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ActionScript®: Your visual blueprint™ for creating interactive projects in Flash® CS4 Professional

Name: ActionScript®: Your visual blueprint™ for creating interactive projects in Flash® CS4 Professional
Author: Rob Huddleston
ISBN: 9780470481943

by Rob Huddleston

July 2009

Intermediate to advanced

384 pages

9h 22m

English

Visual

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Copyright
Trademark AcknowledgmentsContact Us
Praise For Visual Books...
Credits
About the Author
Author's Acknowledgments
HOW TO USE THIS VISUAL BLUEPRINT BOOK
Who Needs This BookBook OrganizationWhat You Need to Use This BookWindows RequirementsMac RequirementsThe Conventions in This BookApply ItExtraWhat's on the Web SiteOperating System Difference
1. Introducing ActionScript
1.1. Introducing Flash1.2. Understanding Flash Player 101.3. Introducing ActionScript 3.01.4. Create a New Flash Movie1.5. Using the Actions Panel
2. Introducing the Basic Syntax of ActionScript
2.1. Understanding Object-Oriented Programming2.2. Understanding Objects and Classes2.3. Understanding Properties and Methods2.4. Static Classes2.5. Understanding ActionScript Syntax Rules2.6. Using Semicolons2.7. Using Curly Braces and Parentheses2.8. Whitespace2.9. Case Sensitivity2.10. Dot Syntax2.11. Create a Variable2.11.1. Create a Variable2.12. Understanding Data Types2.13. Types of Data2.14. Data Types in ActionScript 3.02.14.1. Fundamental Data Types2.14.2. Simple Data Types2.14.3. Complex Data Types2.15. Declaring Data Types2.16. Untyped Values2.17. Casting Values2.18. Test Your Flash Movie2.18.1. Test Your Flash Movie2.19. Concatenate Strings2.19.1. Concatenate Strings2.20. Trace Variables2.20.1. Trace Variables2.20.2. Extra2.21. Create an Array2.21.1. Create an Array2.21.2. Apply It2.22. Add and Remove Elements from an Array2.22.1. Add and Remove Elements from an Array2.22.1.1. Add An Element to an Array2.22.1.2. Remove an Element From an Array2.22.2. Extra2.23. Create an Array in an Array2.23.1. Create an Array in an Array2.23.2. Apply It2.24. Create a Generic Object2.24.1. Create a Generic Object2.24.2. Apply It2.25. Add Constants2.25.1. Add Constants2.26. Add Comments to Your Code2.26.1. Add Comments to Your Code2.26.1.1. Insert a Single-line comment2.26.1.2. Insert a Multiline comment2.27. Understanding Coding Best Practices2.28. Plan and Organize Your Code2.29. Be Consistent2.30. Immediately Add Closing Parentheses and Curly Braces2.31. Add Whitespace2.32. Document the Code with Comments2.33. Use Descriptive Names
3. Controlling Objects on the Stage
3.1. Draw Shapes in Flash3.1.1. Draw Shapes in Flash3.1.1.1. Draw a stroked shape3.1.1.2. Draw a filled Shape3.1.2. Extra3.2. Introducing Symbols3.3. Flash Symbols3.4. Storing Movie Elements3.5. Editing Symbols3.6. Types of Symbols3.6.1. Graphic Symbols3.6.2. Button Symbols3.6.3. MovieClip Symbols3.7. Create a Symbol3.7.1. Create a Symbol3.7.1.1. convert to a symbol3.7.1.2. Create a New Symbol3.7.2. Extra3.8. Insert and Name an Instance3.8.1. Insert and Name an Instance3.8.2. Extra3.9. Set Instance Properties Using the Properties Panel3.9.1. Set Instance Properties Using the Properties Panel3.9.2. Extra3.10. Set Instance Properties in Code3.10.1. Set Instance Properties in Code3.10.2. Extra
4. Working with Nonvisual Classes
4.1. Perform Simple Mathematical Operations4.1.1. Perform Simple Mathematical Operations4.1.2. Extra4.2. Perform Complex Mathematical Operations with the Math Class4.2.1. Perform Complex Mathematical Operations with the Math Class4.2.2. Extra4.3. Generate Random Numbers4.3.1. Generate Random Numbers4.3.2. Apply It4.4. Create Instances of the Date Class4.4.1. Create Instances of the Date Class4.4.1.1. Get the Day of the Week4.4.1.2. SET YOUR BIRTHDATE4.4.2. Extra4.5. Perform Math on Dates4.5.1. Perform Math on Dates4.5.2. Extra

