ActionScript 3.0 at Helpful stuff on Flash, ActionScript, After Effects etc

having written my last post on using Pixel Bender filters in Flash, I got a lot on comments asking me to do some more demo’s on how to actually use the Pixel Bender filters in real cases. so I decided to start out with a gallery of 3 images. in the gallery the transition between each image is animated in and out using the AngledBWHalftone filter by Gus Campbell to make it a bit different.

The Gallery using Pixel Bender to make the transitions between each picture something different

check out the gallery using the AngledBWHalftone Pixel Bender filter here:

the original blog post on Pixel Bender:
click here to read the “amazing examples of Pixel Benders filters used in Flash.”

credits:
Gus Campbell for the AngledBWHalftone Pixel Bender filter.
Rasmus Andersen for the nice pictures from Cuba.

through the last year, I’ve been asked to do 3 different versions of proportionally correctly scalable images that would fill the entire browser. even if the browser window would later be scaled. so here’s the three different versions:

the static version of a fullscreen backgroundpicture in Flash:
fill 100%, rescale if size of browserwindow changes.
check out the static version of a fullscreen backgroundpicture in Flash here

the animated version of a fullscreen backgroundpicture in Flash:
fill 100%, animate to new rescaled size and position if size of browserwindow changes.
check out the animated version of a fullscreen backgroundpicture in Flash here

the version of several fullscreen backgroundpictures in Flash:
fill 100%, rescale if size of browserwindow changes, repeatedly change the backgroundpicture.
check out the version of several fullscreen backgroundpictures in Flash here

a screenshot of the static fullscreen backgroundpicture in Flash

the ActionScript for all 3 versions;
static:

//imports

import caurina.transitions.Tweener;
import NewCustomContextMenu;
//import flash.external.ExternalInterface;

//vars
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
var menuData:Array = [];
menuData.push( {caption:"© 2010 Felix Sanchez", url:"http://www.campjohn.dk/wp"} );
var ncm:NewCustomContextMenu = new NewCustomContextMenu(menuData, this);

var _stageWidth:Number; //width of the stage
var _stageHeight:Number; //height of the stage

var _BGloader:Loader; //loader to hold my picture
var _tBB:BlackBar;
var _tWB:WhiteBar;

var ratio:Number; //to make sure the picture and video is scaled correctly

//LOCAL
var _theFeed:String = "image_bg.jpg";

//ONLINE
//var _theFeed:String = String(root.loaderInfo.parameters.whatFeed);
var _white:String = String(root.loaderInfo.parameters.white);

/*
var theParams:String = "_theFeed = "+_theFeed+" & _white = "+_white;
ExternalInterface.call("alert", theParams);
*/

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

//init
stageInit();

function stageInit():void {
stage.scaleMode = StageScaleMode.NO_SCALE;
stage.align = StageAlign.TOP_LEFT;
stage.quality = StageQuality.BEST;
stage.frameRate = 30;
stage.showDefaultContextMenu = true;
stage.addEventListener(Event.RESIZE, onResize);
setUpForPicture(); //
}

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

//PICTURE
//this all has to do with the picture
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function setUpForPicture():void {
_BGloader = new Loader();
_BGloader.alpha = 0;
addChild(_BGloader);
_BGloader.load(new URLRequest(_theFeed));
_BGloader.contentLoaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.INIT, onResize);
_BGloader.contentLoaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, pictureFullyLoaded);
}

function pictureFullyLoaded(e:Event){
Tweener.addTween(_BGloader, {alpha:1, time:0.4});
myResize(stage.stageWidth, stage.stageHeight);
}

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

//this handles the resizing of the video or the picture
function onResize(event:Event):void {
myResize(stage.stageWidth, stage.stageHeight);
}

//this handles the resizing of the video or the picture
function myResize(stageWidth:Number, stageHeight:Number):void {
_stageWidth = stageWidth;
_stageHeight = stageHeight;

ratio = _BGloader.width / _BGloader.height;
if ((_stageWidth / ratio) >= _stageHeight) {
_BGloader.width = _stageWidth;
_BGloader.height = (_stageWidth / ratio);
}
else {
_BGloader.height = _stageHeight;
_BGloader.width = (_stageHeight * ratio);
}
}

animated:

//imports

import caurina.transitions.Tweener;
import NewCustomContextMenu;
//import flash.external.ExternalInterface;

//vars
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
var menuData:Array = [];
menuData.push( {caption:"© 2010 Felix Sanchez", url:"http://www.campjohn.dk/wp"} );
var ncm:NewCustomContextMenu = new NewCustomContextMenu(menuData, this);

var _stageWidth:Number; //width of the stage
var _stageHeight:Number; //height of the stage

var _BGloader:Loader; //loader to load my picture
var _BGholder:Sprite; //sprite to hold my picture
var _tBB:BlackBar;

var ratio:Number; //to make sure the picture and video is scaled correctly

//LOCAL
var _theFeed:String = "flytbar.jpg";

//ONLINE
//var _theFeed:String = String(root.loaderInfo.parameters.whatFeed);

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

//init
stageInit();

function stageInit():void {
stage.scaleMode = StageScaleMode.NO_SCALE;
stage.align = StageAlign.TOP_LEFT;
stage.quality = StageQuality.BEST;
stage.frameRate = 30;
stage.showDefaultContextMenu = true;
stage.addEventListener(Event.RESIZE, onResize, false, 0, true);
setUpForPicture(); //
}

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

//PICTURE
//this all has to do with the picture
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function setUpForPicture():void {
_BGloader = new Loader();
_BGloader.alpha = 0;
_BGloader.load(new URLRequest(_theFeed));
_BGloader.contentLoaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, pictureFullyLoaded, false, 0, true);
}

function pictureFullyLoaded(e:Event){
var bitmap:Bitmap = Bitmap(e.target.content);
bitmap.smoothing = true;
_BGholder = new Sprite();
_BGholder.addChild(bitmap);
addChild(_BGholder);
//addBars();
Tweener.addTween(_BGholder, {alpha:1, time:0.4});
myResize(stage.stageWidth, stage.stageHeight);
}
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

