown(Key.UP)){

newy = green._y-green.dy;

if(newy = Stage.height){ newy = newy-Stage.height; }green._y = newy;

}}


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Array Class

Arrays in ActionScript are nonhomogenous since you can put values of anytype into them.

They are dynamic in the sense that they can grow at runtime.

There appears to be no way to type the elements of an array as a means of gettingstrong type checking for array elements.

Array Creation

vara : Array = newArray(); // an empty array

b = newArray(4); // an array with 4 undefinedvalues

c = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]; // an array literal

d = ["abc", 2+2, Math.PI, 'xyz']; // arrays can be nonhomogeneous

e = newArray(["a", "b", "c"]);

f = [[1,2,3],[4,5,6]]; // a two dimensional array

g = newArray(['A','B'], ['Y','Z']); // a two dimensional array

Output (result of toString())

trace(a); none

trace(b); undefined,undefined,undefined,undefined

trace(c); 1,2,3,4,5

trace(d); abc,4,3.14159265358979,xyz

trace(e); a,b,ctrace(f); 1,2,3,4,5,6

trace(g); A,B,Y,Z

for(k=0; k


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In the following definitions, the regular expression modifiers apply to theentire parameter.

Array Instance Methods

push(v : Object

+

) : Number Adds one or more elements to the end of this arrayand returns the new length of the array.

pop() : Object Removes the last element from this array andreturns the value of that element.

unshift(v : Object+) : Number Adds one or more elements to the beginning ofthis array and returns the new length of the array.

shift() : Object Removes the first element from this array andreturns the value of that element.

reverse() : Void Reverses this array in place.

slice(startindex : Number?,endindex : Number?) : Array

Returns a new array consisting of a range ofelements from this array without modifying thisarray; the returned array includes the startindexelement and all elements up to but not includingtheendindexelement. Negative index values aremeasured from the end of the array.

toString() : String Returns a string containing all of the elements ofthis array separated by commas.

concat(v : Object*) : Array Concatenates the elements specified by parameterto the end of this array and returns it withoutchanging this array.

join(delimiter : String?) : String Returns a string containing all of the elements ofthis array separated by the delimiter or bycommas if no delimiter.

splice(startindex : Number,

deleteCount : Number?,v : Object?) : Array

Adds element to and removes elements from this

array by modifying the array; deleteCountis thenumber of elements removed at the startindexposition; the elements specified by the thirdparameter are inserted at this point; the returnvalue is an array of the elements removed; if thedeleteCountparameter is omitted, all elementsfrom startindexto the end are delete.


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Stack Behavior

Usepushandpop.

Queue BehaviorUsepushand shift.

Examples

h = c.concat();

i = c.concat(e,e);

trace(h); 1,2,3,4,5

trace(i); 1,2,3,4,5,a,b,c,a,b,c

trace(c); 1,2,3,4,5

trace(c.join("; ")); 1; 2; 3; 4; 5

trace(c.reverse()); 5,4,3,2,1

trace(c); 5,4,3,2,1

x = ["bat", "cat", "elk", "emu", "fox", "owl","rat", "yak"];

y = x.slice(1,4);

trace(y); cat,elk,emu

trace(x); bat,cat,elk,emu,fox,owl,rat,yak

z = x.splice(2, 3);

trace(x); bat,cat,owl,rat,yak

trace(z); elk,emu,fox

w = x.splice(3, 0, z);

trace(x); bat,cat,owl,elk,emu,fox,rat,yak

trace(w); none

The sliceand spliceoperations did not always work correctly for mewhen applied to the array resulting from an application of concat.


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We need to convert a Flash angle into the XY-coordinate system.

Letflangbe the Flash angle.

Let degreesbe the mathematical angle in the XY-coordinate system.

Then degrees = flang - 90;

Consider a vector in the XY-coordinate system.

The motion is from A to B.

Vector: angle = !

speed = length of vector = distance from A to B.

