Flash. Actionscript.

How to create a clickable button in Flash Actionscript:

2011-05-18T21:48:00.000-07:00

Here is an example on how to create a clickable button with listener events in Flash Actionscript:

/**
* How to create a button
*/
import flash.display.Sprite;
import flash.text.TextField;
import flash.text.TextFormat;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.events.MouseEvent;
import flash.net.URLRequest;

var button:Sprite;
var clickUrl:String = "http://thong-vu.blogspot.com";

if( stage == null ) {
this.addEventListener( Event.ADDED_TO_STAGE, handleStageReady);
}
else {
handleStageReady();
}

function handleStageReady(e:Event=null):void {
// text message
var textField:TextField = new TextField();
textField.text         = "Click Me!!!";
textField.selectable   = false;
textField.mouseEnabled = false;
textField.multiline    = false;
textField.wordWrap     = false;
textField.width        = textField.textWidth + 5;
textField.height       = textField.textHeight + 5;
textField.antiAliasType = AntiAliasType.NORMAL;
// click button
button = new Sprite();
button.addChild(textField);
button.width        = textField.width;
button.height        = textField.height;
button.buttonMode    = true;
button.mouseChildren = false;
button.mouseEnabled = true;
button.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OUT, handleButtonEvents);
button.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OVER, handleButtonEvents);
button.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, handleButtonEvents);
addChild(button);
}

function handleButtonEvents(me:MouseEvent):void {
switch(me.type) {
case MouseEvent.MOUSE_OVER:
button.alpha = 0.5;
break;
case MouseEvent.MOUSE_OUT:
button.alpha = 1;
break;
case MouseEvent.DOUBLE_CLICK:
default:
// navigate to url
navigateToURL( new URLRequest(clickUrl), "_blank" );
}
}

Error "Invalid project description."

2011-05-12T22:31:00.000-07:00

If you guys ever run Eclipse or Flex Builder and got the "Invalid project description" message, it usually means you guys are trying to import an existing project into a workspace; moreover, you are trying to import an existing project into the SAME directory path as the workspace.

So if you are in workspace with this path:
C:\Projects\Project A\
and you tried to load an existing project that is located in this directory:
C:\Projects\Project A\.
This will not work!!!

Solution:
1. Open a workspace at C:\Projects\
2. Import the existing project from C:\Projects\Project A\

How to install Flex Builder Plugin for Eclipse:

2011-04-13T23:06:00.000-07:00

For a long time I have been switching back and forth on Adobe's Flex Builder IDE and Eclipse with Flex Builder Plugin. They have similar interlace and tools, so to me they are basically the same. However, I have had issues with debugging when using eclipse...

Since each program only allow you to have one workspace and one project opened at a time, I would always have both of these program installed on my computer. This allows me to have my current project open on one and the other with an old project that I can use for reference or quick search.

Anyway, below are instructions on how to install Flex Builder Plugin for Eclipse.

Step 1: Get a copy of Eclipse. It is free.
http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

Step 2: Install Eclipse.

Step 3: Get the Adobe's Flex Builder plugin.
http://www.adobe.com/cfusion/entitlement/index.cfm?e=flexbuilder3

Step 4: Install the plugin.

Step 5: Run the version with the plugin. It should be in the Flash Builder Plug-in folder. I have it as follows:
"C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Adobe Flash Builder 4 Plug-in\eclipse-host-distro\eclipse.exe"

Flash Error #2048 : Security sandbox violation: %1 cannot load data from %2.

2011-03-15T21:36:00.000-07:00

Many Flash AS3 developer have encountered this problem and wondering what the...

The problem is simple. Your swf in domain A is trying to access a swf from domain B, and it does not like it...

I have a few solutions to this problem.

1) add a cross domain xml on to the root directory of your domain. You can see example here.
2) load the swf using byte array. You can see the example here.
3) add "Security.allowDomain(...domains)" to the swf you are trying to access.

