RE: [Flashcoders] AIR
I am also using it and can highly recommend it. I have developed 6 apps using Flash and Air, all of which are in the Apple app store and some on the Android market place too. Paul Steven www.mediakitchen.co.uk -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of David Hunter Sent: 20 May 2013 09:42 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] AIR I'm still using it, and always get good feedback from clients. I'd recommend it, although I hadn't considered whether adobe might stop supporting it. David Hunter www.davidhunterdesign.com +44 (0) 7869 104 906 @DHDPIC On 19 May 2013 15:08, Hans Wichman hans.wich...@gmail.com wrote: Hi John, content created today will still run in the future, independent of where air itself is going. I wouldnt worry too much bout it, but that might be just me :) best h Sent from my iPad On 19 mei 2013, at 14:39, John McCormack j...@easypeasy.co.uk wrote: Hi there. I would like to produce some educational material using AIR but am feeling very insecure about its future. Could you possibly let me know how active you are in producing content deliverable through AIR. Thanks John ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Re: OT: Interactive conferences (Merrill, Jason)
This is a really interesting thread. I have been creating Flash content for about 10 years, mainly online small games for clients. Recently I have noticed a real decline in the amount of work in this area no doubt as a result of such games not working on IOS devices. However I have not had any enquiries asking for HTML5 games. I am keen to get up to speed with HTML5 but wonder if there will be sufficient demand especially for HTML5 games. Any freelancers out there who previously made a living making Flash games now getting most of their work in HTML5? If so what type of content are you creating in HTML5? Is it websites, games, apps? It all seems quite a backward step especially in relation to the games. Fortunately I am loving creating games for the IOS and Android with Flash CS6 and AIR though I am making these for myself currently. Thanks Paul Mediakitchen Limited http://www.mediakitchen.co.uk -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Ima Newsletta Sent: 25 January 2013 15:36 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Re: OT: Interactive conferences (Merrill, Jason) Hello mates, I think that the list is missing one of the most important js library for flashist of of there, that is the createjs http://www.createjs.com/ As you all, I'm a flashist (10 years of experience) that had to (re)learn html and javascript. When I began to use createjs, in particular easeljs I was really pleased because it seemed to me to program (quite) exactly as in Flash. A demo is worth 1000 words so here it is 2 demos I made in html/js by using that library (obviously I use also a lot jquery as support and the greensock libs for tweening): Monkey Island - Insult Swordfighting Game http://www.int33h.com/test/mi/ Dungeon Master Social Demo http://www.int33h.com/test/dm/ I'm really pleased by the results. I stronlgy suggest that if you want to learn html/js then you have to begin with createjs. Il 25/01/2013 16:15, John McCormack ha scritto: Some great resources throughout these posts. Thank you so much. Personally, I hope Adobe come storming back with some new tools next iteration. John On 25/01/2013 13:03, Marco Terrinoni wrote: Not too sure about conferences. We have UX in London but not sure how much focus is on JS. On the forum / educational side I have found the following resources invaluable: CSS www.css-tricks.com Chris Coyier's screencasts and blog posts are awesome for learning simple and advanced css authoring and keeping up-to-date with best practices. Experts Exchange http://www.experts-exchange.com/ This is a subscription based service but the quality of programming advice for every language including JS is well worth it For IDE's it's difficult and for me, the single biggest barrier to entry because of the huge number of development options. The key is to find a workflow that works best for you but the following resources I cannot recommend highly enough: - Sublime Text 2 - Wordpress (Bones HTML5 Development Theme) - CSS using SASS (Compass.App) - Greensock Animation Library Sublime Text 2 - Text Editor http://www.sublimetext.com/2 There are thousands of extensions and packages I don't know where to begin If you're learning HTML5 then learning responsive design techniques is a must - this involves using CSS media queries so once you have grasped the basics of CSS, be sure to move to using pre-processing language like SASS or LESS - there's a great article on css tricks about the benefits and merits of each method. I use SASS and it's sped up my whole development process 10 fold!). To do this on Windows I use compass.app http://compass.handlino.com/ If you're using Mac, then Codekit includes libraries for compass. I do a lot of web development in Wordpress, there are a lot of great resources out there but if you're really looking to learn best practices for Responsive Web Design then you cannot go wrong with the Bones HTML5 Theme, amazingly well commented http://themble.com/bones/ Animation: jQuery is obviously ubiquitous but if you're a flasher then you've probably used Tweenmax in AS3 and if you loved using that as much as I did then you should definitely try the new Greensock for JavaScript library. http://www.greensock.com/ It provides a nice, familiar syntax and a ton of plugins that make animation in html5 a lot easier than using jQuery plugins which seem to have a short shelve life due to continual updates of the jQuery library (Can also be used on conjunction with jQuery). I haven't tried Sencha yet but look forward to dipping my toe soon. If you're looking to develop purely in Javascript using MVC design patterns then a framework like backbone.js , dojo or node.js get a lot of mentions though I haven't looked into any of this seriously yet. Cheers Marco Terrinoni - Director
RE: [Flashcoders] elearing content using adobe air for ipad
Thank you kindly Rob. That is really interesting to see how you have
implemented this and very clever indeed.
