With the acquisition of Grant Skinner’s gProject Panel, Flash CS4 now provides a much improved project panel. When managing multiple projects, the new Flash project panel allows you to do so much more quickly and easily.

The new Project panel helps you do the following:

• Create, manage, and visualize projects
• Switch between project folders quickly
• Open files for editing
• Create files and folders
• Test and publish project files
• Bind external resources to your project

Working with the Project panel in Flash

Dan Carr recently wrote an article which provides an overview of the Project panel in Flash CS4 Professional and includes a tutorial to help you begin using the tool quickly. The tutorial guides you through the creation of a photo gallery slideshow project from a series of supplied assets.

It is definitely worth the read if you’ve never used the Flash project panel before. Even if you have, this article provides some handy tips and tricks on enhancing the use of the Flash Project panel.

Free Update to Flash CS4 Project Panel

Grant was kind enough to release an update to the Project panel with new features that will get some very excited.  Learn more about this update!

Additional Resources:

• Learn more about the Project Panel
• Project Panel tips and tricks

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What is De MonsterDebugger?

These days my ActionScript 3.0 debugger of choice has been De MonsterDebugger.  De MonsterDebugger is an easy to use open source debugger for Adobe Flash,Flex, and AIR created by the guys over at De Monsters.  Not only does it provide an Adobe-styled familiar interface, but it comes in a convenient Adobe AIR Application.  It’s impressive list of features make it a tough debugger to compete with.

DeMonster Debugger comes with an impressive set of features:

• Can be used with Adobe AIR applications
• Can be used with Adobe Flex applications
• Can be used with full screen Adobe Flash applications
• Trace strings, numbers, objects, arrays, XML and even custom classes
• Trace the complete structure of multilevel objects
• Trace messages in custom colors
• Explore your live application
• Edit properties at runtime
• Run methods and get the results at runtime
• Application is lightweight
• Auto update
• Look and feel of Adobe CS4
• Customizable interface
• Highlight display objects
• Client class included
• Example application included
• FDT templates included

The one feature that is probably missing from it’s feature set is probably the ability to step through break points, but hey, I won’t be picky. It is still a great debugging tool and best of all it is open source!

Check out the video rundown on De MonsterDebugger!

Be sure you check out this video created by Lee Brimelow as he demonstrates some of the coolest features this slick debugging tool has to offer.

Additional Resources:

• Download the AIR application
• Learn more about De MonsterDebugger
• Spread the word

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The day that many of us have been waiting for has arrived. Today, beta versions of both Flash Builder 4 and Flash Catalyst are now available for download via Adobe Labs. The two new beta releases have been in closed beta for quite some, but as of today the doors are now opened.

A Little Bit About the Two

Flash Builder(formerly Flex Builder) 4 delivers a long list of new features, plus improvements to many existing features.There are three main themes to this release: developer productivity, designer-developer work-flow, and data-centric application development.

As for Flash Catalyst, this new tool looks to vastly improve designer/developer work-flow when dealing with the Flex Framework and development of RIAs.

Further Readings:

While the news of the beta releases of Flash Builder 4 and Flash Catalyst is still young, I have compiled a list of resources that will help you get up to date topic. Enjoy!

• Overview of Flex 4(Gumbo)
• Top 10 Changes in Flex 4
• Beta versions of Flash Catalyst and Flex on Labs
• What’s new in Flash Builder 4 beta
• Learn to Use Flash Builder 4 and Flex 4 SDK

Related posts:

• Kevin Lynch’s Flash Catalyst Demo At Web 2.0 Keynote
• Create a Custom Spring Effect in Flex Builder
• Adobe AIR for Linux Beta Just Updated!
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Earlier this week, I introduced a new, innovative prototyping tool called FlairBuilder.  I was happy to help Cristian Pascu get the word out about his new application.  If you are one of the many that has downloaded the trial, I’d love to see what type of wireframes you’ve come up with.