5. Writing Functions
5.1. Write a function5.1.1. Write a Function5.1.2. Extra5.2. Call a Function5.2.1. Call a Function5.2.2. Extra5.3. Pass Data to Functions5.3.1. Pass Data to Functions5.3.2. Apply It5.4. Return a Value from a Function5.4.1. Return a Value from a Function5.4.2. Apply It
6. Creating Custom Classes
6.1. Create a Package6.1.1. Create a Package in Windows6.1.1.1. Create a Package on Macintosh6.1.2. Extra6.2. Create a New ActionScript File6.2.1. Create a New ActionScript File6.2.1.1. Create the File6.2.1.2. Save the File to A Package6.2.2. Apply It6.3. Create a Custom Class Skeleton6.3.1. Create a Custom Class Skeleton6.3.2. Extra6.4. Define Properties of the Class6.4.1. Define Properties of the Class6.4.2. Extra6.5. Create a Constructor6.5.1. Create a Constructor6.5.2. Extra6.6. Define a Method6.6.1. Define a Method6.6.2. Extra6.7. Extend a Class6.7.1. Extend a Class6.7.2. Extra6.8. Using a Custom Class6.8.1. Using a Custom Class6.8.2. Apply It6.9. Define a Document Class6.9.1. Define a Document Class6.9.2. Extra6.10. Get and Set Class Properties6.10.1. Get and Set Class Properties6.10.2. Apply It6.11. Add a Static Property to a Class6.11.1. Add a Static Property to a Class6.11.2. Extra
7. Create an Event Handler
7.1. Create an Event Handler7.1.1. Extra7.2. Call an Event from a Button7.2.1. Call an Event from a Button7.2.2. Extra7.3. Define Events in a Custom Class7.3.1. Define Events in a Custom Class7.3.2. Extra7.4. Remove Event Listeners7.4.1. Remove Event LIsteners7.4.2. Extra7.5. Using the Target Property7.5.1. Using the Target Property7.5.2. Extra
8. Controlling the Timeline in Code
8.1. Stop a Movie8.1.1. Stop a Movie8.1.1.1. Create an Object That Moves8.1.1.2. STOP THE MOVIE8.1.2. Extra8.2. Go to a Specific Frame in a Movie8.2.1. Go to a Specific Frame in a Movie8.2.1.1. STOP A MOVIE WITH A MOTION TWEEN8.2.1.2. ADD A BUTTON THAT REWINDS THE MOVIE AND PLAYS IT AGAIN8.2.2. Extra8.3. Add Code to a MovieClip's Timeline8.3.1. Add Code to a MovieClip's Timeline8.3.2. Extra8.4. Control a MovieClip from the Main Timeline8.4.1. Control a MovieClip from the Main Timeline8.4.2. Extra8.5. Work with the Stage in Code8.5.1. Work with the Stage in Code8.5.1.1. PLACE INSTANCES ON THE STAGE8.5.1.2. POSITION THE INSTANCES ON THE STAGE USING CODE8.5.2. Apply It8.6. Add MovieClips to the Stage through Code8.6.1. Add MovieClips to the Stage through Code8.6.1.1. CREATE A MOVIECLIP8.6.1.2. REMOVE THE INSTANCE FROM THE STAGE8.6.1.3. EXPORT THE MOVIECLIP FOR ACTIONSCRIPT8.6.2. Extra8.7. Add MovieClips to the Stage through Code (continued)8.7.1.8.7.1.1. ADD THE MOVIECLIP THROUGH CODE8.7.1.2. SET THE MOVIECLIP'S POSITION AND ROTATION8.7.1.3. VIEW THE RESULTS8.7.2. Extra8.8. Remove Elements from the Stage8.8.1. Remove Elements from the Stage8.8.2. Apply It
9. Working with Text
9.1. Create a Dynamic Text Field Visually9.1.1. Create a Dynamic Text Field Visually9.1.2. Extra9.2. Create a Dynamic Text Field in Code9.2.1. Create a Dynamic Text Field in Code9.2.2. Apply It9.3. Create an Input Text Field Visually9.3.1. Create an Input Text Field Visually9.3.2. Extra9.4. Create an Input Text Field in Code9.4.1. Create an Input Text Field in Code9.4.2. Extra9.5. Work with TextField Events9.5.1. Work with TextField Events9.5.2. Extra9.6. Find Characters within Strings9.6.1. Find Characters within Strings9.6.2. Apply It9.7. Manipulate Strings9.7.1. Manipulate Strings9.7.2. Apply It9.8. Get Pieces of Strings9.8.1. Get Pieces of Strings9.8.2. Apply It9.9. Convert Data Types9.9.1. Convert Data Types9.9.2. Extra
10. Formatting Text
10.1. Understanding the TextFormat Class10.2. Class Properties10.2.1. align10.2.2. blockIndent10.2.3. bold10.2.4. bullet10.2.5. color10.2.6. font10.2.7. indent10.2.8. italic10.2.9. kerning10.3. Class Properties (continued)10.3.1. leading10.3.2. leftMargin and rightMargin10.3.3. letterSpacing10.3.4. size10.3.5. tabStops10.3.6. target10.3.7. underline10.3.8. url10.4. Default Values10.5. Apply Formatting to a Text Field10.5.1. Apply Formatting to a Text Field10.5.1.1. Create the TextFormat Instance10.5.1.2. CREATE THE TEXTFIELD INSTANCE10.5.1.3. APPLY THE FORMATTING AND VIEW THE RESULTS10.5.2. Extra10.6. Using HTML Text10.6.1. Using HTML Text10.6.2. Extra
11. Making Decisions in Code