//this handles the resizing of the video or the picture
function onResize(event:Event):void {
myResize(stage.stageWidth, stage.stageHeight);
}

//this handles the resizing of the video or the picture
function myResize(stageWidth:Number, stageHeight:Number):void {
_stageWidth = stageWidth;
_stageHeight = stageHeight;

ratio = _BGholder.width / _BGholder.height;
if ((_stageWidth / ratio) >= _stageHeight) {
_BGholder.width = _stageWidth * 1.1;
_BGholder.height = (_stageWidth / ratio) * 1.1;
}
else {
_BGholder.height = _stageHeight * 1.1;
_BGholder.width = (_stageHeight * ratio) * 1.1;
}

var newX = Math.floor(-((_BGholder.width - _stageWidth) / 2));
var newY = Math.floor(-((_BGholder.height - _stageHeight) / 2));
Tweener.addTween(_BGholder, {x:newX, y:newY, time:7});
}

several:

//imports

import caurina.transitions.Tweener;
import NewCustomContextMenu;
import flash.external.ExternalInterface;

//vars
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
var menuData:Array = [];
menuData.push( {caption:"© 2010 Felix Sanchez", url:"http://www.campjohn.dk/wp"} );
var ncm:NewCustomContextMenu = new NewCustomContextMenu(menuData, this);

var _stageWidth:Number; //width of the stage
var _stageHeight:Number; //height of the stage

var _BGloader:Loader; //loader to hold my picture
var _BGloader2:Loader; //loader to hold my picture
var _ratio:Number; //to make sure the picture and video is scaled correctly
var _picArray:Array;
var _number:Number = 0;
var _timer:Timer = new Timer(5000, 0);

//LOCAL
var _theFeed:String = "image_bg1.jpg,image_bg2.jpg,image_bg3.jpg";

//ONLINE
//var _theFeed:String = String(root.loaderInfo.parameters.whatFeed);

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

//init
//addEventListener(Event.ADDED_TO_STAGE, stageInit, false, 0, true);
_timer.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, timerHandler);
stageInit(null);

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function stageInit(e:Event):void {
trace("function stageInit");
stage.scaleMode = StageScaleMode.NO_SCALE;
stage.align = StageAlign.TOP_LEFT;
stage.quality = StageQuality.BEST;
stage.frameRate = 30;
stage.showDefaultContextMenu = true;
stage.addEventListener(Event.RESIZE, onResize, false, 0, true);
createPictureArray();
}

//CREATE ARRAY OF PICTURES
//this all has to do with the picture
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function createPictureArray():void {
_picArray = _theFeed.split(",");
setUpForPicture();
}

//PICTURE
//this all has to do with the picture
//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function setUpForPicture():void {
stage.removeEventListener(Event.RESIZE, onResize);
_BGloader = new Loader();
_BGloader.alpha = 0;
addChild(_BGloader);
_BGloader.load(new URLRequest(_picArray[_number]));
_BGloader.contentLoaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, pictureFullyLoaded);
}

function pictureFullyLoaded(e:Event){
stage.addEventListener(Event.RESIZE, onResize, false, 0, true);
Tweener.addTween(_BGloader, {alpha:1, time:1.4});
_number++;
checkNumber();
myResize(stage.stageWidth, stage.stageHeight);
_timer.start();
}

function checkNumber():void {
if(_number == _picArray.length) {
_number = 0;
}
}

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

//this handles the resizing of the video or the picture
function onResize(event:Event):void {
myResize(stage.stageWidth, stage.stageHeight);
}

//this handles the resizing of the video or the picture
function myResize(stageWidth:Number, stageHeight:Number):void {
_stageWidth = stageWidth;
_stageHeight = stageHeight;

_ratio = this.getChildAt(this.numChildren -1).width / this.getChildAt(this.numChildren -1).height;
if ((_stageWidth / _ratio) >= _stageHeight) {
this.getChildAt(this.numChildren -1).width = _stageWidth;
this.getChildAt(this.numChildren -1).height = (_stageWidth / _ratio);
} else {
this.getChildAt(this.numChildren -1).height = _stageHeight;
this.getChildAt(this.numChildren -1).width = (_stageHeight * _ratio);
}
}

//----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
function timerHandler(e:TimerEvent):void {
_timer.stop();
setUpForPicture();
}

—

credits:
Rikke Madsen for the photos

about the logobanner:
for MCH Messecenter Herning I recently did a logobanner, that would show up to 5 different logos from a collection of several logos. the logobanner should randomly select 5 logos, slide them in, await a randomized amount of time, and then slide out again. before sliding in once again, a new logo should be selected, so that new logos would constantly be shown.
the logos should be fed to the logobanner using XML.

check out the logobanner made in ActionScript 3.0 here showcasing pictures of Porsche 911 Carrera 4/4S Cabriolet

Porsche 911 Carrera 4 Cabriolet

the ActionScript for the logobanner:

package {

import ArrayStuff;
import caurina.transitions.Tweener;
import com.gskinner.motion.GTween;
import fl.motion.easing.*;
import flash.display.DisplayObject;
import flash.display.Sprite;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.events.IOErrorEvent;
import flash.net.URLLoader;
import flash.net.URLRequest;
import MonsterDebugger;

public class LogoContent extends Sprite {

private var _theXML:String;
private var _md:MonsterDebugger;
private var _loadedXML:XML;
private var _XMLLogoArray:Array = [];
private var _arrayStuff:ArrayStuff;
private var _yPlacement:Array = [0, 120, 240, 360, 480, 600];
private var _itemToStageNumber:Number = 0;
private var _tween:GTween;
private var _holder:Sprite;

