Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (Full Version)

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Vampire and Human -> Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/19/2009 19:21:09)

[image]http://www.lumenbrite.com/images/courses/flash_banner.jpg[/image]
*borrowed from Althorne, will get a new one soon!





Previous Flash Q&A Thread Owners:

Althorne – Second Flash Q&A Writer (Technically 5th!)

lil boi blue – First Flash Q&A Writer





With permission from Personater, I’ve remade what is by far the most helpful and truly inspiring part of the Gallery for artists; whether they’ve been with Flash for decades, or are thinking about joining.

This thread has helped countless forumites in the past, and will continue to do so as long as there is a Flash community on the Battleon Forums.

Below are listed many tutorials which I, and many others, have found to be priceless sources of valuable information.

Ask away, I, and hopefully others, shall be here to answer any questions you may have to the best of our ability.



What is Flash?


Adobe Flash CS4, or Flash, is a Vector Drawing, Animating, and Programming software.

You use Flash pretty much everyday; all the games you play on the internet, most if not all are made with Flash.

The very reason you joined this forum is thanks to AE's outstanding Flash and game development skills.

In this Q&A are many links that can teach you, and many people that can help you on the use of Flash.

But in the end, Flash is (for me), a fun and interactive way for some great artists to express themselves [;)]!

Draw an amazing portrait, animate a cartoon, or program a game, it's your choice!

Have fun.







“Trials are available from - http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/flash/ ~ Don't download from anywhere else, the download may be corrupt.”





Articles on Game Development:

http://gotoandplay.it/

http://www.kirupa.com/developer/actionscript/game_programming_1.htm

http://www.kirupa.com/developer/actionscript/rpgprogramming.htm

http://www.kirupa.com/developer/actionscript/gamestory.htm

http://www.kirupa.com/developer/actionscript/gametypes.htm

http://www.kirupa.com/developer/actionscript/rpg.htm




Good Books:

Beginning Flash Game Programming For Dummies - Andy Harris
http://www.amazon.com/Beginning-Flash-Game-Programming-Dummies/dp/0764589628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1258599912&sr=1-1-spell

Macromedia Flash MX 2004 ActionScript Bible - Robert Reinhardt, Joey Lott
http://www.amazon.com/Macromedia-Flash-2004-ActionScript-Bible/dp/0764543547



Helpful Tutorials (For beginners and Gurus alike!):

http://www.kirupa.com/developer/flash/index.htm

http://flashkit.com/tutorials/

http://www.newgrounds.com/collection/flashtutorials.html

http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/229808

http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/695818

http://www.newgrounds.com/bbs/topic/229808/49


Free Sound FX and Loops:

http://flashkit.com/soundfx/

http://flashkit.com/loops/


Free Fonts:


http://www.dafont.com/

http://www.1001freefonts.com/

http://www.urbanfonts.com/



Tutorials For AS2 -


Turn Based Battle System Tutorial - http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y158/photo12/tutorialgame.swf

-----------

Chubbs' Hand Tutorial - http://i81.photobucket.com/albums/j231/chubbs153/handtut.swf

-----------

Sound - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=4121619&mpage=1&key=�

-----------

Movement - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=4121619&mpage=1&key=�

-----------

Buttons - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=4121619&mpage=1&key=�

-----------

Cursor and Cursor Effects - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=4121619&mpage=1&key=�

-----------

Tech Support with Flash Uploading - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=4121619&mpage=1&key=�

-----------

Text - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=4121619&mpage=1&key=�

-----------

Actionscript - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=4121619&mpage=1&key=�

-----------

Custom Effects - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=4121619&mpage=1&key=�






Personal Tutorial Threads -

Althorne's Flash Tutorials - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=10286250
EragonZZZZ’s Big Guide to AS 2.0 - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=14708996
~JW~'s How to upload a Flash site to webs - http://screencast.com/t/9NJKmGfAyLjB
~JW~'s How to define variables - http://screencast.com/t/jg0WstO4
~JW~'s Buttons tutorial - http://screencast.com/t/CluvuIho
~JW~'s Timeline control - http://screencast.com/t/JRe1dyNP
~JW~'s How to Make a Nav. Bar - http://www.screencast.com/users/JRyman/folders/Jing/media/618d2935-5e53-445e-a5ee-6acf55f80f62
//.Shadow.\\'s Guide to Login/Loading via Flash PHP & MySql - http://forums2.battleon.com/f/tm.asp?m=17001089

“If you have a tutorial, or tutorial thread please post the link and it will be added.”