11.1. Write an If Statement11.1.1. Write an If Statement11.1.1.1. WRITE A STATEMENT THAT COMPARES TWO VALUES FOR EQUALITY11.1.1.2. TEST THE STATEMENT11.1.2. Apply It11.2. Using Else and Else If Clauses11.2.1. Using Else and Else If Clauses11.2.2. Extra11.3. Test Multiple Conditions11.3.1. Test Multiple Conditions11.3.2. Apply It11.4. Replace If/Else Clauses with a Switch Statement11.4.1. Replace If/Else Clauses with a Switch Statement11.4.2. Apply It
12. Looping over Code
12.1. Write a For Loop12.1.1. Write a For Loop12.1.2. Apply It12.2. Write a While Loop12.2.1. Write a While Loop12.2.1.1. COUNT THE NUMBER OF NAMES IN A LIST12.2.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE12.2.2. Apply It12.3. Loop over an Array12.3.1. Loop over an Array12.3.1.1. Place The Values of an Array in Text Fields12.3.1.2. Test the Movie12.3.2. Extra
13. Animating in Code
13.1. Using the EnterFrame Event13.1.1. Using the EnterFrame Event13.1.1.1. MOVE AN OBJECT ACROSS THE STAGE HORIZONTALLY13.1.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE13.1.2. Apply It13.2. Animate MovieClips That Scale and Fade13.2.1. Animate MovieClips That Scale and Fade13.2.1.1. Have a central Object Grow and Fade In13.2.1.2. Test the Movie13.2.2. Extra13.3. Change the Speed of Animation13.3.1. Change the Speed of Animation13.3.1.1. MOVE AN OBJECT ACROSS THE STAGE HORIZONTALLY AND HAVE IT SPEED UP13.3.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE13.3.2. Apply It13.4. Using the Timer Class13.4.1. Using the Timer Class13.4.1.1. MOVE AN OBJECT ACROSS THE STAGE HORIZONTALLY AND HAVE IT SPEED UP13.4.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE13.4.2. Extra13.5. Create Tweens in Script13.5.1. Create Tweens in Script13.5.1.1. MOVE AN OBJECT ACROSS THE STAGE HORIZONTALLY AND HAVE IT SPEED UP13.5.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE13.5.2. Apply It13.6. Ease Tweened Animation13.6.1. Ease Tweened Animation13.6.1.1. BOUNCE AN OBJECT USING THE ELASTIC CLASS13.6.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE13.6.2. Extra13.7. Allow Users to Drag and Drop Objects13.7.1. Allow Users to Drag and Drop Objects13.7.1.1. CREATE TWO DRAGGABLE OBJECTS13.7.1.2. MAKE ONE MOVE TO A SPECIFIED LOCATION IF DRAGGED OVER THE OTHER13.7.1.3. TEST THE MOVIE13.7.2. Extra13.8. Animate in 3D13.8.1. Animate in 3D13.8.1.1. ROTATE AN OBJECT13.8.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE13.8.2. Extra
14. Adding Keyboard Controls
14.1. React to a Key Press14.1.1. React to a Key Press14.1.1.1. HAVE A KEY PRESS MOVE AN OBJECT14.1.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE14.1.2. Extra14.2. Using Keyboard Constants14.2.1. Using Keyboard Constants14.2.1.1. HAVE A KEY PRESS MOVE AN OBJECT14.2.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE14.2.2. Apply It
15. Working with Sound
15.1. Understanding Sound in Flash15.2. Understanding Digital Sounds15.3. Sounds on the Timeline15.4. Sound File Formats15.5. Adding Sounds in Flash15.6. Controlling Sounds15.7. Using Sound Judiciously15.8. Add a Sound to the Library and Play It15.8.1. Add a Sound to the Library and Play It15.8.2. Extra15.9. Load and Play an External Sound15.9.1. Load and Play an External Sound15.9.2. Extra15.10. Avoid Errors Due to Loading Delays15.10.1. Avoid Errors Due to Loading Delays15.10.1.1. WAIT FOR THE SOUND TO LOAD15.10.1.2. HANDLE LOADING ERRORS15.10.2. Apply It15.11. Pause and Resume Sounds15.11.1. Pause and Resume Sounds15.11.1.1. CREATE BUTTONS TO PAUSE AND RESUME THE SOUNDS15.11.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE15.11.2. Apply It15.12. Control Sound Volume15.12.1. Control Sound Volume15.12.1.1. CREATE A MUTE/UNMUTE BUTTON15.12.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE15.12.2. Extra15.13. Display Information about Sound Files15.13.1. Display Information about Sound Files15.13.1.1. DISPLAY THE SONG TITLE AND LENGTH15.13.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE15.13.2. Apply It
16. Working with Video
16.1. Convert Video to Flash Video16.1.1. Convert Video to Flash Video16.1.2. Extra16.2. Using the FLVPlayback Component Visually16.2.1. Using the FLVPlayback Component Visually16.2.2. Extra16.3. Using the FLVPlayback Component in Code16.3.1. Using the FLVPlayback Component in Code16.3.1.1. ADD THE FLVPLAYBACK COMPONENT TO YOUR LIBRARY16.3.1.2. USE THE COMPONENT IN CODE16.3.2. Extra16.4. Go Full Screen16.4.1. Go Full Screen16.4.2. Apply It16.5. Add Closed Captioning16.5.1. Add Closed Captioning16.5.1.1. CREATE YOUR CLOSED CAPTIONING DOCUMENT16.5.2. Extra16.6. Add Closed Captioning (continued)16.6.1. Add Closed Captioning (continued)16.6.1.1. ADD THE CAPTIONS TO YOUR FLASH VIDEO16.6.2. Extra16.7. Style Closed Captions16.7.1. Style Closed Captions16.7.2. Apply It