public function LogoContent() {
//init();
}

public function init(someXML:String):void {
_theXML = someXML;
_md = new MonsterDebugger(this);
//trace("_theXML passed to the loaded flash = "+_theXML);

loadXML();
}

private function loadXML():void {
var loader:URLLoader = new URLLoader();
var request:URLRequest = new URLRequest(_theXML);
loader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, xmlLoaded, false, 0, true);
loader.addEventListener(IOErrorEvent.IO_ERROR, xmlError, false, 0, true);

loader.load(request);
}

private function xmlLoaded(e:Event):void {
_loadedXML = new XML(e.target.data);

traceStuff();
XMLcontentToArray();
}

private function xmlError(e:Event):void {
trace("error loading");
}

private function traceStuff():void {
//trace("_loadedXML = "+_loadedXML); //output: complete XML
//trace("_loadedXML.logo.length() = "+_loadedXML.logo.length()); //output: number of logos
//trace("_loadedXML.logo.thePicture[0] = "+_loadedXML.logo.thePicture[0]); //output: name of first logo
}

private function XMLcontentToArray():void {
var i:Number = 0;
while(i < _loadedXML.logo.length()){
_XMLLogoArray.push(_loadedXML.logo.thePicture[i]);
i++;
}
_arrayStuff = new ArrayStuff();
_arrayStuff.convertToLoaders(_XMLLogoArray);
_arrayStuff.addEventListener("loaderArrayReady", loaderArrayReady);
}

private function loaderArrayReady(e:Event):void {
_XMLLogoArray = e.currentTarget._loaderArray;
trace(_XMLLogoArray);
var i:Number = 0;
while(i < 6){
placeOnStage();
i++;
}
}

private function placeOnStage():void {
_holder = new Sprite();
_holder.name = "holder"+_itemToStageNumber;
addChild(_holder);

//trace("_XMLLogoArray.length = "+_XMLLogoArray.length);
var i:Number = Math.floor(Math.random()*_XMLLogoArray.length);
var dispObj:DisplayObject = _XMLLogoArray[i];
_XMLLogoArray.splice(i, 1);
_holder.addChild(dispObj);
_holder.x = -dispObj.width;
_holder.y = _yPlacement[_itemToStageNumber];
//trace("_XMLLogoArray.length = "+_XMLLogoArray.length);

var myDelay:Number = Math.random()*2;

//trace("dispObj.width = "+dispObj.width);

//_tween = new GTween(_holder, 1, {x:-10}, {ease:Sine.easeIn, delay:myDelay, reflect:false, repeatCount:1});
_tween = new GTween(_holder, 1.2, {x:(215-dispObj.width)/2}, {ease:Back.easeOut, delay:myDelay, reflect:false, repeatCount:1});
_tween = new GTween(_holder, 1.2, {x:215}, {ease:Back.easeIn, delay:myDelay+4, reflect:false, repeatCount:1, onComplete:handleComplete});
_itemToStageNumber++;
}

private function handleComplete(e:GTween):void {
trace("handleComplete");
_XMLLogoArray.push(e.target.getChildAt(0));
e.target.removeChild(e.target.getChildAt(0));
//trace("_XMLLogoArray.length = "+_XMLLogoArray.length);
//trace("e.target.name = "+e.target.name);

var i:Number = Math.floor(Math.random()*_XMLLogoArray.length);
var dispObj:DisplayObject = _XMLLogoArray[i];
_XMLLogoArray.splice(i, 1);
//trace("_XMLLogoArray.length = "+_XMLLogoArray.length);

e.target.addChild(dispObj);
e.target.x = -dispObj.width;

var myDelay:Number = Math.random()*3;

_tween = new GTween(e.target, 1.2, {x:(215-dispObj.width)/2}, {ease:Back.easeOut, delay:myDelay, reflect:false, repeatCount:1});
_tween = new GTween(e.target, 1.2, {x:215}, {ease:Back.easeIn, delay:myDelay+4, reflect:false, repeatCount:1, onComplete:handleComplete});
}

}
}

other recent galleries:
ActionScript 3.0: the Fransa Collection Flash with photos by Flemming Scully
ActionScript 3.0: using FIVe3D for a picture gallery
JavaScript: using jQuery for a picture gallery

other stuff made for MCH Messecenter Herning:
showcase: 2 simple banners for MCH Messecenter Herning
showcase: different stuff for MCH Messecenter Herning

these are all examples of how pictures in galleries can be modified using Pixel Bender filters with ActionScript in Flash.
no further explanation, here are the demos:

1) the AngledBWHalftone filter by Gus Campbell.
check out the AngledBWHalftone filter by Gus Campbell used with ActionScript here

2) the cheapDuoTone filter by AIF Kevin.
check out the cheapDuoTone filter by AIF Kevin used with ActionScript here

3) the crossStitch filter by FerrisB312.
check out the crossStitch filter by FerrisB312 used with ActionScript here

4) the scanlines-adj filter by AIF Kevin.
check out the scanlines-adj filter by AIF Kevin used with ActionScript here

5) the Sepia filter by Elba Sobrino.
check out the Sepia filter by Elba Sobrino used with ActionScript here

6) the Zoom Blur filter by Ryan Phelan.
check out the Zoom Blur filter by Ryan Phelan used with ActionScript here

credits:
Rikke Madsen for the nice photo used in every example.
Adobe Pixel Bender Exchange for the Pixel Bender kernels.
Gus Campbell for expertise on using Pixel Bender in Flash.

if using the search method of the String class, this would trace; do stuff to you:

var teststr:String = "blablabla";
if(teststr.search(/bl/i) > -1) {
trace("do stuff");
}

and this wouldn’t:

var teststr:String = "blablabla";
if(teststr.search(/br/i) > -1) {
trace("do stuff");
}

doing the same kind of search in a String with HTML-text, this would trace out; do stuff to you:

var teststr:String = "blab<br>labla";
if(teststr.search(/\<br\>/i) > -1) {
trace("do stuff");
}

and this wouldn’t:

var teststr:String = "blablabla";
if(teststr.search(/\<br\>/i) > -1) {
trace("do stuff");
}

in a long line of different galleries, this recent one I made for Fransa is surely one of the best.
it combines detailed teaser views of each picture in 2 different sizes and a moveable large size picture, again in 2 different kind of views.
I like the way it’s build, the way each picture is used in different ways and sizes to create the true gallery experience and the overall smoothness of the gallery.

