Teaching an ActionScript 3.0 Class

I was approached not long before the start of 2009 about teaching an ActionScript 3.0 class at UVU. Besides the fact that it's pretty daunting to come up with a curriculum for a three credit class in only a couple weeks, I'm really excited.

I made a wiki specifically for this class and classes like it, where I plan on posting all class resources (Syllabus, course materials, lecture outlines, outside resources). If you feel like dropping by and taking a look, please do. Whether you're learning AS 3.0 or just feel like giving it a look over, it might be helpful for you. I'd love any feedback or constructive criticism you'd have to offer as the semester goes on.

EDIT: Forgot the link, here it is: http://dgm3780.cahlan.com

Passing ...rest arrays to another function

Quick tip on how to pass ...rest arrays to another function. I ran into this on my current project at work and wasted a good half hour or so before I figured it out. Duh!

private function myFunction1(strVar1:String, objVar2:Object, ... rest):void {
myFunction2.apply(null, [strVar1, objVar2].concat(rest));
}

Meet Saffron, UML Modeling tool for Actionscript built on AIR

I'm currently working on a desktop media application that is growing out of control, both in scope and in class structure. What I thought was going to be a breeze, is quickly turning into a nightmare. Large portions of the application will need to be rewritten because of the last minute features that have to be added. (Gotta love clients who can't see more than 2 feet in front of them!)

So to organize myself and try to get a picture of the task at hand, I began searching the net for a UML modeler for ActionScript. Yeah, yeah, I know what you're thinking, "Why didn't you start with one before you even wrote one line of code?" Well, my project scope doc, if you could even call it that, was only a page and a half. So, I didn't have much details from the client to work with from the beginning. So now, after working hard to create what the client wanted, they see the result and realize they wanted something different, something bigger, something more. So, it has become a highly funded and poorly thought out app, that has caused me much frustration, but I vent.

Out of my UML modeler search results, I found very little. But, I did find one under development that looks very, very promising, Saffron. Here are a few of its features:

• Wireframe editor allows both developers and/or designers to create wireframes for their projects.
• Allows for Actionscript 2, Actionscript 3, PHP4 and Java Code generation directly from the app.
• Sports an entirely customizable UI which contains several dock-able panels that can be placed anywhere by the user.
• Enterprise level capability having the ability to support models with hundreds of classes without performance degradation.
• Beautiful UI.
• Integrated Version Control.
• Sophisticated printing options give you complete control over how your diagram is printed
• Cross Platform on both OS X and Windows.
• Full round trip support for both AS2 and AS3 (Java will soon follow), always keeping your model and code in synch every step of the way.

Can't wait to get my hands on this and try it out. But for now, I'll use the good old gModeler I've used for years, thanks Grant.

Getting Started with AS3

Just got a few good links on Flash CS3 and ActionScript 3 for today. Trevor at senocular.com posted a great tutorial on getting start with ActionScript 3.0 in Flash CS3. New MovieClip() has a tutorial on adding frame scripts dynamically in AS3. And MixMedia has an example of flowing text in AS3.

Flash CS3

Flash CS3! AS3, animation tween-to-actionscript conversion, AS3 UI components, new video components, AI/PSD native import, new debugger, new drawing tools, and so much more! Can't wait to get my hands on this.

I've been so busy over the last 2 months at my new job, that I lose track of whats going on in the Flash world. Cahlan and I now work for different companies, but we both still have a great passion for the new and cool stuff going on with Flash. I'm now the lead interactive developer for Sandman Studios. (Pay no attention to the old website, we've got a cool new one in the works.) Sandman does alot of Hollywood special effects, games, interactive dvds/cd-roms, and of course websites. They have their hands in alot of mediums. Its exciting to see the potential this little company has.

Lately, I've been experimenting with PaperVision3D, a powerful AS2/AS3 3D engine. Here are a few examples of PaperVision:

Cell shading
Star Wars game
Material test
Material test 2
Panorama
Tons more

PaperVision is amazing, its lightweight, very powerful, and opens the door for so many design possibilities! I can't wait until something like this is built into Flash. I will post some of my tests later next week.

Anywho, thats all I got for now.

Reflection class

I'm a Web 2.0/Apple copycat today, so here is a simple class for creating a reflection below any type of displayObject in AS3. View the source here.