Translate to dx, dy

sin != dy/speed

cos != dx/speed

dx = speed cos !

dy = speed sin !

Problem: Math.sin and Math.cos in ActionScript expect angles to be in radians.

Conversion

180 is equivalent to "radians

degrees/180 = radians/"

radians = " degrees / 180


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Suppose a MovieClip object has the following properties:

speed

direction (in degrees)

dx

dySuppose the speedand directionare known. We want to compute the dxand dy.

functionturn(mc : MovieClip){

degrees = mc.direction - 90;

radians = Math.PI * degrees / 180; // convert to radians

mc.dx = mc.speed * Math.cos(radians);mc.dy = mc.speed * Math.sin(radians);

}

Problem: We turn the object by altering the direction property, say +5 or -5.If we want to display the direction, we want the value to be between 0 and 360.

Each time we add or subtract 5, the result should be calculated modulo 360, whichis the positive remainder on dividing by 360.

Note: The sine and cosine functions don't care about the magnitude of the angle; theywork just as well with negative angles and angles above 360.

Problem: The remainder operator (%) in ActionScript does not compute the modulofunction correctly.

Example: Divide by 4

n n%4 mod(n, 4)5 1 14 0 03 3 32 2 21 1 10 0 0-1 -1 3-2 -2 2-3 -3 1

-4 0 0-5 -1 3

Solution: When the remainder is negative, add the divisor to it.

functionmod(num, div){

r = num % div;returnr


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Example: TurningCar.fla

Create a small MovieClip object that looks like a car seen from above.

Place it on the stage pointing NorthEast with the instance name car.

When the carobject reaches the edge of the stage, it continues on the opposite edge.

Control: Left arrow Rotate car 5 counterclockwise.Right arrow Rotate car 5 clockwise.

Up arrow Increase speed by 1.

Down arrow Decrease speed by 1.

The car has a maximum speed of 15. Of course, the minimum speed is 0.


car.speed = 0;car.direction = 45; // degrees

car.maxSpeed = 15;


checkKeys();

turn(car);

move(car);}

functioncheckKeys(){

if(Key.isDown(Key.UP)){car.speed = Math.min(car.speed+1, car.maxSpeed);

}

if(Key.isDown(Key.DOWN)){

car.speed = Math.max(car.speed-1,0);}

if(Key.isDown(Key.RIGHT)){

car.direction = mod(car.direction+5, 360);

}if(Key.isDown(Key.LEFT)){

car.direction = mod(car.direction-5, 360);}

}


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functionturn(mc : MovieClip){

degrees = mc.direction - 90;radians = Math.PI *degrees / 180;mc.dx = mc.speed *Math.cos(radians);mc.dy = mc.speed *Math.sin(radians);

}

functionmove(mc : MovieClip){

mc._x = mc._x + mc.dx;mc._y = mc._y + mc.dy;

mc._rotation = mc.direction;

if(mc._x > Stage.width){ mc._x = 0; }

if(mc._x < 0){ mc._x = Stage.width; }

if (mc._y > Stage.height){ mc._y = 0; }

if(mc._y < 0){ mc._y = Stage.height; }

}

functionmod(num, div){

r = num % div;returnr


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Put this code in a Flash document.

b = newBox();

b.size = 10; // legal now

When a class has the dynamicmodifier, properties may be added to its objects

outside of its class definition.Recommendation: Dynamic classes are considered poor OOP design, although thisusage is found in Flash code frequently. A better approach would be to use a subclassof the class to add a property.

The MovieClip, Array, and Object classes are defined as dynamic.

Subclasses of dynamic classes are normally dynamic.

But subclasses of MovieClip and Object are notdynamic, by default.

Kinds of Variables in Classes

property An instance variable defined in the class and found in eachobject of the class.

class property A class variable defined in the class and belonging to theclass itself.

dynamic property An instance variable defined outside of the class definition;it belongs to only one object, the one it is defined for.

Visibility Modifiers

public and private

No modifier on a member of a class means that it is public.