After many trial downloads, Cristian and I decided to provide an opportunity to earn yourself a free license of FlairBuilder. Cristian was kind enough to giveaway 5 FlairBuilder licenses to those willing to participate in this contest.

How do I participate?

We would like for you to create a 2-3 wireframe flow based on a new or existing website or project.  This is not only a great opportunity to really experience the excitement surrounding FlairBuilder,it is also an opportunity to win yourself a license.  Once you’ve created your wireframe flow, use the comment section below to link to it from your own server using the live online viewer.

Submit an URL like this:
http://www.flairbuilder.com/viewer/?url=YOUR_OWN_URL_HERE

The rules…

• The rules are simple.  All that we ask is to submit something that you’ll be proud of.
• You must leave a valid email address when filling up the comment form.
• Contest ends May 25, 2009, after which comments will be disabled.
• Winners will be selected by Cristian himself

Can’t wait to see the results.  Have fun!

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• FlairBuilder: An Adobe AIR Based Rapid Prototyping Tool
• What Can You Do In 25 Lines Of Code?
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The guys over at Jumpeye have recently released an update to their exiting flash text effects component, TxEff.   This is an update which targets improved performance, quality, and Flash integration.  The great thing about TxEff is that it allows you to create quality effects and transitions with little effort and time and saving time is huge when dealing with multiple Flash projects.  Learn more about TxEff2 below.

What is TxEff2?

TxEff2 is a Flash CS3/CS4 AS3 component created for easing the text animation process. TxEff2 is also a framework based on patterns, a large collection of classes, which enable cool show/hide and swap transitions on texts.

TxEff2 comes with cool new features

• Better architecture (based on the FlashEff engine)
• Improved performance (thanks to TweenLite)
• Lower file-size
• Seamless pattern import
• More patterns (100+)
• Filters (like reflection, glows, stripes)
• Compatible with FlashEff effects and patterns
• Cool new visual User Interface
• Swap through different texts (not only show & hide)

TxEff2 vs FlashEff

If you’ve ever heard of or used FlashEff before you might be asking yourself what is the difference.  Well TxEff is based off of the FlashEff engine which takes advantage of the FlashEff Panel and FlashEff patterns, however, there are some limitations.  While FlashEff allows you to apply the effects to MovieClips along with TextFields, TxEff2 is limited to just effects on TextFields.  Here is a chart that compares the both TxEff2 and FlashEff.

Note: Be sure to subscribe to the RSS feed as there will be a contest giveaway of TxEff2 very soon.  Stay tuned!

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These days as a designer/developer rapid prototyping has become a key component to getting projects in and out the door much quicker.  To this effect, many prototyping tools have surfaced over the last year or so.  A new rapid prototyping tool, FlairBuilder, created in Adobe AIR has just hit the market and first looks of it look pretty impressive.

What is FlairBuilder?

FlairBuilder is a cross-platform tool for rapid authoring of interactive wireframes and software prototypes. FlairBuilder comes with a set of 40+ (and counting) components for prototyping both web and desktop application. These are functional components and not mere images or mock-ups.  A few components include a GoogleMap component, as well as YouTube or Vimeo video player, and even a WebCam.

FlairBuider looks to provide a usable solution to spending less time prototyping and more time developing.  Not only does FlairBuilder make things easier for its users, its free online viewer allows your clients to view the wireframes that you have created instantly using the Flash Player plug-in.

Video breakdown of what FlairBuilder has to offer

Feedback:

Congrats to the author, Cristian Pascu, for taking on such an innovative project.  If you happen to give FlairBuider a run through, take 5 minutes out to provide some constructive feedback.  Your feedback will help push this project further in the right direction.

