This example uses buttons to change the colors dynamically.Įducation use: These tutorials were created for my journalism students. With a little finesse, you can change the background color of an entire movie.
It's not a component, so it's only 8 KB in the SWF.Ĭhanging Color: ActionScript can be used to change the color of any movie clip.
With only a few simple movie clips, myScrollbar lets you modify size, shape, color and so on. MyScrollbar: The trouble with using most scrollbars for text fields is that you can't easily convert the appearance of the controls to match your own design.
Unloading SWFs: When you load external SWFs into a master SWF, how can you script the loaded one so that it can unload itself? It's less easy than it sounds - but this example shows you exactly how to get the job done. XML Loader: Essentially a simple linear slide show using JPGs and text loaded via one external XML file, this example shows you how to use any size XML file in a (basically) empty SWF. Dragging objects is not very difficult, but there is a trick to it. These are real essentials for scripting.ĭragging: Making a slider bar requires you to drag a movie clip symbol. The basic play and stop scripts are not complicated.Ĭalculator: Learn how to work with variables, math and text fields. Instead, load external MP3 files dynamically. Sound Controls: Don't make your Flash files huge by adding audio on the Timeline. Loader: The secret to displaying external images (and even other SWF files) is the correct use of the Loader object. ActionScript EssentialsĮNTER_FRAME: This very handy Event is often used to produce continuous motion without using any tweens - that is, animating with script only. Loading Soundslides: The popular Soundslides program creates SWF files, and therefore it is very easy to create a neat package that bundles several Soundslides together with one consistent interface. By using a movie clip, you ensure that none of the animations, etc., are affected by the sliding in and out of the panel overlay. Sliding Panel: A sliding panel is one of the more common uses of the movie clip symbol in informational packages. You can nest movie clips to provide complex functionality in your movies. Movie clips are independent Timelines inside your main Timeline. Movie Clips: If you have mastered basic animation and buttons, you're ready to unlock one of the more powerful goodies in Flash, the movie clip symbol. These two examples show a panel that fades in and out, and another panel that slides in and out. Info Panels: If you want information to appear in a box or panel, you'll want to learn about the movie clip symbol. No ActionScript required! Intermediate Timeline Flash Masks: You'll be surprised by how easy it is to create a moving mask in Flash. This example illustrates best practices for the structure of the Flash Timeline.Īnimation Basics: This step-by-step illustrated tutorial shows you how to make your first animation in Flash. Yet this is the key to creating a simple information package with buttons that take you from segment to segment. Timeline Workflow: Combining tweens and frame labels can be confusing for a beginner. Absolute Beginnersīuttons: The most basic button scripts: stop() and play() The most basic interactivity.
If you find an error in any FLA you download here, please let me know. CS4 files (FLAs) should work fine in Flash CS5, but they will not open in earlier versions of the Flash application. Note that all FLAs here are Flash CS4 unless otherwise noted. Comments are included to help you understand the ActionScript.
These free tutorials for beginners provide most of the instructions in the FLA file, which you can download. How to Do Stuff in Flash with ActionScript 3.0 (AS3)