Here is a code to achieve solution #3.

public class IHateDomainIssues extends Issues {

  pubic function IHateDomainIssues():void {

  // allow all domain

    Security.allowDomain("*"); 

  // TODO: your loading swf code

}

}

There you have it. Feel free to ask if you have questions.

Related Links:
cross domain
loading-files-using-urlstream
Adobe ActionScript Language Reference

Loading files using URLStream:

2011-03-14T21:50:00.000-07:00

There are many ways one can load files in Flash Action Script 3, and this is one of the methods to do so. But more importantly, this is one of the ways you can use to by pass the annoying "Flash Error #2048: Sandbox Security Error."

Here is a sample you can use to load file using URLStream.

package {

import flash.display.Sprite;

import flash.errors.*;

import flash.events.*;

import flash.net.URLRequest;

import flash.net.URLStream;

public class URLStreamExample extends Sprite {

private static const ZLIB_CODE:String = "CWS";

private var stream:URLStream;

public function URLStreamExample() {

stream = new URLStream();

var request:URLRequest = new URLRequest("http://www.thongvu.com/arrow.gif");

addMyListeners(stream);

try {

stream.load(request);

} catch (error:Error) {

trace("Unable to load requested URL.");

}

private function addMyListeners(target:EventDispatcher):void {

if(target==null)

return;

target.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, completeHandler);

target.addEventListener(HTTPStatusEvent.HTTP_STATUS, httpStatusHandler);

target.addEventListener(IOErrorEvent.IO_ERROR, ioErrorHandler);

target.addEventListener(Event.OPEN, openHandler);

target.addEventListener(ProgressEvent.PROGRESS, progressHandler);

target.addEventListener(SecurityErrorEvent.SECURITY_ERROR, securityErrorHandler);

}

private function parseHeader():void {

trace("parseHeader");

trace("isCompressed: " + isCompressed());

trace("version: " + stream.readByte());

var bytes:ByteArray();

stream.readByte(bytes);

var loader:Loader = new Loader();

loader.loadBytes( bytes, new LoaderContext(false, ApplicationDomain.currentDomain));

var loaderInfo:LoaderInfo = loader.contentLoaderInfo;

loaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, assetBytesLoaded);

loaderInfo.addEventListener(IOErrorEvent.IO_ERROR, loadErrHandler);

loaderInfo.addEventListener(IOErrorEvent.NETWORK_ERROR, loadErrHandler);

loaderInfo.addEventListener(SecurityErrorEvent.SECURITY_ERROR, loadErrHandler);

}

private function isCompressed():Boolean {

return (stream.readUTFBytes(3) == ZLIB_CODE);

}

private function completeHandler(event:Event):void {

trace("completeHandler: " + event);

parseHeader();

}

private function openHandler(event:Event):void {

trace("openHandler: " + event);

}

private function progressHandler(event:Event):void {

trace("progressHandler: " + event);

}

private function securityErrorHandler(event:SecurityErrorEvent):void {

trace("securityErrorHandler: " + event);

}

private function httpStatusHandler(event:HTTPStatusEvent):void {

trace("httpStatusHandler: " + event);

}

private function ioErrorHandler(event:IOErrorEvent):void {

trace("ioErrorHandler: " + event);

}

/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

private function assetBytesLoaded(event:Event):void {

// bam!!! finally. you got it. congrats. now go have milk and cookies!!!

var myDisplayObject:DisplayObject = event.target.content as DisplayObject;

}

private function loadErrHandler(event:Event):void {

trace("loadErrHandler: " + event);

}

Hope you enjoyed it.

Related Links:
sandbox-security-error
flash-error-2048

Unable to resolve for transcoding with embed image

2011-03-06T21:46:00.000-08:00

If you have ever get this "Unable to resolve for transcoding with embed image" or something similar to this message and wondering what the effF!?!? is going on, then here is the answer...

it's actually so simple that you just want to punch the guy who wrote the compiler in his newbie face...

okay...so some where in your semi-amateur code you probably have...

[Embed(source="../images/HelloNewb.png",
 mimeType="image/png")]

private var MyImage:Class;

guess what--what you actually need is...