Additional Resources:

• Install FlairBuilder
• Learn more about FlairBuilder
• Give the online demo a try

Related posts:

• Multiple FlairBuilder License Giveaway
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• Adobe FLVCheck Tool
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In today’s media player development, every attempt to create a personalized media player has resulted in multiple flavors of multiple media players.  Complete saturation and non-consistency!  The need for a standardized video framework is in high demand and sorely needed.  Adobe’s attempt is to provide a standard media player framework, code-named Strobe, to enable the creation and delivery of high-quality, monetized video experiences.

Strobe is designed for content publishers, Adobe development tool users, and Flash Platform partners  - basically, anyone who is developing video on their website today.  Learn more about this new project.

I’m a bit confused…

While I think the efforts of Adobe and its partners will prove worth while, the one question that automatically crossed my mind was “How this will effect the Open Video Player Initiative Project?“  If you are not familiar with Open Video Player Initiative, it is a joint collaboration with community leaders like Adobe, Akamai, and others to provide a standard and open video player framework.

Personally, I was quite excited about this and couldn’t wait to see how this will effect the community.  Adobe has indicated that the two efforts have a common goal.  Unless I am missing something, two separate efforts will probably result into two different “standard” video frameworks.  Lets just wait to see how Adobe Strobe pans out and the impact it will have.

What do you guys think?

Related posts:

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3D engines that take advantage of the Flash Player seem to sprouting about very frequently.  Whether or not these new 3D engines effectivly target a specific market can be left for debate.  One new 3D engine that has caught my eye is CopperCube as it targets individuals that are not familiar with ActionScript but can provide the 3D knowledge that many of us just don’t have.

What is CopperCube?

CopperCube is a 3D engine with deployment targets for Flash (.swf) and Windows(.exe).   You can create simple interactive 3D scenes without the need to write one single line of code (=no programming necessary), or even create whole games with the help of a little bit scripting magic.

It includes an easy to use 3D editor which imports 17 different 3D file formats and is able to create interactive 3D .swf files with physics, lighting and more or even single standalone Windows .exe files with a built-in high speed, hardware
accelerated 3D engine from your interactive 3D scene, which are easy to distribute and do not need an installer.

CopperCube was created by Ambiera, a game middleware and custom game solutions software development company.

So what is CopperCube capable of?

CopperCube Panorama Demo

CopperCube Game Demo

CopperCube Lighting Demo

Is it Open-Source or Free?

Unfortunately, CopperCube is not free nor open-source however, there is a plan to offer a basic and pro editions of this application.  Also, CooperCube is free for 30 days, and there is a discount for people who decide to buy a license while it is in beta testing phase.

Interested?

Ambriera is currently looking for some active testers who can provide feedback during the product’s beta phase.  If you are interested, you can download the beta an give it a shot.

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The community’s cry for a simple guide that would quickly go over some of the most felt changes from AS2 to AS3 has been heard.  Adobe has recently added a new resource to the ActionScript Center called the ActionScript 3 Migration Cookbook.

There you will find a quick introduction to migrating to ActionScript 3.0 from ActionScript 2.0.  It is targeted at designers and developers who have some experience scripting content within Adobe Flash CS4 Professional. It does not require an understanding of object-oriented programming.

Along with this resource of common AS2 code into AS3 conversions is a a downloadable PDF version which basically takes this section of the Devent site and dumps it into a portable version. Overall, this is a nice guide that can provide that helping hand during the first stages of the migration over to AS3.

Download the ActionScript 3 migration cookbook

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While not all our paths to learning ActionScript 3.0 are the same, the resources that are provided to us are.   Some like taking that direct dive into it and learn from their mistakes.  Others would prefer to learn through someone else’s following.  I have compiled a list of the 10 books that may possibly help you learn and/or expand your knowledge of  ActionScript 3.0.

Learning ActionScript 3.0: A Beginner’s Guide

Written for those of you new to ActionScript 3.0, the book describes how ActionScript and Flash work, giving you a clear look into essential topics such as logic, event handling, displaying content, migrating legacy projects to ActionScript 3.0, classes, and much more. You will learn important techniques through hands-on exercises, and then build on those skills as chapters progress.