Much appreciated
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Rob Romanek
Sent: 14 June 2012 18:24
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] elearing content using adobe air for ipad
Hi Paul,
What we do is have a swf that has a library of animations or images, all
contained in movie clips. These movie clips are then dropped onto the stage
and each instance given a name.
Once the swf is loaded you can then reference the instance by using
getChildByName(instanceName). Once you have reference to that animation
you can throw it into any display object and it will show up in your app.
To get around with the stop limitation you can use some code to dynamically
add code to the animations after you have gotten access to them. We do
something like this to dynamically add stop code just before each frame
label of a movie clip. Then you
for each (var fLabel:FrameLabel in _skin.currentLabels)
{
_frameLabels.push(fLabel.name);
var labelFrame:int = fLabel.frame
if (labelFrame 1)
{
//for addFrameScript the frame
numbers are 0 based
//to add a stop frame on the one
previous to the current frame label: -2
_skin.addFrameScript(labelFrame - 2,
function ():void{_skin.stop()});
}
}
//add a stop on the last frame of the skin
_skin.addFrameScript(_skin.totalFrames - 2, function
():void{_skin.stop()});
hth,
Rob
On 2012-06-14, at 9:06 AM, Paul Steven wrote:
Rob
Can you elaborate on this further please?
I am working on an iPad only app using Flash CS5.5 and the client has
asked if the app could load in animated graphs. I initially thought
this would be easy loading in a swf but then discovered that not even
a stop action was possible.
It sounds like you may have an alternative solution so would be
interested to know more.
Thanks
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Rob
Romanek
Sent: 14 June 2012 13:58
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] elearing content using adobe air for ipad
Hi,
You can load swfs into the app BUT the swfs can not contain any action
script in them. This includes giving class names to items in your
library or even simple stop() commands.
We use swfs as external libraries in our as3 built apps but our
approach has been to put items on the stage and name those instances
(which you can do with imported swfs). Then use getChildByName to
extract the instances we need.
You definitely need to use Apple's philosophy and Think Different
but it does work.
cheers,
Rob
On 2012-06-13, at 10:04 AM, Hans Wichman wrote:
. *However* as far as I know you cannot load an swf with it. This
might
require a different architectural setup than you had in mind.
On 13-6-2012 15:35, Sumeet Kumar wrote:
Thanks a lot for such a quick reply.
I haven't googled it much but you guessed it right, I am bit
worried about some features like
1. Will urlloader/loader(inbuilt as3 class) classes work fine. I wish
to load swf built in as3 in my main file.
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RE: [Flashcoders] elearing content using adobe air for ipad
Rob Can you elaborate on this further please? I am working on an iPad only app using Flash CS5.5 and the client has asked if the app could load in animated graphs. I initially thought this would be easy loading in a swf but then discovered that not even a stop action was possible. It sounds like you may have an alternative solution so would be interested to know more. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Rob Romanek Sent: 14 June 2012 13:58 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] elearing content using adobe air for ipad Hi, You can load swfs into the app BUT the swfs can not contain any action script in them. This includes giving class names to items in your library or even simple stop() commands. We use swfs as external libraries in our as3 built apps but our approach has been to put items on the stage and name those instances (which you can do with imported swfs). Then use getChildByName to extract the instances we need. You definitely need to use Apple's philosophy and Think Different but it does work. cheers, Rob On 2012-06-13, at 10:04 AM, Hans Wichman wrote: . *However* as far as I know you cannot load an swf with it. This might require a different architectural setup than you had in mind. On 13-6-2012 15:35, Sumeet Kumar wrote: Thanks a lot for such a quick reply. I haven't googled it much but you guessed it right, I am bit worried about some features like 1.Will urlloader/loader(inbuilt as3 class) classes work fine. I wish to load swf built in as3 in my main file. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Converting a flash game to facebook app
Thanks for all the helpful replies. I spent a good few hours last night trying to follow some tutorials on the web without much success. I thought I would start with the real basics and just try and add a hello world iFrame web page that literally just displayed the words hello world. From what I read it appeared I needed to use a SSL host to host the index.html page so I signed up for Amazon Web Services. Unfortunately this did not work as apparently the way Facebook accessed the page involves sending data via post and this resulted in an error when using Amazon Web Services hosted file. Very surprised it is not more straightforward and also how bad the documentation is considering how huge Facebook is. Possibly I am trying to run before I am not really too familiar with how Facebook works. In all honesty, I am not even sure where a game would appear on a facebook page even if I did manage to figure it out:) P -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Mattheis, Erik (MIN-WSW) Sent: 30 May 2012 20:45 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Converting a flash game to facebook app If by dinosaur you mean you haven't done Facebook since the REST API was retired, transitioning to Graph isn't a big deal if you're not rolling your own but using one of the SDKs - https://developers.facebook.com/docs/sdks/ or the AS3 SDK Sydney pointed to. If you mean you're completely new to Facebook development it can be a huge pain, but you'll save at least a few days if you go into it ignoring all documentation Facebook provides other than the reference: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/api/ Google will find blog posts by people who give step by step instructions for registering your account as a developer, setting up an app, setting up a SDK and giving you source code of a functioning app to look at. On 5/30/12 1:43 PM, Hans Wichman hans.wich...