Flash CS3 ActionScript 3

3 days

Course Description

Flash CS3 ActionScript 3 offers significant leaps over its predecessor, ActionScript 2. With the new version of ActionScript, developers will find a faster runtime environment, better debugging, a consistent method for handling events, and an improved framework of classes for development.

In this course we will explore best practices when developing rich Flash applications, review important concepts such as syntax, object oriented programming, animating with ActionScript, and controlling objects using the keyboard.

We will also take a detailed look at several classes in the ActionScript 3 class library. Each of these classes will allow us to quickly add rich and robust functionality to our Flash applications. Once you complete the class you’ll have a strong understanding of ActionScript 3 and develop a Flash version of the popular game Asteroids.

Who should attend?

Anyone looking to move from basic ActionScript 2 coding to basic/intermediate ActionScript 3 coding. Those with no ActionScript experience but a good programming background in another language (such as Javascript, Java or C++) looking to learn ActionScript 3.

What will I learn?

How toc reate variables, manipulate symbols and organize your code using Object Oriented paradigms. Manipulate the Flash Document Object Model. Write event handlers that react to keyboard and mouse movement. Enhance your applications through the use of ActionScript class libraries. Read and parse XML. Programmatically animate objects on screen using a physics model.

Introducing the Course

Unit Objectives and Topics
About the Course
About the Author
Installation Instructions
Course Overview and Objectives
Prerequisites
Course Format
Why Flash
Walkthrough 1-1: Reviewing the Finished Application

ActionScript 3 Fundamentals

Unit Objectives and Topics
Getting Started with Coding
ActionScript Basics
Walkthrough 2-1: Declaring and Using Variables
Operators and Expressions
Walkthrough 2-2: Converting Data Types and Operators
Using Functions
Walkthrough 2-3: Using Functions and Methods
Unit Summary
Unit Review
Lab 2: Instantiating Variables

Manipulating Symbols with ActionScript

Unit Objectives and Topics
Introducing Symbols
Walkthrough 3-1: Using a MovieClip and Button's Properties
Working with MovieClip Methods
Walkthrough 3-2: Using Methods within a MovieClip
Working with TextFields
Walkthrough 3-3: Using TextField Properties
Dynamically Adding Symbols to the Stage
Walkthrough 3-4: Adding Symbols to the Stage at Run-Time
Loading Content Dynamically Into a MovieClip
Walkthrough 3-5: Loading External Images
Lab 3: Making a Space Rock
Unit Summary
Unit Review

Object Oriented Programming

Unit Objectives and Topics
Introducing Object Oriented Programming
Walkthrough 4-1: Creating a Custom Class
Declaring Class Properties
Walkthrough 4-2: Adding Properties to a Class
Declaring Methods
Walkthrough 4-3: Adding Methods to a Class
Creating Visual Classes Through Inheritance
Walkthrough 4-4: Creating a Visual Class
Making the Stage a Class
Walkthrough 4-5: Making the Stage a Class and Dynamically Adding Instances
Lab 4: Create an Asteroid and Collectable Class
Unit Summary
Unit Review

ActionScript 3 Events

Unit Objectives and Topics
ActionScript Events
Walkthrough 5-1: Handling Events
ActionScript Event Types
Walkthrough 5-2: Using the MouseEvent
Walkthrough 5-3: Using the Keyboard and Enter Frame Events
Dispatching A Custom Event
Walkthrough 5-4: Dispatching A Custom Crash Event
Working with Timers
Lab 5: Display the TimerEvent and the EnterFrame Event
Unit Summary
Unit Review

Loops and Conditional Logic

Unit Objectives and Topics
Types of Conditional Statements
Walkthrough 6-1: Controlling the SpaceShip
Determine When Objects Overlap or Hit
Walkthrough 6-2: Determine when the SpaceShip Crashes
Types of Loops
Walkthrough 6-3: Adding Asteroids to the Screen
Unit Summary
Unit Review
Lab 6: Keeping Your Asteroids and Collectables on the Stage and collecting items

Exploring the ActionScript Class Library

Unit Objectives and Topics
The ActionScript Class Library
The ActionScript Class Library
Using the Sound Class
Walkthrough 7-1: Adding Sound Effects to the SpaceShip
Programmatically Formatting Text
Walkthrough 7-2: Formatting the Player Score TextField
Getting a Date with ActionScript
Walkthrough 7-3: Determine your Current Age
Arrays
Static Methods and Properties
Walkthrough 7-4: Use Cos and Sin to maneuver the Space Ship and Create Random Asteroids
Unit Summary
Unit Review
Lab 7: Adding Sound and Random Speed and Locations to the Collectable Class

XML with E4X

Unit Objectives and Topics
What is XML
Walkthrough 8-1: Creating a High Score List
Using the E4X Operators
Demonstration 8-1: Using E4X Operators
Accessing External XML Documents
Walkthrough 8-2: Loading External XML Files and Filtering Books
Unit Summary
Unit Review
Lab 8-1: Displaying High Scores with e4x

Animating with ActionScript

Unit Objectives and Topics
Using the Enter Frame Event
Walkthrough 9-1: Copy and Paste Tweens
Using the Tween Class
Walkthrough 9-2: Tweening the Warp Animation
Unit Summary