Key Contributors -

lil boi blue - Specialty ~ Adobe Flash GOD. He changed my life, and I owe him beyond repay ability
Althorne - Specialty ~ All Round Brilliant
flsg - Specialty ~ Action script 2.0 – AS 3.0
EragonZZZZ - Specialty ~ Action script 2.0, Animation and Art


(Previously-)Active Flash Users:

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

EragonZZZZ

flsg

Vampire and Human

Dudu Master

//.Shadow.\\

Davyo

biG frend

TarrianLoki

~JW~

Sea

Atriax

jiggibidy

darksideofthefarm

razackie

PyroPuppy


(Taking names, post if you want to be on the list (I don't know anybody anymore!))


Thats all I have for now... PM or post if you would like anything else added, or are looking for a specific tutorial.




Thank you, Personater!




~JW~ -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/19/2009 19:24:26)

Ill PM you some of my tuts, to see if they are good enough. Im a Flash user.




zenron the great -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 5:09:56)

Why is this stickied? I thought we all agreed long ago that Q&A threads weren't going to be stickied?




MegaPoster404 -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 15:55:21)

I have a problem. I can never do if() conditions with input text. I give it the variable, it works for defining.... but never in if() conditions.

For example, in a text-based game, I have this code on an MC:

on (keyPress "<Enter>") {
if (promptText == "NORTH") {
TextDisplay = "You went NORTH";
} else {
TextDisplay = "I do not understand";
}
promptText = "";
}

But it always says "I do not understand" when I type in "NORTH"




Vampire and Human -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 16:32:25)

@MegaPoster404:

The problem is on your defining of variables.

You would have to define promptText = "" on the frame.

By having it on the keyPress statement, everytime the key is pressed, it automatically switches promptText to "".

Think of it this way; Flash prioritizes in reverse chronological order.

The last thing you wrote, or the closest to the end of the statement, the higher priority.

So, in contradictions like this it will always choose promptText = "", because it's at the end.

By telling it promptText = "", you are deleting NORTH, so it will give you the else "I do not Understand" value.

So, basically, don't define on buttons.

They are evil.

Just switch that one defining code (promptText = "") to the frame and it should be good to go ;)!

Thanks,
~VnH




MegaPoster404 -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 16:38:47)

No, the if conditions aren't working, altogether, in any file I make. Does CS4 have some king of bug like that?




Vampire and Human -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 16:43:21)

How do you mean by that?

try this code, to test...:

//on the frame
_global.txt = " "

//on the button
on(press){
if(txt == "HI"){
trace(txt)
}
else{
trace("NOOOOOOO!")
}
}

Or something like that.. Not on my Flash Computer right now, so I'm guessing there's an extra } somewhere, but I'm not sure XD.

Good luck, I'll get on my Flash comp. ASAP to see what the problem is.

From,
~VnH




MegaPoster404 -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 17:49:16)

.......traces NOOOOOOO! even if the input box says HI




Vampire and Human -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 19:52:06)

on(press){
if(_root.txt == "HI"){
trace("A")
}
else{
trace("B")
}
}


Dang, I know what I forgot..

I was about to say check the variable scope (as I didn't have Flash with me to make sure it was even proper syntax [8D]) but rather check the textbox's scope.

That should work. No defining necessary.

I guess I kind of forgot it was on an object and not on the frame [;)].

Good luck,
~VnH

(By the way, PM me if it still doesn't work, I will send the file, so you can see firsthand what I did!)




~JW~ -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 19:55:37)

Hey guise. Im trying to make a small website app, but I'm stuck on something. Im tryying to make it some you can input your name, and it will change the text to "Hello, [name]!" but I want it to stay that way for every visit.