17. Working with Data
17.1. Understanding XML and E4X17.2. The Background of XML17.3. Writing XML17.4. XML and HTML Similarities17.5. XML Syntax17.5.1. Document Structure17.5.2. Case Sensitivity17.6. XML Syntax (continued)17.6.1. Whitespace17.6.2. Comments17.6.3. Reserved Characters and CDATA17.6.4. Parsing Instructions17.7. E4X17.8. Embed XML in ActionScript17.8.1. Embed XML in ActionScript17.8.1.1. STORE RELATED DATA17.8.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE17.8.2. Extra17.9. Read XML17.9.1. Read XML17.9.2. Apply It17.10. Filter XML17.10.1. Filter XML17.10.1.1. DISPLAY FILTERED DATA IN A TEXT FIELD17.10.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE17.10.2. Apply It17.11. Write XML17.11.1. Write XML17.11.2. Apply It17.12. Load XML at Runtime17.12.1. Load XML at Runtime17.12.2. Extra
18. Exchanging Data with a Server
18.1. Download the Apache Web Server18.1.1. Download the Apache Web Server18.1.2. Extra18.2. Install the Apache Server18.2.1. Install the Apache Server18.2.2. Extra18.3. Download Adobe ColdFusion18.3.1. Download Adobe ColdFusion18.3.2. Extra18.4. Install ColdFusion18.4.1. Install ColdFusion18.4.2. Extra18.5. Download PHP18.5.1. Download PHP18.5.2. Extra18.6. Install PHP18.6.1. Install PHP18.6.2. Extra18.7. Send Data to the Server18.7.1. Send Data to the Server18.7.1.1. SEND DATA VIA A TEXT FIELD AND A SUBMIT BUTTON18.7.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE18.7.2. Extra18.8. Create XML with ColdFusion18.8.1. Create XML with ColdFusion18.8.1.1. DISPLAY A NAME AND THE CURRENT DATE18.8.1.2. TEST THE COLDFUSION18.8.2. Extra18.9. Create XML with PHP18.9.1. Create XML with PHP18.9.1.1. DISPLAY A NAME18.9.1.2. TEST THE PHP18.9.2. Extra18.10. Read Data from the Server18.10.1. Read Data from the Server18.10.1.1. CREATE A FORM THAT REQUESTS AND RETURNS A NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS18.10.2. Extra18.11. Read Data from the Server (continued)18.11.1. Read Data from the Server (continued)18.11.1.1. CREATE THE COLDFUSION SCRIPT TO RETURN THE NAME AND EMAIL ADDRESS18.11.1.2. FINISH THE FLASH FILE18.11.1.3. Test the Script18.11.2. Apply It
19. Drawing Vectors in Code
19.1. Draw Lines in Code19.1.1. Draw Lines in Code19.1.2. Extra19.2. Draw Curves in Code19.2.1. Draw Curves in Code19.2.2. Apply It19.3. Draw Shapes in Code19.3.1. Draw Shapes in Code19.3.2. Extra19.4. Create Fills19.4.1. Create Fills19.4.1.1. CREATE A FILL19.4.1.2. CREATE A GRADIENT19.4.2. Extra19.5. Transform Visual Objects19.5.1. Transform Visual Objects19.5.1.1. CHANGE A FILLED OBJECT'S COLOR AT RANDOM19.5.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE19.5.2. Apply It19.6. Add Filters through Code19.6.1. Add Filters through Code19.6.1.1. APPLY THE DROP SHADOW FILTER TO A FILLED OBJECT19.6.1.2. TEST THE MOVIE19.6.2. Extra19.7. Cache Vectors As Bitmaps19.7.1. Cache Vectors As Bitmaps19.7.1.1. Cache a Filled Object As a Bitmap19.7.1.2. Test the Movie19.7.2. Extra19.8. Draw a Bitmap19.8.1. Draw a Bitmap19.8.2. Extra19.9. Add an Image to the Library and Create a Bitmap from It19.9.1. Add an Image to the Library and Create a Bitmap from It19.9.1.1. Add the Image to the Library19.9.1.2. EXPORT THE IMAGE FOR ACTIONSCRIPT19.9.1.3. Create the Bitmap19.9.1.4. Test the Movie19.9.2. Apply It
20. Working with AIR
20.1. Understanding AIR20.2. The Adobe Integrated Runtime20.3. AIR Development Environments20.4. AIR Components20.5. AIR Capabilities20.6. ActionScript and AIR20.7. AIR and Web Applications20.8. Connected and Disconnected Applications20.9. Custom Logos20.10. Testing AIR Applications20.11. Create a New AIR Application20.11.1. Create a New AIR Application20.11.2. Extra20.12. Digitally Sign Your Application20.12.1. Digitally Sign Your Application20.12.2. Extra20.13. Detect User Inactivity20.13.1. Detect User Inactivity20.13.2. Extra20.14. Allow Users to Save Data20.14.1. Allow Users to Save Data20.14.1.1. Use a Button to Save Data from a Text Field20.14.1.2. Test the Movie20.14.2. Apply It
A. ActionScript Class Reference
B. ActionScript Operators Reference
C. Supported HTML Tags

