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ActionScript 3.0: Visual QuickStart Guide

Name: ActionScript 3.0: Visual QuickStart Guide
Author: Derrick Ypenburg
ISBN: 9780321573124

by Derrick Ypenburg

September 2008

Beginner

336 pages

6h 31m

English

Peachpit Press

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Copyright
Dedication
Special Thanks to
Foreword
Introduction
Is ActionScript 3 for you?What’s in this book?ResourcesWhat’s next?
1. Introduction to ActionScript 3
The Language of ActionScriptClasses and objectsObjectsClassesActionScript SyntaxDot syntaxPunctuationSemicolonParenthesesCurly bracesCommasAbout Classes and ObjectsWhat is an object?Instantiating an object of the MovieClip classWriting ActionScriptTo open and set up the Actions panelUsing the trace() statementTo trace a value to the Output panelUsing commentsTo add comments to your scriptSetting ActionScript preferencesTo set ActionScript preferences
2. Working with Variables and Properties
What Is a Variable?Naming variablesNaming conventionsDeclaring and Assigning Values to VariablesTo declare a variable, and assign and display its valueData Typing VariablesTo data type variablesWorking with StringsStringsCombining stringsTo combine strings togetherAppending a value to a stringTo append a value to a stringEscape sequencesTo add commands in strings using escape sequencesWorking with NumbersWorking with mathTo perform basic arithmeticUsing compound operatorsTo perform math using compound operatorsNumber data typesData Type ConversionsTo convert a variable data typeInstances and PropertiesInstancesPropertiesTo set a MovieClip’s properties with ActionScriptAbout Booleans
3. Working with Functions and Methods
Methods and FunctionsMethodsTo call methods of the MovieClip classFunctionsDefining a functionTo write and call your own functionUsing arguments and parameters with functionsTo use arguments and parameters in a functionTo pass variables as arguments to a functionReturning Values from a FunctionSetting a function’s return typeTo return type a functionReturn typing functions that do not return valuesFunction ScopeTo practice using function scope
4. Working with Classes and Objects
Defining Classes and ObjectsImporting a ClassTo import classesInstantiating ObjectsTo instantiate an objectObject methodsTo call methods of an objectObject propertiesTo set properties of an objectData-typing object instancesTo data-type an object instanceWorking with External CodeTo create an external .as fileTo include an ActionScript file
5. Display Lists and Display Objects
The Display ListAdding objects to the display listDisplay Classes and ObjectsDisplay objectsTo add a StaticText display object to the display list at authortimeInteractive objectsTo add an interactive object to the display list from the library at runtimeTo instantiate and add an interactive object to the display list at runtimeDisplay object containersThe MovieClip classTo add a display object container from the library with ActionScript at runtimeTo add a child object to a MovieClip display object containerTo instantiate and add a display object container with ActionScript at runtime
6. Working with Display Objects
Display Object PropertiesTo set the properties of MovieClip display objects with ActionScriptPositioning display objects dynamicallyTo dynamically position display objectsPositioning and registration pointsTo experiment with display object properties using different registration pointsUsing display object containers to position groups of display objectsTo group display objects in a display object containerManaging Object DepthsTo manage DisplayObject depthsRemoving Display Objects from the Display ListTo remove a DisplayObject from the display list