[Embed(source="/../images/HelloNewb.png",
 mimeType="image/png")]


private var MyImage:Class;

you see it? it's not that hard. it's not like finding Waldo...what you need was to add the "/" where your source file is located. Retarded? Hell yes!

And if you don't know what I am talking about or how to embed resources in AS3, then see my sample on how to embed images or how to embed fonts.

Embedding Fonts

2011-03-05T22:28:00.000-08:00

If you noobs are wondering how to embed fonts into your SWF using code, then below is an example on how to achieve it.

Here, I have a FontManager class that contains the fonts I want to include in my SWF.

package
 {

  public
 class FontManager {

 [Embed(systemFont='Arial', fontName="Arial", mimeType="application/x-font-truetype")]

 public static
 const FONT_ARIAL:String;

 [Embed(systemFont='Verdana',fontName="Verdana",mimeType="application/x-font-truetype")]

 public static const FONT_VERDANA:String;

 [Embed(source='/fonts/NEWB.TTF',
 fontName="Newb", mimeType="application/x-font-truetype")]

 public
 static const FONT_NEWB:String; 



 [Embed(source="C:\WINDOWS\Fonts\SEXY_TIME.ttf",
 fontName="SexyTime",
 mimeType="application/x-font-truetype")]

public static const FONT_SEXY_TIME:String;

}

}

package {

  public class EmbedFontExample {

    public function EmbedFontExample() : void {

      var font1:String
 = FontManager.FONT_SEXY_TIME; 

}

}

}

There you have it. Now you know how to embed fonts.

Related Links:
Embed Images/JPG/PNG/SWF
Error Transcoding

Embedding Resources/Images/JPG/PNG/SWF with AS3

2011-03-03T21:26:00.000-08:00

If you are wondering how you can add sexy JPG or fantastic PNG or "copied/borrowed" SWF to your boring SWF without editing the FLA, then below is an example on how to do it.

In this example, I will show you how to add an image to stage after using the embed statement.

package {

  public class EmbedResourcesExample1 {

    [Embed(source="../images/HelloWorld.png", mimeType="image/png")]

    private var MyImage:Class;

    public function EmbedResourcesExample1() : void {

      var image:Bitmap = new MyImage(); 

      addChild(image);

}

}

}

This next example, I will show you how to embed a SWF to your main SWF.

package {

  public class EmbedResourcesExample2 {

    [Embed(source="../images/HelloWorld.swf", symbol="hello")]

    private var MySWF:Class;

    public function EmbedResourcesExample2() : void {

      var mySWF:Sprite = new MySWF(); 

      addChild(mySWF);

}

}

}

And there you have it. With the above samples, you can now successfully add JPGs or PNGs or SWFs to your main SWF file.

Related Links:
Error transcoding
Embed Fonts

Flash Error #2048: Sandbox Security Error

2011-03-02T23:03:00.000-08:00

This flash action script error 2048 sandbox security error happens when your swf is trying to access an outside website without permission from that website.

Solution:

Add a cross domain xml on the website that your swf is trying to access. A sample of the xml is shown below:

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" ?>
<cross-domain-policy>
  <allow-access-from domain="*.thongvu.com"/>
</cross-domain-policy>

Flash Error #1009: Cannot access a property or method of a null

2011-03-01T23:24:00.000-08:00

This Flash action script error 1009 "cannot access a property or method of a null" or "null has no properties" usually happens when the object you are trying to access is not on stage or has not been instantiated, yet you are trying to access a method or a property on that object.

Solution:

If you are unsure check if the object is exists before calling methods or accessing its properties. Ex:

if( object != null )

    object.doSomethingFun();

or if you are unsure if the object exists or not on stage do an if check!

if( object != null )

stage.removeChild(object);

I hope that helps. If you have questions, feel free to leave comments.

Related Links:
list of errors

Flash Error #1090: XML parser failure element is malformed

2011-02-28T23:47:00.000-08:00

This Flash action script error 1090 with message such as "XML parser failure" or "element is malformed" happens when you try to parse or read an XML with mismatching nodes or tags.