HC Midtjylland vs Sønderjyske 30. of january 2010

check out the Fransa gallery here – with concert and handball photos by photographer Flemming Scully

how it works:
the gallery needs an XML with links to each of the 3 sizes of each picture.
in this example the gallery expects a 88 x 123 px thumb, a 190 x 266 px big thumb, and finally for the big version, a picture with at least these measures; 915 x 600 px.
finally along with each picture is a headline text and a descriptive text, both to be delivered in the XML as HTML-texts.
if the gallery is embedded in HTML with a certain parameter, a download button appears in the gallery making each of the big pictures downloadable to the viewer.

how it is set up:
the gallery is set up in ActionScript 3.0 and uses Zeh Fernandos amazing tweening library Tweener.
the gallery is a 500+ lines of ActionScript bastard.
the gallery is set up as a single module and works alone like in the example above (HTML and Flash only).
on the first version made for Fransa the gallery was made to work in the danish CMS Dynamic Web.

the structure of the Flash can be seen here:

/*
FLOW

arrange XML
load alle thumbs
tilføj preloader
opsæt/tilføj thumbs
opsæt forward/backward
load/opsæt/tilføj stort billede
load/opsæt/tilføj medium billede
*/

package {

import ArrayStuff;
import caurina.transitions.properties.ColorShortcuts;
import caurina.transitions.Tweener;
import flash.display.Loader;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
import flash.display.Sprite;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.events.IOErrorEvent;
import flash.events.MouseEvent;
import flash.external.ExternalInterface;
import flash.net.navigateToURL;
import flash.net.URLLoader;
import flash.net.URLRequest;
import flash.text.TextField;
import flash.text.StyleSheet;
import MonsterDebugger;

public class FransaCollectionContent extends Sprite {

private var _theXML:String;
private var _md:MonsterDebugger;
private var _xml:XML;
private var _thumbArray:Array = [];
private var _mediumArray:Array = [];
private var _largeArray:Array = [];
private var _headerArray:Array = [];
private var _downloadArray:Array = [];
private var _textArray:Array = [];
private var _arrayStuff:ArrayStuff;
private var _preloader:MyPreloader;
private var _thumbHolder:Sprite;
private var _thumbMoveTime:Number = 1.5; //customizable
private var _thumbTransition:String = "easeOutSine"; //customizable
private var _navAlphaOver:Number = 0.4; //customizable
private var _navAlphaOff:Number = 0.2; //customizable
private var _navAlphaTime:Number = 0.6; //customizable
private var _thumbDodgeTime:Number = 0.8; //customizable
private var _mediumFadeIn:Number = 1.8; //customizable
private var _largeFadeIn:Number = 1.2; //customizable
private var _mediumHolder:Sprite;
private var _largeHolder:Sprite;
private var _thumbPart:Number = 0;
private var _thumbChosen:Number = 0;
private var _movePic:Boolean = false;
private var _tooltip:Tooltip;
private var _bigMask:BigMask;
private var _downloadAlpha:Number = 0.6; //customizable
private var _retail:String;
private var _cssLoaded:Boolean = false;
private var _cssLoader:URLLoader = new URLLoader();
private var _css:StyleSheet = new StyleSheet();
private var _zoomMode:Boolean = false;

public function FransaCollectionContent() {
//
}

public function init(someXML:String, retail:String):void {
_theXML = someXML;
_retail = retail;

_md = new MonsterDebugger(this);
ColorShortcuts.init();
trace("_theXML passed to the loaded flash = "+_theXML);
loadTheXML();
//xmlLoaded(null); //DW
}

///*
private function loadTheXML():void {
var loader:URLLoader = new URLLoader();
var request:URLRequest = new URLRequest(_theXML);
loader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, xmlLoaded, false, 0, true);
loader.addEventListener(IOErrorEvent.IO_ERROR, xmlError, false, 0, true);

loader.load(request);
}

private function xmlError(e:Event):void {
var someParam:String = "xml not loaded";
ExternalInterface.call("alert", someParam);
}
//*/

private function xmlLoaded(e:Event):void {

_xml = new XML(e.target.data);
//_xml = new XML(_theXML); //DW

var i:Number = 0;
while(i < _xml.item.length()) {
/*
_thumbArray.push("/files/files/"+_xml.item[i].thumb); //NOTICE
_mediumArray.push("/files/files/"+_xml.item[i].small); //NOTICE
_largeArray.push("/files/files/"+_xml.item[i].large); //NOTICE
_downloadArray.push(_xml.item[i].download); //NOTICE
*/
///*
_thumbArray.push(_xml.item[i].thumb); //NOTICE
_mediumArray.push(_xml.item[i].small); //NOTICE
_largeArray.push(_xml.item[i].large); //NOTICE
_downloadArray.push(_xml.item[i].download); //NOTICE
//*/
_headerArray.push(_xml.item[i].heading);
_textArray.push(_xml.item[i].text);

i++;
}

_arrayStuff = new ArrayStuff();
_arrayStuff.convertToLoaders(_thumbArray);
_arrayStuff.addEventListener("loaderArrayReady", loaderArrayReady);

addPreloader();
}

private function loaderArrayReady(e:Event):void {
_thumbArray = e.currentTarget._loaderArray;
trace(_thumbArray);

setupThumbHolder();
}

//PRELOADER -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
private function addPreloader():void {
_preloader = new MyPreloader();
_preloader.x = 789;
_preloader.y = 245
addChild(_preloader);
}

private function hidePreloader():void {
Tweener.addTween(_preloader, {alpha:0, time:1.6});
}

private function showPreloader():void {
Tweener.addTween(_preloader, {alpha:1, time:1.6});
}