ActionScript does not allowfinalas a modifier.

Viewing Properties

Change the Box class to read as follows.

dynamic classBox{

varwidth : Number = 25;

varheight : Number = 50;

vardescription : String = "red box";}

Consider this ActionScript code in a Flash document.

b = newBox();

trace(b.width); // prints 25

trace(b.height): // prints 50


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Alternate syntax

trace(b["width"]); // prints 25

fld = "height";

trace(b[fld]); // prints 50Contrast Syntax

With the syntax b.widthand b.height, the field (property) name must be static,which means it is known to the compiler).

With the syntax b["width"]and b[fld], the field (property) name can be dynamic,which means it may not be known until runtime.

Object Literals

ActionScript allows literal expressions that represent Object objects with dynamicproperties belong to this new object only.

varob : Object = {x:33, y:44, color:"blue", visible:false};

Displaying the Properties

for(prop : String inob){

trace("--------------------------------------------");

trace("Property name: " + prop);

trace("Property value: " + ob[prop]);}

trace("--------------------------------------------");

Output

-----------------------------------------Property name: xProperty value: 33-----------------------------------------Property name: yProperty value: 44-----------------------------------------Property name: color

Property value: blue-----------------------------------------Property name: visibleProperty value: false-----------------------------------------

Note: The ob[prop]syntax works only with dynamic properties.


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Array Example

playOffs = newArray();

playOffs.push("Red Sox", "Indians", "Rockies", "Diamondbacks");

for(team inplayOffs){

trace(playOffs[team]);}

Create a MovieClip Instance Dynamically

Create a MovieClip Symbol called Ball.

In the Properties window (Option menu or right-click in the Library Panel), select

Export for ActionScript

Use the MovieClip instance method attachMovieon the _rootobject.

public attachMovie(symbolLinkage : String, // name of the class (symbol)

instanceName : String,

depth : Number,

initObject : Object?) : MovieClip

The depthparameter is an integer that describes the level at which the instance will beplaced. Each instance on the stage must lie on a unique level. Either maintain a countervariable to ensure that different instances created dynamically lie on difference levelsor use the instance methodgetNextHighestDepth.

The initObjectparameter can be used to initialize the instance coming into existence,say by an anonymous object literal such as { _x : 100, _y : 150 }.

Removing a MovieClip

Global class method

removeMovieClip(instanceName);

MovieClip instance method

instanceName.removeMovieClip():

Returning to the example

Create an instance of Ball called theBall._root.attachMovie("Ball", "theBall", 10); or attachMovie("Ball", "theBall", 10);

Position the ball.

theBall._x = 200;

theBall._y = 130;


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eval Function

This function can be used to build an identifier dynamically that refers to an instance.

eval(expr : String) : Object

If expris a variable identifier or a property identifier (as a String), the value of thevariable or property is returned as the result.

If the item named in exprcannot be found, undefinedis returned.

Note that the evalfunction only returns an R-value.

Suppose we have three MovieClip objects, box1, box2, and box3.

Rotate each to 45.

for(k=1; k


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functionmove(){

_x = _x+dx;

_y = _y+dy;}

functionstop(){ dx = dy= 0; }

function start(){

dx = xspeed;dy = yspeed;

}

functioncheckBounds(){

if(_x + _width/2 >= Stage.width){ dx = -dx; }

if(_x - _width/2 = Stage.height){ dy = -dy; }

if(_y - _height/2


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Gravity

Gravity is a constant force acting to accelerate the downward velocity (dy) of an objectover time.

Since the positive direction ofyis down, we simply need to add a positive constant

to the downward velocity dyin each frame, the measure of time in Flash.Acceleration = Change in Velocity

Velocity = Change in Position

Relationships

position = velocity time + initialPosition

velocity = acceleration time + initialVelocity

Consider two points in time, t1and t2.

p2= v t2+ initialPosition

p1= v t1+ initialPosition

Subtract

p2- p1= v (t2- t1)

Let t2= t1+ 1.

p2= p1+ v

This corresponds to the command _x = _x + dx.

v2= a t2+ initialVelocity

v1= a t1+ initialVelocity

Subtract

v2- v1= a (t2- t1)

Let t2= t1+ 1.

v2= v1+ a

This corresponds to the command dx = dx + a.