Solution:

Check the XML nodes. Each node should end with a matching tag with the terminator "/". For example:

<xml>

  <node1>hi</node1>

  <node2>hello</node2>

</xml>

Other similar XML errors include:

	1087	Assignment to indexed XML is not allowed.
	1088	The markup in the document following the root element must be well-formed.
	1089	Assignment to lists with more than one item is not supported
	1090	XML parser failure: element is malformed
	1091	XML parser failure: Unterminated CDATA section
	1092	XML parser failure: Unterminated XML declaration
	1093	XML parser failure: Unterminated DOCTYPE declaration
	1094	XML parser failure: Unterminated comment
	1095	XML parser failure: Unterminated attribute
	1096	XML parser failure: Unterminated element
	1097	XML parser failure: Unterminated processing instruction

Flash Error #3000: Illegal path name

2011-02-27T00:04:00.000-08:00

This Flash action script error 3000 with message "Illegal path name" happens when you try to access a wrong path.

Solution:

private var file:File = File.documentsDirectory; 
public function download():void{
  var pdfFilter:FileFilter = new FileFilter("PDF Files", "*.pdf"); 
  file.browseForOpen("Open", [pdfFilter]); 
  file.addEventListener(Event.SELECT, fileSelected);

private function fileSelected(e:Event):void { 
  var destination:File = File.applicationDirectory
  destination = destination.resolvePath("test.pdf");

  /*
  //This works, also if the file to copy is placed inside the appfolder
  file.copyTo(destination, true);
  */

  /**

   * This Throws me an Error #3000, but ONLY if the file is located in
   * the App folder

   */
  file.openWithDefaultApplication();
}

How to display a message to the console:

2011-02-26T00:26:00.000-08:00

To display a message to the console or flash log file, we pass a string to the method trace.

Example:

trace("hello world!");
trace("my name is thong.");

the code above will display to the console:
hello world!
my name is thong.

How to add comments to AsDoc:

2011-02-10T20:21:00.000-08:00

Here is a list of AsDoc tags and the special HTML tags you can use in your code. But generally it is the standard documentation with extra tags you can use. Below is an example:

/**

 * This function says hi.

*

 * @param  message    the text you wish to be printed.

*

 * @return   true, if successful; false otherwise.

*/

public function say(message:String) : Boolean

{

     var success:Boolean = false; 

     if( message != null ) 

{

        trace(message);

        success = true; 

}

     return success;

}

@param is the parameter of the function 

@return is of course specify the return type.

How to auto scroll to bottom page in a TextArea:

2011-01-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

Below is the code to autoscroll your mouse cursor to the bottom of the TextArea.

import fl.controls.TextArea;

import flash.utils.setTimeout;

var outputTA : TextArea;

createTextArea(50, 50, 100, 100);

showMessage("How to auto scroll to bottom page in a textfield:\n");

showMessage("this is top!");

showMessage("\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n");

showMessage("this is bottom!");

/**

 * Creates the text area.

*/

function createTextArea(x:Number, y:Number, width:Number, height:Number) : void

{

    outputTA = new TextArea();

    outputTA.setSize(width, height); 

    outputTA.move(x, y);

    addChild(outputTA);

}

/**

 * Display message to text area

*/

function showMessage(message:String):void

{

    outputTA.text += message + "\n";

    autoscroll();

}

/**

 * Automatically scroll to the bottom of the textarea

*/

function autoscroll():void

{

    setTimeout(function():void{outputTA.verticalScrollPosition = outputTA.maxVerticalScrollPosition;},100);

}

How to use Flash Actionscript to save a MovieClip or Sprite to JPEG file:

2011-01-27T23:18:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wonder how you can use Flash actionscript to save images? Well, it is quite easy and below is the code you will need for doing so, more specifically, it will allow you to save MovieClip or Sprite to JPEG.

In order to do this, you will need the as3corelib and the save function in FileReference class requires minimum Flash Player 10 or Air 1.5.

import flash.errors.IllegalOperationError;

import flash.errors.MemoryError;

import flash.net.FileReference;

import com.adobe.images.JPGEncoder;

/**

 * This function saves a movieclip to a jpeg.