//THE THUMBS -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
private function setupThumbHolder():void {
_thumbHolder = new Sprite();
var i:Number = 0;
var thumbX:Number = 0;

while(i < _thumbArray.length){
var thumb:Sprite = new Sprite();
thumb.name = String("nr"+i);
thumb.x = thumbX + i * 89;
thumb.buttonMode = true;
thumb.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, thumbClicked, false, 0, true);
thumb.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OVER, thumbOver, false, 0, true);
thumb.addChild(_thumbArray[i]);
_thumbHolder.addChild(thumb);
i++;
}

addChild(_thumbHolder);
_thumbHolder.x = 13;
_thumbHolder.y = 267;

//MASK IT
var thumbMask:ThumbMask = new ThumbMask();
addChild(thumbMask);
thumbMask.x = 13;
thumbMask.y = 267;
_thumbHolder.mask = thumbMask;

setupForwardBackward();
setupLarge();
setupTooltip();
setupDownload();
}

private function thumbClicked(e:MouseEvent):void {
_thumbChosen = Number(e.currentTarget.name.replace(/nr/ig,""));

showPreloader();
newMedium();
}

private function thumbOver(e:MouseEvent):void {
Tweener.addTween(e.currentTarget, {_brightness:2.55, time:0});
Tweener.addTween(e.currentTarget, {_brightness:0, time:_thumbDodgeTime, transition:"EaseOutSine"});
}

//FORWARD BACKWARD NAVIGATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
private function setupForwardBackward():void {
if(_thumbPart > 0){
navLeft.buttonMode = true;
navLeft.addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OVER, navOver, false, 0, true);
navLeft.addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OUT, navOut, false, 0, true);
navLeft.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, navLeftClicked, false, 0, true);
Tweener.addTween(navLeft, {alpha:1, time:_navAlphaTime});
} else {
navLeft.buttonMode = false;
navLeft.removeEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OVER, navOver);
navLeft.removeEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OUT, navOut);
navLeft.removeEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, navRightClicked);
Tweener.addTween(navLeft, {alpha:_navAlphaOff, time:_navAlphaTime});
}

if(_thumbPart < Math.floor((_thumbArray.length - 1) / 10)){
navRight.buttonMode = true;
navRight.addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OVER, navOver, false, 0, true);
navRight.addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OUT, navOut, false, 0, true);
navRight.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, navRightClicked, false, 0, true);
Tweener.addTween(navRight, {alpha:1, time:_navAlphaTime});
} else {
navRight.buttonMode = false;
navRight.removeEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OVER, navOver);
navRight.removeEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OUT, navOut);
navRight.removeEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, navRightClicked);
Tweener.addTween(navRight, {alpha:_navAlphaOff, time:_navAlphaTime});
}

}

private function navLeftClicked(e:MouseEvent):void {
//if(_thumbPart > 0){
_thumbPart--;
Tweener.addTween(_thumbHolder, {x:-890*_thumbPart+13, time:_thumbMoveTime, transition:_thumbTransition});
//}
setupForwardBackward();
}

private function navRightClicked(e:MouseEvent):void {
//if(_thumbPart < Math.floor(_thumbArray.length -1 / 10)){
_thumbPart++;
Tweener.addTween(_thumbHolder, {x:-890*_thumbPart+13, time:_thumbMoveTime, transition:_thumbTransition});
//}
setupForwardBackward();
}

private function navOver(e:MouseEvent):void {
Tweener.addTween(e.target, {alpha:_navAlphaOver, time:_navAlphaTime});
}

private function navOut(e:MouseEvent):void {
Tweener.addTween(e.target, {alpha:1, time:_navAlphaTime});
}

//MEDIUM SIZE PICTURE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
private function setupMedium():void {
_mediumHolder = new Sprite();
var loader:Loader = new Loader();
loader.contentLoaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, mediumLoaded, false, 0, true);
loader.load(new URLRequest(_mediumArray[_thumbChosen]));
_mediumHolder.alpha = 0;
_mediumHolder.addChild(loader);
addChild(_mediumHolder);

setupText();
}

private function mediumLoaded(e:Event):void {
Tweener.addTween(_mediumHolder, {alpha:1, time:_mediumFadeIn});
}

private function newMedium():void {
_mediumHolder.removeChildAt(0);
var loader:Loader = new Loader();
loader.contentLoaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, newMediumLoaded, false, 0, true);
loader.load(new URLRequest(_mediumArray[_thumbChosen]));
_mediumHolder.alpha = 0;
_mediumHolder.addChild(loader);
}

private function newMediumLoaded(e:Event):void {
newLarge();
setupText();
_mediumHolder.x = 445;
Tweener.addTween(_mediumHolder, {alpha:1, x:0, time:_mediumFadeIn});
}

//LARGE SIZE PICTURE -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
private function setupLarge():void {
_largeHolder = new Sprite();
var loader:Loader = new Loader();
loader.contentLoaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, largeLoaded, false, 0, true);
loader.load(new URLRequest(_largeArray[_thumbChosen]));
_largeHolder.alpha = 0;
_largeHolder.buttonMode = true;
_largeHolder.addChild(loader);
_largeHolder.x = 190;
addChild(_largeHolder);