Note: Both velocity and acceleration may be functions of time and not just constants.

Example: Gravity.fla

Create a MovieClip Symbol Ball and place one instance of it on the stage with thename ball.


ball.dx = 10;

ball.dy = 5;

gravity = 3;


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Example: GravityTrace.fla

Create a MovieClip Symbol in the shape of a cannon and place an instance of it inthe lower left corner of the stage with the instance namegun.

Create another MovieClip Symbol that is a small black disk and place an instance

of it behind the cannon with the instance name bullet.Place two dynamic text fields near the bottom edge of the state with the variablenames (Var: field) bullet.directionand bullet.speed.


gun.direction = 0;

gun.charge = 0;

gravity = 0.5;

onEnterFrame = function()

{ checkKeys(); move(bullet);}

functioncheckKeys(){


clear();gun._rotation = gun.direction = gun.direction - 2;

}

if(Key.isDown(Key.RIGHT))

{ clear();gun._rotation = gun.direction = gun.direction + 2;

}

if(Key.isDown(Key.UP)){

clear();gun.charge = gun.charge + 5;

}

if(Key.isDown(Key.DOWN)){

clear();gun.charge = gun.charge - 5;

}

if(Key.isDown(Key.SPACE)){

bullet._x = gun._x;bullet._y = gun._y;


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bullet.speed = gun.charge;

bullet.direction = gun.direction;

clear();

lineStyle(2,0x000000,100);

moveTo(gun._x, gun._y);

turn(bullet);}

}

functionturn(mc){

degrees = mc.direction -90;radians = degrees / 180 *Math.PI;mc.dx = mc.speed*Math.cos(radians);mc.dy = mc.speed*Math.sin(radians);

}

functionmove(mc){

mc._x = mc._x + mc.dx;mc._y = mc._y + mc.dy;

_root.lineTo(mc._x, mc._y);

if((mc._x > Stage.width) || (mc._x < 0) || (mc._y > Stage.height) ){

mc._x = -100; //stop mc and move it off stagemc._y = -100;

mc._speed = 0;mc.dx = 0;mc.dy = 0;lineStyle(0,0x000000,0); //turn off line drawing

}

mc.dy = mc.dy + gravity;}

Notes

A line drawing traces the path of the cannon ball using the methods lineStyle,moveTo, and lineTo.

The line drawing that traces the cannon ball path is erased (clear) whenever a keyis recognized by the code.

If the cannon passes through the left edge, the right edge, or the bottom of the stage,it is moved to position (-100, -100), which is off the stage, and it is stopped.

The top edge of the stage is no barrier at all. The cannon ball passed off the topof the stage and then returns if it has not met one of the edges.


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Using Dynamically Created Objects and an Array

Example: CursorTrail.fla

Create a MovieClip Symbol called Cursor that is a small red disk with a black border.



for(vark=0; k 10) trail.shift(); // keep only last 10 positions

for(vark=0; k


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Example: TimeTracer.as

Create an ActionScript file containing the following code.

The method startTimeDisplaytakes a reference to a dynamic text field as its parameter.

Note that newDate().toString()returns a string of the form:

Tue Nov 27 15:10:45 GMT-0600 2007

The displayTime method puts a new string of the form Tue Nov 27 15:10:45into thedynamic text field every second.

classTimeTracer{

private vartimerID : Number;

public functionstartTimeDisplay(disp) : Void{

varbegunAt : String = newDate().toString();

trace("Timer started at " + begunAt);timerID = setInterval(displayTime, 1000);

functiondisplayTime() : Void{

vars : String = newDate().toString();

varn : Number = s.indexOf("GMT");

disp.text = s.substring(0, n);}

}

public functionstopTimeDisplay() : Void{

clearInterval(timerID);}

}

Using TimeTracer: TryTimeTracer.fla

Create a dynamic text field, centered on the stage, with the instance name timeField.