Overview

Visual learners can get up and running quickly on ActionScript programming skills for Flash CS4

If you're a programmer who learns best when you see how something is done, this book will have you up and running with ActionScipt in no time. Step-by-step, two-page lessons show you the core programming foundations you must master to create rich Internet content using the preferred language for work with Flash. The visual approach breaks big topics into bite-sized modules, with high-resolution screen shots to illustrate each task.

You'll learn such skills as how to add interactivity, animate in code, and work with external content to create Flash projects with pizzazz.

Designed for visual learners, with two-page lessons and step-by-step, fully illustrated instructions
Covers foundation ActionScript, animating, interactivity, and working with external content
Demonstrates using the Actions panel, syntax rules, and essential language foundations Shows how to use variables and arrays; write functions, classes, if/else statements, and loops; and work with static classes such as Math
Explores essential techniques such as loading visual aspects at runtime, text from delimited text files and XML, and server-based assets using Flash Remoting
Companion Web site features all the code that appears in the text, ready to plug into your Web pages

ActionScript: Your visual blueprint to creating interactive projects in Flash CS4 Professional is the visual learner's way to master ActionScript quickly and easily.

Become an O’Reilly member and get unlimited access to this title plus top books and audiobooks from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers, thousands of courses curated by job role, 150+ live events each month,
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