_bigMask = new BigMask();
addChild(_bigMask);
_bigMask.x = 191;
_largeHolder.mask = _bigMask;

setupMedium();
}

private function largeLoaded(e:Event):void {
largePicInitX();
_largeHolder.addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, movePic, false, 0, true);
_largeHolder.addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OVER, movePicTrue, false, 0, true);
_largeHolder.addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OUT, movePicFalse, false, 0, true);
_largeHolder.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, largeClicked, false, 0, true);
Tweener.addTween(_largeHolder, {alpha:1, time:_largeFadeIn});
hidePreloader();
}

private function newLarge():void {
_largeHolder.removeChildAt(0);
var loader:Loader = new Loader();
loader.contentLoaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, newLargeLoaded, false, 0, true);
loader.load(new URLRequest(_largeArray[_thumbChosen]));
_largeHolder.alpha = 0;
_largeHolder.addChild(loader);
}

private function newLargeLoaded(e:Event):void {
Tweener.addTween(_largeHolder, {alpha:1, time:_largeFadeIn});
Tweener.addTween(_largeHolder.getChildAt(0), {x:0, time:2});
hidePreloader();
}

private function movePic(e:Event):void {
if(_movePic) {
var widthToUse:Number;
var heightToUse:Number;
if(_zoomMode){
widthToUse = 915;
heightToUse = 600;
} else {
widthToUse = 444;
heightToUse = 266;
}

var forskelX:Number;
var pctX:Number;
var pxX:Number;
var forskelY:Number;
var pctY:Number;
var pxY:Number;
forskelX = _largeHolder.getChildAt(0).width - widthToUse;
pctX = _largeHolder.mouseX / widthToUse * 100;
pxX = forskelX / 100 * pctX;
forskelY = _largeHolder.getChildAt(0).height - heightToUse;
pctY = _largeHolder.mouseY / heightToUse * 100;
pxY = forskelY / 100 * pctY;
if(_zoomMode){
Tweener.addTween(_largeHolder.getChildAt(0), {x:-pxX, y:-pxY, time:0.4});
} else {
Tweener.addTween(_largeHolder.getChildAt(0), {x:-pxX, y:-pxY, time:0.4});
}

moveTooltip();
}
}

private function movePicTrue(e:MouseEvent):void {
_movePic = true;
}

private function movePicFalse(e:MouseEvent):void {
_movePic = false;
largePicInitX();
tooltipInitPlacement();
}

private function largePicInitX():void {
var widthToUse:Number;
if(_zoomMode){
widthToUse = 915;
} else {
widthToUse = 444;
}
var theX:Number = -((_largeHolder.getChildAt(0).width - widthToUse) / 2);
Tweener.addTween(_largeHolder.getChildAt(0), {x:theX, y:0, time:0.8});
}

private function largeClicked(e:MouseEvent):void {
var someParam:String = _largeArray[_thumbChosen];

if(_zoomMode) {
_zoomMode = false;
Tweener.addTween(_bigMask, {width:444, height:266, x:191, y:0, time:0.8});
Tweener.addTween(_largeHolder, {width:_largeHolder.getChildAt(0).width, height:_largeHolder.getChildAt(0).height, x:190, y:0, time:0.8});
_largeHolder.mask = _bigMask;
addChildAt(_largeHolder, numChildren - 3);

_tooltip.gotoAndStop(1);
} else {
_zoomMode = true;
Tweener.addTween(_bigMask, {width:915, height:600, x:0, y:0, time:0.8});
Tweener.addTween(_largeHolder, {width:_largeHolder.getChildAt(0).width, height:_largeHolder.getChildAt(0).height, x:0, y:0, time:0.8});
_largeHolder.mask = _bigMask;
addChild(_largeHolder);

_tooltip.gotoAndStop(2);
addChild(_tooltip);
}
}

//SETTING UP THE TOOLTIP -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
private function setupTooltip():void {
_tooltip = new Tooltip();
addChild(_tooltip);
tooltipInitPlacement();
}

private function tooltipInitPlacement():void {
Tweener.removeTweens(_tooltip);
_tooltip.alpha = 0;
}

private function moveTooltip():void {
Tweener.addTween(_tooltip, {x:mouseX+50, y:mouseY+50, time:0.05});
Tweener.addTween(_tooltip, {alpha:1, time:0.4});
}

//SETTING UP THE TEXT -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
private function setupText():void {
if(!_cssLoaded){
//var cssreq:URLRequest = new URLRequest("/Files/Billeder/fransa/flash/fransaflash.css");
var cssreq:URLRequest = new URLRequest("fransaflash.css");
_cssLoader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, cssLoaded, false, 0, true);
_cssLoader.load(cssreq);
} else {
addText();
}
}

private function cssLoaded(e:Event):void {
_cssLoader.removeEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, cssLoaded);
_css.parseCSS(_cssLoader.data);
myText.normalText.selectable = true;
_cssLoaded = true;
addText();
}

private function addText():void {

myText.alpha = 0;
myHeader.alpha = 0;

if(_headerArray[_thumbChosen].search(/\n/i) > -1) {
var alteredText:String = _headerArray[_thumbChosen];
alteredText = alteredText.toUpperCase();
alteredText = alteredText.replace(/\n/ig, "");
myHeader.headerText.htmlText = alteredText;
myText.y = 97;
} else {
myHeader.headerText.htmlText = _headerArray[_thumbChosen].toUpperCase();
myText.y = 67;
}

var normaltext:String = _textArray[_thumbChosen];
normaltext = normaltext.replace(/<br \/>/ig, "");
normaltext = normaltext.replace(/\n/ig, "");
myText.normalText.styleSheet = _css;
myText.normalText.htmlText = normaltext;
Tweener.addTween(myHeader, {alpha:1, time:4.8});
Tweener.addTween(myText, {alpha:1, time:4.8, delay:0.3});
}

//NAVIGATION -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
private function showNav():void {

}

//DOWNLOAD -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
private function setupDownload():void {
if(_retail.indexOf("448") > -1 || _retail.indexOf("4614") > -1) {
downloadBtn.buttonMode = true;
Tweener.addTween(downloadBtn, {alpha:1, time:_downloadAlpha});
downloadBtn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, downloadClicked, false, 0, true);
}