Use a large font for the field.

Enter the following code at KeyFrame 1:

vartt : TimeTracer = newTimeTracer();tt.startTimeDisplay(timeField);

Enter the following code at KeyFrame 100:

tt.stopTimeDisplay();

stop();


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Using TimeTracer for an Analogue Clock

Add two methods to TimeTracer.as.

public functiongetHour() : Number{

return newDate().getHours(); // note names of Date methods}

public functiongetMinute() : Number{

return newDate().getMinutes();}

Flash Document: Clock.fla

Draw a clock face on the stage. Create arrow shaped MovieClip Symbols for the minutehand (minuteHand) and the hour hand (hourHand) with the rotation points at the base ofthe arrows.


var tt : TimeTracer = newTimeTracer();

tt.startTimeDisplay(null);


minute = tt.getMinute();

minuteHand._rotation = minute*6;

hourHand._rotation = (tt.getHour()%12)*30 + minute/2 ;}

Using Frame Count for Timing: WordServer.fla

In this example, the words of a sentence are displayed on the screen one at a time witha uniform delay.

Place a dynamic text field at the center of the stage using a large font, with the instancename display.



sentence = "Imagination is more important than knowledge";wordList = sentence.split(" "); // produces an array of strings

wordNum = 0;

frameDelay = 12;

frameCount = frameDelay; // prime for first word}


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with Command

The with command specifies an object in whose context a group of commandsis executed.

This context may apply to variables and methods in the group of commands.

with(obj : Object){commands

}

Example: FillWith.fla


createEmptyMovieClip("mc", 10);

with(mc){

lineStyle(4, 0x000000, 100);beginFill(0xff00cc);moveTo(50, 50);lineTo(150, 50);lineTo(150, 200);lineTo(50, 200);

endFill();}

Example: Lines.fla


createEmptyMovieClip("lines", 10);

lines.moveTo(Stage.width/2, Stage.height/2);

lines.lineStyle(6, 0xffff00, 100);

onMouseDown = function(){

lines.lineTo(_xmouse, _ymouse);}

onEnterFrame = function() // moves the MovieClip object{

if(Key.isDown(Key.SPACE)){lines._x = lines._x + 5;lines._y = lines._y + 5;

}}


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Example: Curves.fla


createEmptyMovieClip("curves", 10);

varframeCount = 0;onEnterFrame = function(){

color = (100000*frameCount) % 0x1000000; // 0x000000 to 0xffffffwith(curves){

lineStyle(2, color, 100);moveTo(100, 200);curveTo(_xmouse, _ymouse, 450, 200); // curve from (100,200) to (450,200)

}frameCount++;

}onMouseUp = function(){

curves.clear();}

Example: Snowflakes.fla

Set the background of the stage to a deep blue.


numSnowflakes = 50;

for(vark=0; k


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Duplicating a Movie Clip

The class MovieClip has an instance method that can be used to duplicate a MovieClipobject, the receiver of the method.

duplicateMovieClip(instanceName : String,depth : Number, initObj : Object?) : MovieClip

Note: There are two global functions for duplicating a MovieClip object, which shouldnot be confused with this instance method.

Example: Duplicate.fla


createEmptyMovieClip("box", 0);

varw : Number = 400;

varh : Number = 20;with(box){

lineStyle(4, 0x0000, 100);

beginFill(0x66ffff);

moveTo(50, 40);

lineTo(50+w, 40);

lineTo(50+w, 40+h);

lineTo(50, 40+h);

lineTo(50, 40);

endFill();}

trace(box);

varspacer : Number = 5;

varduplicate : MovieClip;

for(vark:Number=1; k


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Example: Particle.fla

Create a Movie Clip Symbol as a 80 by 80 pixel disk at the center of the stagewith a white to gray radial gradient.