Essential ActionScript 3.0

ActionScript 3.0 is a huge upgrade to Flash’s programming language. The enhancements to ActionScript’s performance, feature set, ease of use, cleanliness, and sophistication are considerable. Essential ActionScript 3.0 focuses on the core language and object-oriented programming, along with the Flash Player API. Essential ActionScript has become the #1 resource for the Flash and ActionScript development community, and the reason is the author, Colin Moock.

Object-Oriented ActionScript 3.0

Object-oriented programming (OOP) is something that is usually considered a black art for hardcore programmers, not a topic of conversation for Flash developers. However, when adobe introduced ActionScript 3.0 to the mix, it changed everything. ActionScript 3.0 is much more powerful than previous versions, allowing Flash developers to produce robust object-oriented applications.

ActionScript 3.0 Design Patterns: Object Oriented Programming Techniques

Now that ActionScript is reengineered from top to bottom as a true object-oriented programming (OOP) language, reusable design patterns are an ideal way to solve common problems in Flash and Flex applications. If you’re an experienced Flash or Flex developer ready to tackle sophisticated programming techniques with ActionScript 3.0, this hands-on introduction to design patterns is the book you need.

The ActionScript 3.0 Quick Reference Guide

This guide is designed specifically to help Flash designers and developers make the leap from ActionScript 2.0 to the new object-oriented ActionScript 3.0 quickly and painlessly. Formatted so you can find any topic easily.  ActionScript 3.0 Quick Reference Guide explains: Object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts, such as packages and classes ActionScript 3.0 features and player enhancements that improve performance.  Workflow differences between ActionScript 2.0 and ActionScript 3.0 including tools, code editing, component sets,etc.

ActionScript 3.0 Bible

ActionScript has matured into a full-fledged, object-oriented programming language for creating cutting-edge Web applications, and this comprehensive book is just what you need to succeed.  If you want to addinteractivity to Flash, build Flex applications, or work with animation — it’s all here, and more. Packed with clear instruction, step-by-step tutorials, and advanced techniques, this book is your go-to guide to unlock the power of this amazing language. Learn the basics, apply object-oriented programming, and more.

The ActionScript 3.0 Migration Guide: Making the Move from ActionScript 2.0

In this essential and timely guide, ActionScript expert Kris Hadlock speaks squarely to the many thousands of ActionScript 2.0 users who need to make the leap right away. The ActionScript Migration Guide covers all of the major changes in ActionScript from version 2 to 3. The book explains the most important and fundamental changes in ActionScript drawing comparisons between the two languages both visually and contextually.

Foundation ActionScript 3.0 with Flash CS3 and Flex

This book covers all the essential techniques from the ground up, allowing you to get up and running quickly and easily. Starting with the fundamentals, youll learn about using ActionScript objects, manipulating sound and video, and harnessing the power of regular expressions and XML.  The book concludes with two case studies to consolidate what you’ve learned and to introduce some more advanced techniques.

ActionScript 3.0 Cookbook

Each code recipe presents the Problem, Solution, and Discussion of how you can use it in other ways or personalize it for your own needs, and why it works. You can quickly locate the recipe that most closely matches your situation and get the solution without reading the whole book to understand the underlying code.  Solutions progress from short recipes for small problems to more complex scripts for thornier riddles, and the discussions offer a deeper analysis for resolving similar issues in the future.

Foundation Actionscript 3.0 Animation: Making Things Move!

The material inside this book covers everything you need to know to harness the power of ActionScript 3.0. First, all the basics of script-based animation and setting up an ActionScript 3.0 project are covered. An introduction to object-oriented programming follows, with the new syntax, events, and rendering techniques of ActionScript 3.0 explained, giving you the confidence to use the language, whether starting from scratch or moving up from ActionScript 2.0.

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