*

 * @param    image        the movieclip.

 * @param    imageName    the name that will be saved for this jpeg.

*/

function saveImage( image:MovieClip, imageName:String ) : void {

    try {

    // create a copy of the image

        var jpgSource:BitmapData = new BitmapData( image.width, image.height );

        jpgSource.draw(image);

    // encode it to jpeg and convert it to byte array

        var jpgEncoder:JPGEncoder = new JPGEncoder(85);

        var jpgStream:ByteArray = jpgEncoder.encode(jpgSource);

    // create a file reference to save the byte array

    // this will save the image to ".jpg"

        var file:FileReference = new FileReference();

        file.addEventListener( IOErrorEvent.IO_ERROR, ioErrorHandler );

        file.save( jpgStream, imageName );

}

    catch( ioe:IllegalOperationError ) {

        trace("Illegal operation.");

}

    catch( ae:ArgumentError ) {

        trace("Invalid argument.");

}

    catch( me:MemoryError ) {

        trace("Insufficient memory.");

}

    catch( error:Error ) {

        trace("Error trying to save image : " + imageName 

              + " . Error : " + error);

}

}

/**

 * Handles IOErrors.

*/

function ioErrorHandler( event:IOErrorEvent ) : void {

    trace("ioErrorHandler: " + event);

}

Related Links:

as3corelib

FileReference

How to setup Asdoc for Eclipse:

2011-01-26T20:25:00.000-08:00

Give me the right tools and I shall build the world...well what happens if they do not come with instructions? And of course, what is the use of the most brilliant code without documentations on what they are for? Having said that, programmers really need to write documentations on the code that they wrote...

After writing the documentation, you would of course want to have it some where online to easily look through it. Ask and you shall receive, so you have AsDoc...

Below are steps to set up your eclipse to generate asdocs for AS3.

Step 1-
Open External Tools. Run Menu->External Tools->External Tools...

Step 2-
Click on Program and click on the white rectangle to create a new configuration.

Step 3-
In the Name text field type in AsDoc or whatever you want to name this configuration that generates asdocs.

Step 4-
In the Location text field, type in the location of your asdoc.exe file. If you don't already have a copy of Flex SDK, then grab one before proceeding. For this example I have saved it to:

C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Flex Builder 3 Plug-in\sdks\4.1.0\bin\asdoc.exe

Step 5-
In the Working Directory text field, type in the working folder that you are currently using.

Step 6-
In the Arguments text field, type in any arguments you want to add when generating asdocs.
For the complete list you can check out this Adobe Flex 4 Asdocs. In this example I only used the bare minimum, which is:

-doc-sources C:\Projects\MyProject

-output C:\Projects\MyProject\doc

-main-title "My Project API"

-window-title "My Project API"

-doc-sources is the folder you wish to generate the asdocs. Asdoc.exe will look for all the ".as" files in this folder, so do not worry if you have folders within folders in this folder. Asdoc will search and generate.
-output is obviously will be the location you wish to save the asdoc files.
-main-title is the text that appears at the top of the HTML pages in the output documentation.
-window-title is the text that appears in the browser window in the output documentation.

Step 7-
Click Apply and Run

Related Links:
Flex SDK
Adobe Flex 4 Asdocs

How to print a MovieClip/Sprite/Image:

2011-01-25T20:53:00.000-08:00

Below is the code to send a MovieClip/Sprite/Image to the printer. The minimum requirement is Flash Player 9 or Air 1.0.

import flash.printing.PrintJob;

/**

 * This function will print a sprite.

