FlashGuru Blog

Previously, i released an unfinished Basic Flash Command which uses JSFL to organise the Flash Library, in that short time, people have been asking me about the API for JSFL and until Macromedia release the documentation to the public, i dont want to say much about it. But heres a little hint; JSFL uses the same syntax as Javascript (built upon the Netscape Core Javascript API - As if you didnt know already *lol*) and thus it is possible to recursively loop through the DOM of the Flash IDE using a for..in construct. All you need to know, to do that, is where to start searching. The Flash IDE’s DOM has a core/root object whose name is ‘fl’ or ‘flash’. The only other property you need to know about, which is probably the most important, is the documents array (fl.documents) which contains an array of document objects, each of which represents a document open in the Flash IDE. To access the currently focused/opened document, you use the syntax fl.getDocumentDOM() or flash.getDocumentDOM(). Also, you can create a new Flash Javascript document in the Flash MX Authoring Tool and you will see a dropdown list of all the available objects, methods and properties with no real hierarchy. That information should spark off some exploration;) Happy looping! More shortly….

Ive decided to share a Flash Command im in the process of developing to make you all think about the possiblities of JSFL. This particular command is fairly basic, and its purpose is to enable developers to organise their flash movie. Download the code here and copy the .jsfl file into your Commands directory and then run it, by starting Flash MX 2004 and then selecting the Organise Library Command from the Command menu. Im presently implementing a user interface using XML 2 UI which will allow users to customise the organisation settings. I plan to implement organisation of layers into relevant folders and automatic symbol renaming. Note: I know that this command needs improvement, its just a teaser! Im also in the planning stages of an extension which will import/export UML documents from/to flash classes Expect more on JSFL & XML 2 UI shortly!

As you probably now know, Macromedia have implemented a new extensibility architecture into Flash MX 2004, which allows developers to create Timeline Effects, Behaviours and Tools using a scripting language which Macromedia have called Flash Javascript(JSFL). I will be speaking at numerous conferences in the near future on this topic, but for now here are a few commercial extensions which were released today, which will give you a good idea of the capabilities.

Joey Lott an O’Reilly author, has written a two part primer which will introduce Actionscript 2 to Actionscript 1 developers. Part One is here and Part Two is here. Its worth reading if your struggling getting up to speed.

Macromedia have removed/changed the way you access the Actions panel which is a problem for me as the way i am used to doing it, doesnt exist in Flash MX 2004. There isnt an option to open the Actions Panel in the context-sensitive right click menu anymore. Ah well… gonna have to get used to pressing F9.

Macrofun is sharing his little adventures/experiments with the new release of Flash over on his blog, the first part of his adventure involves an in-depth look of Screens and Forms, the second part of his adventure is about applying a THEME to a Flash MX 2004 Component.

The Macromedia Flash Player, version 7 has also completed its beta stages and is now available to download as always here. Checkout the speed differences.

With the release of Flash MX 2004 Today, Devnet’s Flash Development Center has been stocked up with muerous articles. Building a Streaming Video Presentation with Flash MX 2004 Media Components, Data Binding in Macromedia Flash MX Professional 2004, New Features for Mobile and Devices in Flash MX 2004, Building and Testing Flash MX 2004 Components, Exploring the Macromedia Flash MX 2004 Component Architecture. Expect many more articles, sample files and whitepapers shortly…

Macromedia Flash MX 2004 was announced ready to release yesterday on the beta, now its available for trial download and *should* be available for you if you are a Devnet Subscriber. Download the trial version here and buy yourself a copy here. Checkout the release notes for answers to commonly asked questions.

A french Flash Conference is born, Flashparade a 3 day flash conference with speakers Branden Hall, Robin Debreuil, Mike Chambers, Robert Penner, Myself and others will be held in Marseille on the 9th - 11th October. Registration opened yesterday and at €45 per ticket its a bargain! Yours truly will be talking about extending Flash MX 2004 using JSFL (Flash Javascript).

Grant Skinner, the coder behind GModeler and FlashOS2 has released his own blog. There should be lots of actionscript related posts coming from his way in the future.

Zeh Fernando has written an in-depth article about the death of the pixel font. Good news for Flash Developers, not so good news for companies and individuals who’s business revolves around them