Introducing ActionScript 3.0Object-oriented programming languageUsed to power Flash PlayerSimilar to JavaScriptCan be embedded in a Flash project (.fla) fileWritten as a stand-alone ActionScript (.as)

file, or created in Flex Builder (new tool built on Adobe’s Flex framework – creating RIAs (Rich Internet Applications)

ActionScript help a Flash designer to leap the hurdle and create fully interactive applications, dynamic Web applications and interactive video games

History of ActionScript ActionScript 1.0ActionScript 2.0ActionScript 3.0

ActionScript 1.0/2.0 vs 3.0

myMovieClip.createTextField(“thickness_text”, 10, 0, 0, Stage .width, 22);

var myText:TextField = new TextField();

Class Method Instance Name Properties

Class MethodInstance Name

ActionScript 1.0/2.0

ActionScript 3.0

ActionScript 3.0 New Features

Feature Description

Package AS 3.0 classes are organized into packages, folders that hold similar AS class files.

Document class

Introduced by Flash CS3. Allowed to create own custom class for the main Timeline

AS tools Help to learn how to write and organize code more effective

Scripting improvements

Provide new AS debugger that offers improved flexibility and feedback and is consistent with Flex 2 debugger.Can convert animations directly to AS Copy and paste AS animation propertise from one object to another

Language consistency

More consistent in syntax

Benefits of ActionScript 3.0fast downloading speedprecise visual controladvanced interactivitycapable to combine bitmap and vector

gaphicsinclude video and animationscalable and streaming content

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ActionScript 3.0 elements, including the following:VariablesInstancesPropertiesFunctions and methodsEvent, event handlers, and event listenersClassesConditional statements

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Communicating to Movie ClipsFirstly, transform the object into a movie clip symbol

(a type of predefined class).Give an instance name which ActionScript can

interact with it.A guidelines when naming symbols, instance and

document files in Flash:Use lowercase letters (a-z) for the first characterUse descriptive names to make it easy to rememberDo not use special character (!, @, #, $, % and many

others)Never use spacesNever put periods (.)Never put slashes (/)Example:

mcRectangle; rectangle_mc; etcSMM3111 - Multimedia Programming

Modifying movie clip propertiesGiving a script to movie clips:

i. select a particular frame on a particular layerii. choose Window > Actions or press F9 to

open the Actions panel

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Actions panel has three basic areas Script pane – where you

type the ActionScript Actions toolbox –

contains a listing of all the classes, methods, events and parameters

Script navigator – use to navigate to the different frames containing ActionScript

Example:rectangle1_mc.alpha = .5;

Meaning:telling Flash that the object’s (instance name =

rectangle1_mc) is given alpha property or transparency that equal to .5 or 50 percent.

semicolon shows the end of statement

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Understanding variables and setting variable data typeVariable – a container that holds information

or different data syntax in ActionScript: var <variable_name>

eg.: var userName

Giving a value to the variable. The value or data type will be string and numbers.

eg.: var userName:String = “Todd”;

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Trace StatementsTo make sure the code is syntaxed and

running properlySyntax in ActionScript:

trace <variable_name>/<(string)>

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A trace statement pops up in the Output panel when we test or publish the movie.

Output panel has no information or a coded error message.

It helps you check the code and isolate any problems when you start to work with complicated files.

CommentsComments are notes – usually to yourself or

to other coders looking at the file.Used to explain coding decisions, such as

the file organization, orannotate the code, orsometimes, temporarily turn off a block of code

Two type of comments:// - line comments/* - block comments

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Syntax in ActionScript:// <your comments> or /* <more than one line of comments> */

eg.:

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