Call the instance on the stageparticle.


for(vark : Number = 1; k


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2. Load the information.

lv.load("data"); // local file

lv.load("http://www.cs.uiowa.edu/~slonnegr/flash/data"); // web site

3. Notification of completed loading.

lv.onLoad = function(success){ trace("Load Complete: " + success); }

The Boolean parameter successwill be trueif the load was successful.

4. Display the values.

The names in the data file become instance variables in the LoadVars object lv.

trace(lv.username);

Example: LoadVars.fla

Place two buttons on the stage with the labels LOADVARS and SHOWVARS andthe instance names loadand show.


varready = false;

load.onRelease = function(){

lv = newLoadVars();

lv.load("data"); // OR

// lv.load("http://www.cs.uiowa.edu/~slonnegr/flash/data");

lv.onLoad = function(success){

trace("Load Complete: " + success);ready = success;

}}

show.onRelease = function(){

if(ready){

trace(lv.message); trace(lv.color);

trace(lv.passwd); trace(lv.username);}elsetrace("Variables not loaded yet.");

}


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Example: SendData.fla


sendVars = newLoadVars();

sendVars.username = "Claude";sendVars.age = 17;

sendVars.color = "gray";

sendVars.send("http://r-lnx233.cs.uiowa.edu:8888", "_self", "GET");

OR

sendVars.send(

"http://webdev.divms.uiowa.edu/slonnegr-tomcat4/ShowParams",

"_self", "GET");

When the request is sent to a Java server program running at port 8888 on the computerr-lnx233.cs.uiowa.edu, the result is the following web page.


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When the request is sent to a Java Servlet running on the computer webdev.divms.uiowa.edu,the result is the following web page.

I could not get a POST request to work correctly.

Shared Objects

Flash has a mechanism that allows an executing Flash movie to store and/or retrievelimited amounts of data on the user's computer similar to the way browser cookies

store data for web pages.Some possible uses of shared objects:

Store the user name and password on the local computer so it need not be typedby the user each time it is requested.

Store the high scores from the games played by the user on this machine. Store user preferences between sessions. Store local copies of data obtained from a web site so that web accesses can be

minimized.

The process begins with the creation of a StoredObject object using the class methodgetLocal.

varso : SharedObject = SharedObject.getLocal("foobar");

or

varso : SharedObject = SharedObject.getLocal("foobar", "/");

In the first version, the information stored can be accessed only by the same executingFlash movie.


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In the second version, the information stored can be accessed by all executingFlash movies on a particular computer.

By specifying other path names, accessibility falls between these two extremes.

The information to be stored and retrieved is accessed through an instance variable databelonging to the SharedObject object.

Example

Create a Flash document SharedObjectSave.flawith the following code at KeyFrame 1.

varso:SharedObject = SharedObject.getLocal("foobar","/");

so.data.nums = newArray(121, 143, 165, 187);

so.data.isHungry = false;

so.data.userName = "Claude";

so.data.ob = { x:33, y:55, z:77};

so.flush();

Theflushcommand forces the values to be saved locally, but closing the swffile will havethe same effect.

Create another Flash document SharedObjectRecall.flawith the following code atKeyFrame 1.

varso : SharedObject = SharedObject.getLocal("foobar","/");

trace(so.data.nums);

trace(so.data.isHungry);

trace(so.data.userName);

trace(so.data.ob.x);

trace(so.data.ob.y);

trace(so.data.ob.z);

Output

121,143,165,187falseClaude33

5577

Observe that information is stored in the local file using name-value pairs similarto attributes for the property dataof the SharedObject object.


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All the information stored in a particular SharedObject can be removed using the clearinstance method.

so.clear();

Example: SharedObjectLogin.fla

Create two input text fields with the instance names myLoginand myPasswdand labelthem appropriately.