*

 * @param  image  the sprite to be printed or send to printer

 */

function printImage( image:Sprite ) : void {

    var pj:PrintJob = new PrintJob();

    var pagesToPrint:uint = 0;

    if( pj.start() ) {                

        image.height = pj.pageHeight;

        image.width  = pj.pageWidth;

        try {

            pj.addPage(image);

            pagesToPrint++;

        }

        catch(e:Error) {

            // do nothing

        }

        if(pagesToPrint > 0) {

            pj.send();

        }

    }

}

Related Links:

Flash 103 Advanced

Save MovieClip/Sprite

How to print a MovieClip/Sprite/Image in landscape mode:

2011-01-24T21:27:00.000-08:00

Below is the code to print a MovieClip/Sprite/Image in landscape mode. The minimum requirement is Flash Player 9 or Air 1.0.

import flash.printing.PrintJob; 

import flash.printing.PrintJobOrientation;

/**

 * This function prints a sprite to landscape mode.

*

 * @param     image     the sprite to be printed.  

*/

function printLandscape( image:Sprite ) : void {

    var  realW:Number = clip.width;

    var realH:Number = clip.height;

     var orgX:Number = clip.x;

    var orgY:Number = clip.y;

    var  pj:PrintJob = new PrintJob();

    var options:PrintJobOptions = new  PrintJobOptions();

    options.printAsBitmap = true;

    var  pageCount:Number = 0;

    if ( !pj.start() ) return;

     clip.x = 0;

    clip.y = 0;

    var cscaleX:Number,  cscaleY:Number;

    if ( pj.orientation.toLowerCase() !=  "landscape" ) {

        clip.rotation = 90;

        clip.x =  clip.width;

        cscaleX = pj.pageWidth / realH;

        cscaleY = pj.pageHeight / realW;

    }

    else {

        cscaleX = pj.pageWidth / realW;

        cscaleY = pj.pageHeight / realH;

    }

    clip.scaleX =  clip.scaleY = Math.min( cscaleX, cscaleY );

    if ( pj.addPage(clip,  new Rectangle(0, 0, realW, realH), options) ) 

       pageCount++;

     if (pageCount > 0) 

       pj.send();

    clip.scaleX = clip.scaleY = 1;

     clip.rotation = 0;

    clip.x = orgX;

    clip.y = orgY;

     pj=null;

}

Related Links:

Print Sprite/MovieClip

Flash 103: Advanced

Steamed Fish Lemon Grass

2010-01-10T19:46:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone,

Today I am going to show you how to make a tasty and delicious steamed fish dish yet very quick and easy to do.

This dish will require the following items.
Ingredients
:: fish ( in this example i used a Tilapia)
:: lemon grass
:: green onions
:: ginger
:: mushrooms

Preparation Time: 15 mins
Cooking Time: 12 mins
Total Time: 27 mins

Step 1:
Clean the fish by removing the scales and guts. To do this, scape the fish with a fish scaler or the back of the knife with quick short motion from tail to head. Cut on the bottom of the fish from the gills to the vent and remove the entrails. Rinse it well with water.

Step 2:
Make about five cuts at a 45-degrees angle perpendicular to the fish.

Step 3:
Slice the mushrooms into a few pieces at a 45-degrees angle. Cut the green onions and the lemon grass in half. Slice a few pieces of ginger small enough to fit in the fish opening cuts that we made earlier.

Step 4:
Stuff the mushroom and the ginger pieces into the cuts we made earlier on the fish.

Step 5:
Lay the green onions and the lemon grass on a plate and place the fish on top of that. This allows the steam to also get into the other side of the fish.

Step 6:
Have the water boiling and place the fish into the pot. Wait for about 12-15 minutes for the fish to cook.

Step 7:
When the fish is about to be done. Heat up a pot and place some extra virgin olive oil (EVOO). Mince up some lemon grass and ginger and place it in medium fire oil. Let it cook for about 3 minutes and turn it off.

Step 8:
After the fish is cooked, take it out of the pot and place it on a dish. Pour the sauce that you just made in Step 7 onto the fish. Also get some soy sauce and sprinkle on top of the fish for some taste.

Step 9:
Enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Google Toilet Paper

2010-01-09T02:28:00.000-08:00

So I went to the supermarket to pick up some grocery and look what I found...Google toilet paper people!!!

And it is in Vietnamese. Yes. Vietnamese!!!

My First Entry

2010-01-06T03:05:00.001-08:00

Hello world !!!