}

private function downloadClicked(e:MouseEvent):void {
//navigateToURL(new URLRequest("/admin/public/getimage.aspx?Image="+_downloadArray[_thumbChosen]+"&Width=10000&Resolution=300&Compression=100&ForceDownload=True"));
navigateToURL(new URLRequest("/Admin/Public/DWSDownload.aspx?File="+_downloadArray[_thumbChosen]));
}

}
}

—

past galleries:
interested in past galleries, check out these,
a gallery made in ActionScript 3.0 and FIVe3D
a looping gallery in ActionScript 3.0
a polaroid picture gallery in ActionScript 3.0
an ActionScript 3.0 dynamic banner used in a photo gallery
a picture gallery made with jQuery
a simple but nice picture gallery in ActionScript 3.0 and Tweener

credits:
Per Henriksen of Co4 for art directing the gallery.
Fransa.
Flemming Scully for the amazing photos.
The Poul Krebs photos are from Herning Rocker 2009.
The HC Midtjylland photos are from the match against SønderjyskE on the 30. of january 2010.
Zeh Fernando for Tweener.

short intro:
working on a very simple task the other day, I ended up using the getChildByName method of the DisplayObjectContainer class.
first of all, to get a better understanding of what I was working on, check out this:

my very simple Flash without the use of getChildByName

the problem:
clicking one of the polaroids will make it fade in in a bigger version, clicking that bigger version will make it fade out again.
the problem is, the more photos you click, the stranger the bigger version will look as it fades out, because you see every picture loaded in big versions so far fading out.

the solution:
what happens when one of the polaroids is clicked is, that I load the picture, name the loader “myLoader”, and add as a child to the DisplayObject containing the white frame and the shadow.
the trick now is to check if the DisplayObject has any children name “myLoader”. if it has, I’ll remove them before adding the new myLoader, check it out:

my very simple Flash with the use of getChildByName

the ActionScript:
eager to get the code for this, well, just grab the following.
the getChildByName part of the code is highlighted with comments in the code

import com.gskinner.motion.GTween;
import fl.motion.easing.*;
import flash.display.Sprite;
import flash.display.DisplayObject;

var thePic:Loader;
var tween:GTween;

allSmalls.small1.buttonMode = true;
allSmalls.small2.buttonMode = true;
allSmalls.small3.buttonMode = true;
allSmalls.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, showBig, false, 0, true);
picHolder.alpha = 0;
picHolder.y -= 800;

function showBig(e:Event):void {
allSmalls.removeEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, showBig);
allSmalls.mouseChildren = false;
//THIS IS THE SPECIAL GETCHILDBYNAME PART
if(picHolder.getChildByName("thePic")){
var deleteThis:DisplayObject = picHolder.getChildByName("thePic");
picHolder.removeChild(deleteThis);
}
//END OF GETCHILDBYNAME PART
thePic = new Loader();
thePic.x = 11;
thePic.y = 8;
thePic.name = "thePic";
thePic.contentLoaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, fadeBigIn, false, 0, true);
var theNameOfPic:String = e.target.name;
theNameOfPic = theNameOfPic.slice(-1);
theNameOfPic = "big"+theNameOfPic+".jpg";
thePic.load(new URLRequest(theNameOfPic));
}

function fadeBigIn(e:Event):void {
thePic.removeEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, fadeBigIn);
picHolder.buttonMode = true;
picHolder.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, hidePicHolder, false, 0, true);
picHolder.addChild(thePic);
tween = new GTween(picHolder, .6, {alpha:1}, {ease:Linear.easeNone});
picHolder.y += 800;
}

function hidePicHolder(e:MouseEvent):void {
picHolder.buttonMode = false;
allSmalls.mouseChildren = true;
allSmalls.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, showBig, false, 0, true);
tween = new GTween(picHolder, .6, {alpha:0}, {ease:Linear.easeNone, onComplete:moveUp});
}

function moveUp(e:GTween):void {
picHolder.y -= 800;
}

credits:
the ActionScript 3.0 Language Reference on getChildByName.
the wonderful street performers in New Orleans are photographed by Jason Winkler from Houston, Texas.
Stig Meyer Jensen for being a fellow geek.

lesson:
ok, I just learned this by Nutrox:
Mouse events in AS3 go through a capture, target and bubble phase. When a mouse event is triggered it is dispatched by the stage and drills down through the display list (capture phase) until it reaches the mouse target (target phase), it will then bubble up the display list back to the stage (bubble phase).

take a look at this taking advantage of the event path of mouse events in ActionScript 3.0

the old way of ActionScripting my way through a project
for an example like the one above, I would normally add an event listener for each of the 5 squares:

benched1.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, getThatBenchedColor, false, 0, true);
benched2.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, getThatBenchedColor, false, 0, true);
benched3.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, getThatBenchedColor, false, 0, true);
benched4.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, getThatBenchedColor, false, 0, true);
benched5.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, getThatBenchedColor, false, 0, true);

the new way of ActionScripting my way through a project
but with the new knowledge, I now collect all of my squares in a MovieClip, and simply assign the event listener to the new parent MovieClip:

benchedAll.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, getThatBenchedColor, false, 0, true);

this works just as well, nice, right?

the entire ActionScript:

benchedAll.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, getThatBenchedColor, false, 0, true);

benchedAll.benched1.buttonMode = true;
benchedAll.benched2.buttonMode = true;
benchedAll.benched3.buttonMode = true;
benchedAll.benched4.buttonMode = true;
benchedAll.benched5.buttonMode = true;

benchedAll.benched1._color = "C21201";
benchedAll.benched2._color = "7D1C18";
benchedAll.benched3._color = "33231B";
benchedAll.benched4._color = "094239";
benchedAll.benched5._color = "AD9742";

function getThatBenchedColor(e:MouseEvent):void {
benchedtext.text = "e.target._color = "+e.target._color+" & e.target.name = "+e.target.name;
}

credits:
Nutrox, for all the patience :O)
the benched theme from Kuler

inspiration:
even though the post I recently read by Kaiyi Wong was almost a year old, I found it very helpful when it came to understanding GTween.
so I read the lot, made a similar example myself with the newest release of GTween and ended up with this:

check out the new, altered version of Kaiyi Wong’s GTween example here

not really revolutionary, I know, but it shows how smoothly GTween executes lots of animations at once.
and it shows how the movement of both the circle and the square is made.