Vampire and Human -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 20:13:13)

Hmm...
You might want to look into something called SharedObject. It's inside the tutorials I posted (the AS2 Main from Newgrounds)

Basically, you want a Dynamic Text Box, name it whatever you want, e.g. Name, and do this:

on (press) {

var save = SharedObject.getLocal ("NAME")

if (save.data.NAME == undefined) {

_root.NAME = " "

} else {

_root.NAME = save.data.NAME

}

}

The first line defines the save file name, obviously.

However, the second name basically says If it's not found, set it to a default so the file can be remade later.
If it does find it, however, it finds it and assigns the variable.

This was only, however, Loading the variables.

For the Saving part,

on(press){

var save = SharedObject.getLocal("NAME")

save.data.NAME = _root.NAME

save.flush ();
}

This specifies what to save it as, assigns it a second variable which will be stored in this file, and Ta-da :D!

You don't necessarily need to make this a press function, make it all on the frame if you want it to remember.

As for remembering the name,

Input Box as NAME.

trace("Hello, " + _root.Name + ".")

As for making a new line (if you run out of room), use \n.

trace("Hello,\nHow are you, " + _root.Name + ".")




~JW~ -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 20:57:50)

OK, thanks.




MegaPoster404 -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 21:17:23)

quote:

check the textbox's scope.


...What?




Sea -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 21:21:54)

hey, this might be out of the ordinary, but I want to make a chatbox, like either 2 people could chat, or a computer chats with you.... but I don't know how to do it...




~JW~ -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 21:23:38)

You need to know how to code Multiplayer, so the chat can be seen by others. Ive made a one person before, Ill send you .fla if you want.




Vampire and Human -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 21:24:37)

@MegaPoster404: I basically mean how it's referred to/it's location actionscript wise according to the frame or a Movie clip.

@Sea: Don't. Simple as that. I'd say, wait about 5 years of non-stop learning and you can do it.
Though, check this out. You won't understand a word I'm guessing and you will probably end up c/p'ing the examples, but what the heck , here you go ;)!

http://gotoandplay.it/_articles/multiplayerCentral/

~VnH




Vampire and Human -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/20/2009 22:52:21)

NEW!



Interview with Dudu Master; a former Flash Master and a Modern Battleon! Forums Legend:

quote:

What's your favorite part of Flash? I mean Drawings, Animations, Codes..? Not necessarily what you like to do, but what you like seeing or doing?
Personally, I love animating. I think that, since I began, I improved a lot and, in my opinion, I can make some really amazing animations (some that I can't even believe I made). But what matters is experience; the more you try, and the harder you do, better your work will be. Just never give up.

Do you think any of it (the constant flow of new material being pumped into Flash communities by the thousands per second) inspired you to start with Flash? Or was it merely some other desire to work with it?
I always wanted to work with Flash. When I got the opportunity, I used it and now I certainly do not regret.

How do you think you got started? Who introduced you to it?
I was actually introduced to Flash MX long ago, but never used it completely. I made some small games, but never a big project. When I found Space Fable, a Battle On! Forums project, I bought Flash CS3 and its Project Leader, //.Shadow.\\, sent me a Space Fable file. I studied all the codes by myself and asked him some small questions. That was the start. One year has passed, and here I am now.

What could have helped you the most when you were starting with Flash?

Some people may think that Flash Tutorials are useful. In my opinion, they aren't. Mostly because they don't make you think; thinking is the only way to code, so they didn't help me. I believe what most helped me was the file that //.Shadow.\\ sent me. About animations, all I could do was training. You can only improve it if you try lots of times.
I honestly couldn't agree more... I just hope other people realize this and use tutorials the way you used the **** file, and learn from it. Though, Althorne taught me a great trick a few years back; he said he never c/p's a tutorial, but rather write it all word for word by yourself, so you understand each line, and keep trying it until you remember the entire code, and know what each specific line does.

Have any people, games, animations contributed to your learning of Flash?
Yes, certainly! I learned Flash because I had an opportunity. Although, if I didn't want to learn, the opportunity would have come to me in vain. Back on 2006, when I first played Dragon Fable, I couldn't believe someone could have done such an amazing game in Flash. That was my first real Flash dream - I always wanted to make a game like that. I was impressed, especially with DF trees; I loved those tree designs. Then, in 2007, I played MQ and my dream to learn Flash got stronger. On August 7th, 2008, I joined the Forums, and I joined Space Fable too. After studying, I was able to finally master Flash.