Create four button with instance names saveButton, loadButton, clearButton, andresetButtonand with labels "Save", "Load", "Clear", and "Reset", respectively.


varmySO:SharedObject = SharedObject.getLocal("myCookie");

saveButton.onRelease = function(){

mySO.data.myLoginData = myLogin.text;

mySO.data.myPassword = myPasswd.text;mySO.flush();

}

loadButton.onRelease = function(){

myLogin.text = mySO.data.myLoginData;

myPasswd.text = mySO.data.myPassword;}

clearButton.onRelease = function(){

mySO.clear();}

resetButton.onRelease = function(){

myLogin.text = "";

myPasswd.text = "";}

When this movie is executed, we must click in each of the text fields before typing.

The problem of automatically moving the focus to the first text field and using the

tab key to move from field to field seems to have no easy solution.Here is a solution using the left and right arrow keys to put the focus in one or theother text field. It makes use of the Selection class.


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Enter the following ActionScript code above the previous code.

varlistener : Object = newObject();

listener.onKeyDown = function(){


Selection.setFocus(myLogin);}if(Key.isDown(Key.RIGHT)){

Selection.setFocus(myPasswd);}

}

Key.addListener(listener);

Creating Text Fields Dynamically

The MovieClip class has an instance method that can be used to create a text fielddynamically.

createTextField(instanceName : String,

depth : Number,

x : Number, y : Number, // position of upper-left corner

width : Number, height : Number) : TextField

A TextField object has a number of properties that can be altered to customize the text field.

Here are some of them.Property Default Value

type "dynamic"

border false

background false

multiline false

embedFonts false

selectable true

wordWrap truevariable null

maxChars null


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A text field created using the createTextFieldmethod receives a default TextFormatobject with the following settings (not default values for TextFormat).

Property Setting Comments

font "Times New Roman" "Times" on Mac OSsize 12

color 0x000000

bold false

italic false

underline false

url "" hyperlink for text in field

target "" _self, _blank

align "left" "center, "right", "justify"leftMargin 0

rightMargin 0

indent 0

leading 0

blockIndent 0

bullet false

kerning false

display block tabStops [ ] empty array

These values my be altered by creating a new TextFormat object, defining values forsome of the properties, and then attaching the TextFormat object to the TextField object.

createTextField("myTF", 99, 100, 50, 300, 40);

myTF.text = "Nobody goes there anymore. Its too crowded.";

myFmt = newTextFormat();

myFmt.size = 24;

myFmt.color = 0x00ffff; // cyan

myFmt.bold = true;

myTF.setTextFormat(myFmt);


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Example: FlyingText.fla

This Flash document creates and array of words that are placed into individual dynamictext fields, which are created in MovieClip objects named word0, word1, word2, and so on.

The kthMovieClip object has an instance variable scalethat ranges from -k*200 to 300 by

having 10 added as each frame is entered. When the scale value is between 10 and 300 theword shows on the stage scaled by that value so that the word appears to be movingtoward the front. When scale reaches 300, the MovieClip object is made invisible.


words = "Multimedia,Web,Programming,with,Flash";

wordList = words.split(",");

createAllWords(wordList);

functioncreateAllWords(wordList){

for(vark=0; k


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Example: Form.fla

This example uses Flash Components to build a form similar to what can be donewith HTML form tags.

TextInput

Drag a TextInput Component onto the stage, select it, and give it the instance nameusername.

Open the Properties Panel (ctrl+F3) and select its Parameters tab.

Option Default

editable true

password false

text none

Place a Static text field "Enter Name:" next to the TextInput Component as a label.

Repeat this process for a password field, except call the instancepasswdand set thepasswordoption to true.

Retrieving TextInput data:

trace(username.text);

trace(passwd.text);

CheckBox

Drag three CheckBox Components onto the stage, giving them instance names check1,check2, and check3.

Open the Parameters tab of the Properties Panel.

Option Default

label CheckBox

labelPlacement right

selected

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