Macromedia Flash MX ActionScripting : Advanced Training from the Source

by Franklin, Derek; Makar, Jobe

• ISBN13: 9780201770223
• ISBN10: 0201770229
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback w/CD
• Copyright: 2002-01-01
• Publisher: Macromedia Press

Summary

Untitled Macromedia Flash MX ActionScripting: Advanced Training From the Sourceteaches readers ActionScript using a hands-on, project-based approach. This book will be different in several ways. Instead of just explaining how scripting works, explains scripting by translating real-life activities into scripts, so that users can begin to see the association of how programming and scripting is something they instinctively already know how to do. Readers will be shown many methodologies and techniques for building nearly thirty real-life Flash ActionScript projects, including sample games, wireless applications, Web sites, and more, enabling them to work faster and more efficiently. The companion CD-ROM contains all project files and images necessary for each project in the book.

Table of Contents

Introduction	1	(5)
Introducing Actionscript	6	(26)
Why Learn ActionScript?
ActionScript Elements
The Planning Process
Writing Your First Script
Testing Your First Script
Using Event Handlers	32	(52)
What Event Handlers Do
Choosing the Right Event Handler
Using Mouse Events
Making the Most of Attaching Mouse Events to Movie Clips
Using Frame Events
Using Clip Events
Orchestrating Multiple Events
Understanding Event Handler Methods
Using Event Handler Methods
Using `Listeners'
Understanding Target Paths	84	(38)
Understanding Multiple Timelines
Targeting the Current Movie
Targeting the Main Movie
Targeting a Parent Movie
Targeting Movie Clip Instances
Targeting Movies on Levels
Targeting Movie Clip Instances on Levels
Understanding Multiple Identities
Creating and Referencing Global Elements
Understanding And Using Objects	122	(28)
What Objects Are and Why They're Useful
Object Types
Using the Color Object
Using the Key Object to Add Interactivity
Working with String and Selection Objects
Using Functions	150	(22)
Creating Functions
Adding Parameters to Functions
Using Local Variables and Creating Functions that Return Results
Customizing Objects	172	(64)
Understanding Object Mechanics
Defining a Custom Class and Creating Instances of that Class
Genetically Programming an Object by Customizing Its Prototype
Instance-Level Properties
Creating Subclasses
Creating Custom Methods for Custom Classes
Watching Properties
Enhancing Existing Object Methods
Defining Custom Methods for Prebuilt Objects
Registering Classes
Using Dynamic Data	236	(28)
Creating Variables
Creating Arrays
Creating Dynamic Text Fields and Retrieving Information
Retrieving the Data
Manipulating Data	264	(18)
Data Types
Building Expressions
Operators
Manipulating Numerical Data Using Math
Manipulating Strings
Using Conditional Logic	282	(28)
Controlling a Script's Flow
Determining Conditions
Reacting to Multiple Conditions
Defining a Boundary
Turning Power On/Off
Reacting to User Interaction
Detecting Collisions
Automating Scripts with Loops	310	(26)
Why Loops Are Used
Types of Loops
Writing and Understanding Loop Conditions
Nested Loops
Loop Exceptions
Getting Data in And Out of Flash	336	(30)
Understanding Data Sources and Data Formats
Get vs. Post
Using the loadVars Object
Using Shared Objects
Using XML With Flash	366	(30)
Learning XML Basics
Using the XML Object
Introducing Socket Servers
Using the XML Socket Object
Validating and Formatting Data	396	(52)
The Logic Behind Validating Data
Using Validation Routines
Handling Errors
Validating Strings
Validating Sequences
Validating Against a List of Choices
Validating Numbers
Dynamic Text Formatting with HTML
Creating and Controlling Text Fields with ActionScript
Using textFormat Objects
Controlling Movie Clips Dynamically	448	(46)
Creating Movie Clip Instances Dynamically
Using attachMovie()
Building Continuous-Feedback Buttons
Using ActionScript to Dynamically Draw Lines
Using the Draw Methods
Creating Filled Shapes Dynamically
z-Sorting Movie Clip Instances
Dragging and Dropping Movie Clip Instances
Removing Dynamically Created Content
Time-And Frame-Based Dynamism	494	(30)
The Use of Time in Flash
Determining Current Date and Time
Determining the Passage of Time
Controlling the Playback Speed and Direction of a Timeline
Tracking Playback and Downloading Progression
Scripting For Sound	524	(32)
Controlling Sound with ActionScript
Creating a Sound Object
Dragging a Movie Clip Instance Within a Boundary
Controlling Volume
Controlling Panning
Attaching Sounds and Controlling Sound Playback
Loading External Assets	556	(38)
The Ins and Outs of Loading External Assets
Loading Movies into a Target
Loading JPGs Dynamically
Creating an Interactive Placeholder
Loading Movies into a Level
Controlling a Movie on a Level
Loading MP3s Dynamically
Reacting to Dynamically Loaded MP3s
Appendix A Resources	594	(2)
Index	596