9780321336194

As any Flash developer worth his or her salt knows, yours"re not tapping all of the programrs"s power unless yours"re taking advantage of its scripting language. Not to worry: With Flash 8rs"s improved scripting language (which includes a visual interface!) and this project-based guide you donrs"t have to be a master programmer to do so. In these pages authorsJobe MakarandDanny Patterson, use hands-on lessons and simple, step-by-step instructions to translate real-life activities into scripts, in the process demonstrating that scripting is something you already instinctively know how to do. To that end, the authors have provided methodologies and techniques for building nearly 40 real-life Flash 8 ActionScript projects, including sample games, wireless applications, Web sites, and more-all of which will help you work faster and more efficiently. The companion CD contains all of the project files and images yours"ll need to complete the bookrs"s lessons.

Jobe Makar coauthor of Macromedia Flash MX 2004 ActionScript: Training from the Source, specializes in games and applications programming. Co-founder of Electrotank, Inc., as Senior Game Developer, he's also the author of Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Game Design Demystified by Macromedia Press. Danny Patterson is a Consultant specializing in Flash and Web technologies. He is a Partner/Author at Community MX and a Member of Team Macromedia Flash. He has also been published in the MX Developer's Journal. He is a Certified Advanced ColdFusion MX, Flash MX and Flash MX 2004 Developer. He has worked on web projects for many large companies including Microsoft, IBM, Starz, Dell, Adobe and Virgin. You can check out his weblog at DannyPatterson.com.

Introduction

xi

LESSON 1 Introduction to ActionScript 2.0

1

(36)

What Is ActionScript?

Using the Actions Panel

Creating Variables

Code Placement

Understanding Objects, Classes, and Scope

LESSON 2 Functions

37

(24)

Creating Functions

Adding Parameters to Functions

Using Local Variables and Creating Functions that Return Results

LESSON 3 Conditional Logic

61

(16)

Controlling a Script's Flow

Reacting to Multiple Conditions

Reacting to User Interaction

Detecting the Edge of the Stage

LESSON 4 Arrays and Loops

77

(18)

Why Loops Are Useful

Types of Loops

Loop Exceptions

Creating a Search Application

Writing and Understanding Loop Conditions

Nested Loops

LESSON 5 Built-in Classes

95

(30)

What Classes Are and Why They're Useful

Using the Color Class

Working with String and Selection Classes

LESSON 6 Custom Classes

125

(36)

Understanding Classes, Top-Level Classes, and Instances

Creating a Class

Understanding the Classpath

Using Packages and Importing Classes

Using Getters and Setters

Defining Members

Understanding Inheritance

Updating an Inheritance-Based Project

LESSON 7 Events, Listeners, and Callbacks

161

(16)

What Events Do

Types of Events in Flash

Event Handlers

Creating a Project Using Event Handlers

Listeners

Creating a Project Using Listeners

LESSON 8 Dynamically Creating Assets

177

(20)

Attaching Movie Clips

Adding Empty Movie Clips

Drawing Programmatically

Working with Movie Clips as Buttons

Adding Text Fields Programmatically

Formatting Text

LESSON 9 Bitmap Features

197

(32)

Using Bitmap Surface Caching

Applying Filters

Applying Blend Modes Programmatically

Introducing the Bitmap API

LESSON 10 UI Components

229

(38)

Components: A Scripting Primer

Configuring Component Properties

Triggering Scripts Using Component Events

Using Component Methods

Using the FocusManager Component

Customizing UI Components with ActionScript

LESSON 11 Advanced Object-Oriented Design

267

(22)

Correcting Scope Errors with Delegate

Understanding Encapsulation

Applying Composition

Using Composition and Inheritance Together

Dispatching Events

LESSON 12 Data Validation

289

(28)

The Logic Behind Validating Data

Using Validation Routines

Handling Errors

Validating Strings

Validating Sequences

Validating Against a List of Choices

Validating Numbers

Processing Validated Data

LESSON 13 External Data Connections

317

(42)

Understanding Data Sources and Data Formats

GET versus POST

Using the LoadVars Class

Policy Files

Using Shared Objects

Using the WebServiceConnector Component

LESSON 14 XML and Flash

359

(36)

XML Basics

Using the XML Class

Using Socket Servers

LESSON 15 External Interface

395

(16)

Getting Started with ExternalInterface

Configuring HTML for Basic ExternalInterface Calls

Calling JavaScript Functions from ActionScript

Using JavaScript Functionality from Flash

Calling ActionScript Functions from JavaScript

Building a Quiz Application

LESSON 16 Sound and Video

411

(40)

Controlling Sound with ActionScript

Creating a Sound Instance

Dragging a Movie Clip Instance Within a Boundary

Controlling Volume

Controlling Panning

Attaching Sounds and Controlling Sound Playback

Loading and Controlling External Video

LESSON 17 Printing and Context Menus

451

(22)

Flash Printing versus Browser Printing

Using the PrintJob Class

Creating Custom Context Menus

LESSON 18 Maximum-Strength SWF Files

473

(32)

Understanding fscommand()

Using Zinc

Using FlashVars

Index

505

What is included with this book?

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

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Macromedia Flash 8 ActionScript : Training from the Source

Macromedia Flash 8 ActionScript : Training from the Source

0321336194

Summary

Author Biography

Table of Contents

Supplemental Materials