the use of GTween:
the circle is moved using this ActionScript:
_tween = new GTween(reverser, .4, {x:mouseX, y:mouseY}, {ease:Quadratic.easeOut, reflect:true, repeatCount:2, onComplete:handleComplete});

and basically it means:
move reverser to the position of where the mouse was clicked in .4 second.
use a quadratic easeOut-easing for the animation.
and because reflect is set to true AND repeatCount is set to 2, it will return to it original position in .4 second when having reached it’s destination.
when every animation is ended the function handleComplete will be triggered.

the squares are moved using this ActionScript:
_tween = new GTween(objArray[i], .6, {x:xDest, y:yDest}, {ease:Quadratic.easeOut, reflect:false, repeatCount:1, delay:delay});

which means:
move square to the destination determined by the variables xDest and yDest in .6 second.
use a quadratic easeOut-easing for the animation.
every part of this animation should not be started until the delay has passed.

the ActionScript:
interested in the code for this example?
then grab it here:

package {

import com.gskinner.motion.GTween;
import fl.motion.easing.*;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
import flash.display.Sprite;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.events.MouseEvent;
import MonsterDebugger;

public class GTweenBasics0201Content extends Sprite {

private var _md:MonsterDebugger;
private var _tween:GTween;
private var _reversed:Boolean;
private var objArray:Array = [];

public function GTweenBasics0201Content() {
init();
}

private function init():void {
trace("function init");
_md = new MonsterDebugger(this);
addEventListener(Event.ADDED_TO_STAGE, setupExtras, false, 0, true);
}

private function setupExtras(e:Event):void {
stage.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, reposition, false, 0, true);
var i:Number = 0;
var theX:Number = 19;
var theY:Number = 585;
while(i<30) {
var follower:Follower = new Follower();
follower.x = theX;
follower.y = theY;
follower.name = "follower"+String(i);
addChild(follower);
objArray.push(follower);
theX += 20;
i++;
}
}

private function reposition(e:MouseEvent):void {
stage.removeEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, reposition);
_tween = new GTween(click_txt, .3, {alpha:0}, {ease:Quadratic.easeIn});

var i:Number = 0;
var delay:Number = 0;
while(i<30){
trace("while loop");
var xDest:Number = mouseX + ((Math.round(Math.random()*160)) - 80);
var yDest:Number = mouseY + ((Math.round(Math.random()*160)) - 80);
trace("xDest = "+xDest+" & yDest = "+yDest);
_tween = new GTween(objArray[i], .6, {x:xDest, y:yDest}, {ease:Quadratic.easeOut, reflect:false, repeatCount:1, delay:delay});
delay += .06;
i++;
}

_tween = new GTween(reverser, .4, {x:mouseX, y:mouseY}, {ease:Quadratic.easeOut, reflect:true, repeatCount:2, onComplete:handleComplete});
}

private function handleComplete(e:GTween):void {
stage.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, reposition, false, 0, true);
_tween = new GTween(click_txt, .3, {alpha:1}, {ease:Quadratic.easeOut});
}

}
}

the experiment:
the post by Kaiyi Wong was not only great inspiration, it also gave me an idea for an an experiment I could make.
how if the squares was not just squares but part of a picture?

well, I sliced up this beauty of a picture, and set up an experiment:
check out the experiment of animating with GTween here – 9 slices
check out the experiment of animating with GTween here – 25 slices

everytime you click the stage, the picture will move to this new position.
I like the 25 slice experiment, looks kinda nice.

more GTween:
interested in more about GTween, read my first post on the topic here:
ActionScript 3.0: exploring GTween post 01: the ColorAdjustPlugin

credits:
the blog post by Kaiyi Wong
the Kuler theme used for these experiments
the GTween animation library

imagine having embedded a Flash in HTML, but you only want the Flash to start when you tell it to start using JavaScript.
so, first of all you need to import the proper class:

import flash.external.ExternalInterface;

then you have to make sure, that the function in Flash accessible to JavaScript.

if (ExternalInterface.available) {
ExternalInterface.addCallback("startMovie", startMovie);
}

and of course, you need your function too

public function startMovie(someString:String):void {
var newS:String = someString;
ExternalInterface.call("alert", "the new string is = "+newS);
}

if the Flash is embedded in HTML using the name myFlash, the following would be one way to start the animation in Flash from JavaScript:

var swfMoviePlayer = swfobject.getObjectById("myFlash");
swfMoviePlayer.startMovie("testString");

if you want Flash to activate a JavaScript-function embedded in the HTML, be sure to read
this blogpost on ActionScript to JavaScript communication

Helpful stuff on Flash, ActionScript, After Effects etc

Archive for the ‘ActionScript 3.0’ tag

ActionScript 3.0: Pixel Bender filter used in Flash gallery

ActionScript 3.0: fullscreen backgroundpicture in Flash

ActionScript 3.0: logobanner for MCH Messecenter Herning / Porsche 911 Carrera 4/4S Cabriolet gallery

ActionScript 3.0: amazing examples of Pixel Benders filters used in Flash.

ActionScript 3.0: using the search method of the String class, part 1

ActionScript 3.0: the Fransa Collection Flash with photos by Flemming Scully

ActionScript 3.0: how to use the getChildByName() method of the DisplayObjectContainer class

ActionScript 3.0: taking advantage of the event path when using addEventListener

ActionScript 3.0: exploring GTween post 02: update on Kaiyi Wongs blog

ActionScript 3.0: how to make Flash accept JavaScript to access a function

other stuff

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