What do you believe helped you the most when you were making games? For instance, while everybody else was busy making RPG's, you made a shooter. Clearly, you were quite ahead of the game (no pun intended) ;).
The story of Shoot It! (for those who don't know, the first real game I made with the SI! team, which has ended) is really impressive. Dudu was thinking about life when he tought about making a shooter. I had never seen good shooters on the net, and that situation encouraged me. I started building it (and, at first, it would be a Space Fable Entertainment game. But since only I made the game and I had no real help from SFE except Carbine's, I went solo and built the SI! team) on the next day and, one month later, it was ready. Thanks to the SI! team (Atriax, Davyo, Luggy, THE DRAGON MASTER22 and TarrianLoki [alphabetically] [I hope I didn't forget anybody]), it was getting better every week, but, then, I decided to close it because I had priorities in real life. For me, what most helped when I were making games was the public; if people like your stuff, it makes you want to make more of it.

Are there anythings you would like to tell others, which you think helped you when you were developing in Flash?
There's only one thing: never give up. If you do something, but don't get any comments, it's because people like it. Perhaps they are just too shy to comment. Just never give up, and you will reach perfection.




//.Shadow.\\ -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/22/2009 8:15:54)

Good luck with this thread...

+ Them PM's not so long ago... The 100 Connection one will be in my grasp in about 3 months.... Howdya say at 60 for me and 40 for you xD

~Parker




biG frend -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/22/2009 16:58:02)

Greetings flash users, I was just curious if anyone around could go over with me how to have flash save data to a database. I have windows SQL databases (not mySQL) at my disposal although I have a feeling mySQL databases are not hard to aquire so if you can't work with windows can you point me in the right direction. I am not interested in saving to temp files.




//.Shadow.\\ -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/23/2009 14:12:48)

Umm... TBH I amm not sure about it with Windows SQL... But for MySQL ill make a tut soon... Seems people find it difficult.

~Parker




Atriax -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/24/2009 7:21:23)

Add me to the list if you would.
I'm a flash user.
I don't really busy myself with Actionscript much though.




jiggibidy -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/24/2009 18:55:05)

I'm considering going back to Flash, as a side project to my VB, and I was wondering if somebody could clear up something for me.

I took an AS2 book out of my local library, and I understood most of it, but I never fully understood loops.

For some reason, it never really clicked.

I was hoping that somebody could reduce it to its simplest form, so I can hopefully understand it.

Also, I was wondering if anybody knew anything about database handling in AS2, as this could potentially play a large role in my side projects.




//.Shadow.\\ -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/25/2009 2:33:28)

There are many methods....

For a number of times use!
Rember how ever many time you want it to repeat + 1 to the value.
for (i=1; i<11; i++){
trace ("This code is repeated ten times");
}


When a Var or something hit
while (condition) {
statements
} 


Hopes thats what ya after :)

~Parker




darksideofthefarm -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/25/2009 12:17:48)

I do flash. I like scripting in flash, its fun. I want to learn more though, any suggestions on great sites to use. :D

Can I please be added to the list! :D

Edit: Wait I read and found some. Whoops.




The Illusive Man -> RE: Flash Q&A Thread 6 - We help! (11/25/2009 13:43:43)

Hey Vampire & Human! Good to know this thread was continued! I'll be around to help people with flash if they so desire. I'll check this thread quite often, or people can PM me.

There are a few kinds of loops in flash. My favourite is the while loop, it's the simplest and easiest to see what you've done.

Shadow outlined that one well, same with for loops. However, he missed the do while loop. Do while loops can protect against infinite loops (they WILL crash your flash! Always save before testing a loop)

Do While Loop: This type of loop runs the code to be repeated before checking for the condition so that it guarantees that the code is executed at least once whether the condition is satisfied or not.

In english, do something once, then do it again and again while a condition is true. It means SOMETHING will be ouptut.


Syntax:

do {
statements;
} while (condition);

Example:

var i = 1;
do {
trace ("Repeatey Code");
i++;
}while(i<5);




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