7. Communication and Events
The ActionScript 3 Event ModelEvent process detailsEvent dispatchersRegistering event listenersEvent listenersWorking with Event ListenersThe Event classTo listen for an event of the Event classTo listen for multiple event types of the Event classWorking with event objectsTo access the properties of an event objectThe MouseEvent classTo listen for mouse eventsChecking for multiple event types in the same event handlerTo check for multiple event types in an event listenerThe KeyboardEvent classTo detect keyboard events and key valuesRemoving event listenersTo remove an event listenerEvent FlowTo work with the event flowSubclasses of the Event Class
8. Controlling the Timeline
Controlling TimelinesTo stop the timelineTo play the timelineTo navigate to frames on the timelineUsing frame labelsTo make buttons with MovieClips and frame labelsNavigating Timelines with Target PathsAbsolute and relative target pathsTo control timelines with target pathsDeclaring the Frame Rate at RuntimeTo change the frame rate with ActionScript
9. Working with Strings
The String ClassEscaped charactersTo use escape sequences in stringsCombining StringsTo combine stringsConverting nonstrings to stringsTo recast values as stringsManipulating StringsTo obtain a substring of a string variableSeparating delineated values in a stringTo split a string of values using a common delineator
10. Working with Text Fields
Working with Text FieldsThe TextField classDynamic text fieldsTo create a dynamic text field at authortime and set its text properties at runtimeTo create a dynamic text field and set its text properties at runtimeInput text fieldsTo create an input text field at authortime and set its text properties at runtimeTo create an input text field and set its text properties at runtimeText field eventsTo work with text field eventsFormatting Text FieldsTo format a text field using a TextFormat objectHTML text formattingTo format a TextField with HTMLEmbedding FontsTo create a font symbol and apply it to a TextField object with ActionScript
11. Working with the Math and Date Classes
The Math ClassObtaining random numbersTo generate random numbersRounding numbersTo round numbersThe Date ClassGetting the date and timeTo get and display the date and timeBuilding a simple clock applicationTo build a simple clock applicationSetting a custom date and timeTo set a custom date and timeTime Zones and UTC Time
12. Working with Data Using Arrays and Objects
Working with the Array ClassCreating an arrayAdding elements to an arrayTo create and add elements to an arrayTo retrieve elements from an arrayArray constructor shorthandTo pass indexed elements in the Array constructor methodTo create an array with an array literalManipulating ArraysAdding or removing elements to and from an arrayAdding elements to an arrayTo add elements to an arrayRemoving or returning elements from an arrayTo remove elements from an arrayIterating through arraysTo loop through an arrayThe Object Class and Associative ArraysThe Object classArray AccessorTo create a custom object and its propertiesAssociative arraysTo create an associative arrayTo loop through an associative array
13. Creating Conditional Statements
Conditional StatementsRelational and equality operatorsTo check for true conditions using relational and equality operatorsTo check for false conditions using relational and equality operatorsVerifying the value of a Boolean with a conditional statementTo verify properties of a MovieClip using a conditional statementVerifying for multiple conditionsObject-based relational operatorsTo verify an object typeChecking for multiple event types in a single event handlerTo check for multiple MouseEvent types in a single event handlerChecking for Conditions Using the Switch StatementTo check for conditions using the switch statement
14. Iteration and Repetition
The for Loop StatementTo create a for loopIterating through array elements using the for loopTo iterate through an indexed array using the for loopThe “loop of death”Building a Dynamic Menu Using an Associative ArrayTo build a reusable menu button classTo build a dynamic menuIterating Object PropertiesRetrieving properties of an object using the for..in loopTo iterate through array elements using the for..in loopTo iterate through object properties using the for..in loopRetrieving properties of an object using the for each..in loopTo iterate through array elements using the for each..in loopTo iterate through object properties using the for each..in loopThe while and do...while Loop StatementsTo use the while loopTo use the do...while loop
15. HTTP Requests and External Communications
URL Navigation with HTTP RequestsMaking an HTTP requestNavigating to a URLTo browse to URLs using the navigateToURL() functionLoading External Text ContentTo load and track the loading progress of a URLLoader objectLoading external text and formatting with HTMLTo load external text into a text fieldLoading an external CSS fileTo style a text field with CSSError HandlingTo create an error panel
16. Loading External Assets
Using the Loader Class to Load External DataTo load an external graphic with a Loader objectLoading an external SWF fileTo load an external SWF with a Loader objectThe LoaderInfo objectMonitoring Load ProgressTo display the percentage of a loadControlling Externally Loaded SWFsTo load a SWF and cast it as a MovieClipTo set properties of a loaded SWFTo call methods of a loaded SWF
17. Using Shapes, Masks, Blends, and Filters
The Shape ClassTo draw a rectangle using the Shape classTo draw a rounded rectangle using the Shape classTo draw a circle using the Shape classApplying Dynamic Masking to ObjectsTo create a dynamic mask using a MovieClip created at authortimeTo create a dynamic mask using the Shape classTo create a mask that rounds the corner of an imageCreating Visual Effects with ActionScriptBlend modesTo apply a blend modeDynamic filtersTo apply a blur filter to a display objectTo apply a drop shadow filter to a display object
18. Dynamic Animation
The Timer ClassTo listen for events of the Timer classTo animate a display object with the Timer classTo loop the circle animation in the viewable area of the stageThe ENTER_FRAME EventTo animate using the ENTER_FRAME eventThe Tween and Easing ClassesTo tween a display object using the Tween classTo tween multiple properties using the Tween classThe Easing classTo tween a display object with an easing methodControlling tween playbackTo control a Tween object’s playbackTweenEventsTo listen for events from a Tween objectTransitionsTo use the TransitionManager with transitionsCaching Display ObjectsTo enable bitmap caching
19. Working with Sound
Working with Embedded SoundTo instantiate and play an embedded soundControlling Playback with SoundChannelTo stop the playback of a soundLoading External SoundsTo load and play an external soundMonitoring Loading with Sound EventsTo track the loading progress of a sound fileUsing ID3 Data in MP3 FilesTo get ID3 data from an MP3 fileControlling a Sound’s VolumeTo control the volume of a Sound objectMonitoring Playback ProgressTo display the playback progress of a sound in a text field
20. Working with Video
Using the FLVPlayback ComponentSetting properties of an FLVPlayback componentTo set the properties of an FLVPlayback componentCustomizing the FLVPlayback componentTo attach custom UI controls to the FLVPlayback componentFLVPlayback EventsTo monitor the playback of an FLVPlayback componentDisplaying video statusTo display the status of video playback in a text fieldFLV metadataTo get FLV metadata informationAdding and listening for cuepointsActionScript cuepointsTo add and listen for cuepoints with ActionScriptAdvanced Video Applications

Overview

ActionScript is the programming language integral to the Adobe Technology Platform. It began as a simple scripting language for creating interactivity and animation in Flash, but is now used to create full-featured Web applications, not only in Flash but in Flex. ActionScript 3, introduced with Flex 2, is now a full-fledged object-oriented programming language, and the need for teaching materials, for both newcomers and veterans, is great. This task-based tutorial is for students with no programming experience as well as those programmers who have learned earlier versions of the programming language and now need to learn the new version. The book walks a reader through all the fundamentals, then moves on to creating interactivity, working with data, looping and decision making, programming visualizations, and working with multimedia. It's a complete end-to-end tutorial.

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The ActionScript 3.0 Quick Reference Guide

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