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Paul, I faced the same problem a while ago and found the whole facebook mumbojumbo pretty hard to wrap my head around, opengraphs, graph api etc. The project was cancelled so I was off the hook, but I spent about a week reading facebook's docs none the wiser, so I don't exactly share Sidney's experience. I didn't have a specific goal they wanted me to complete so that made it harder as well, but still. I did find some very good books specifically on flash games on facebook at amazon. regards H On 30-5-2012 18:17, Paul Steven wrote: I am a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to facebook and have been asked to turn a flash game into a facebook app. Before I make a decision on whether I can take on this job I wanted a quick heads up on how complex a process is to do this? Thanks in advance. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders _ _ _ Erik Mattheis | Weber Shandwick P: (952) 346.6610 M: (612) 377.2272 ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Converting a flash game to facebook app
Thanks Rohit I will look at the tutorials again tonight and give it a go avoiding SSL. Many thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Rohit Sharma Sent: 31 May 2012 10:40 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Converting a flash game to facebook app Hi Paul, Did you see the tutorial series by Adobe @ http://www.adobe.com/devnet/facebook/articles/flex_fbgraph_pt1.html. Also, to begin with, you can avoid SSL usage since its not mandatory to use secure url currently. I dont remember the exact roll out date but there is still some time until SSL is absolutely necessary. Once you integrate your application successfully within facebook, you can then migrate to secure connection. Hope it helps. Thanks, Rohit On Thu, May 31, 2012 at 2:42 PM, Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.comwrote: Thanks for all the helpful replies. I spent a good few hours last night trying to follow some tutorials on the web without much success. I thought I would start with the real basics and just try and add a hello world iFrame web page that literally just displayed the words hello world. From what I read it appeared I needed to use a SSL host to host the index.html page so I signed up for Amazon Web Services. Unfortunately this did not work as apparently the way Facebook accessed the page involves sending data via post and this resulted in an error when using Amazon Web Services hosted file. Very surprised it is not more straightforward and also how bad the documentation is considering how huge Facebook is. Possibly I am trying to run before I am not really too familiar with how Facebook works. In all honesty, I am not even sure where a game would appear on a facebook page even if I did manage to figure it out:) P -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Mattheis, Erik (MIN-WSW) Sent: 30 May 2012 20:45 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Converting a flash game to facebook app If by dinosaur you mean you haven't done Facebook since the REST API was retired, transitioning to Graph isn't a big deal if you're not rolling your own but using one of the SDKs - https://developers.facebook.com/docs/sdks/ or the AS3 SDK Sydney pointed to. If you mean you're completely new to Facebook development it can be a huge pain, but you'll save at least a few days if you go into it ignoring all documentation Facebook provides other than the reference: https://developers.facebook.com/docs/reference/api/ Google will find blog posts by people who give step by step instructions for registering your account as a developer, setting up an app, setting up a SDK and giving you source code of a functioning app to look at. On 5/30/12 1:43 PM, Hans Wichman hans.wich...@gmail.com wrote: Hi Paul, I faced the same problem a while ago and found the whole facebook mumbojumbo pretty hard to wrap my head around, opengraphs, graph api etc. The project was cancelled so I was off the hook, but I spent about a week reading facebook's docs none the wiser, so I don't exactly share Sidney's experience. I didn't have a specific goal they wanted me to complete so that made it harder as well, but still. I did find some very good books specifically on flash games on facebook at amazon. regards H On 30-5-2012 18:17, Paul Steven wrote: I am a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to facebook and have been asked to turn a flash game into a facebook app. Before I make a decision on whether I can take on this job I wanted a quick heads up on how complex a process is to do this? Thanks in advance. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders _ _ _ Erik Mattheis | Weber Shandwick P: (952) 346.6610 M: (612) 377.2272 ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Converting a flash game to facebook app
I am a bit of a dinosaur when it comes to facebook and have been asked to turn a flash game into a facebook app. Before I make a decision on whether I can take on this job I wanted a quick heads up on how complex a process is to do this? Thanks in advance. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Detecting if line crosses movie clip
Working on a game where the player must draw around some colored balls on
screen by dragging the mouse to create the polygon that surrounds the
objects.
The polygon is created by drawing a series of lines every time the mouse
moves. If one of these lines intersects one of the balls (movie clip) I need
to perform an action.
So my question is how to detect when the line intersects a movie clip?
The following is unsuitable as it treats the line as a rectangle e.g a
vertical line will have a lot of hit area that I do not want to be hit area
if (ballMC.hitTestObject(lineMC)) {
My other best suggestion is to use the 4 lines that make up the bounding box
of the ball movie clip and do a line intersection test for each line against
the line being drawn. This seems overly complex so before I try this I
wanted to check there is not a simpler solution.
Thanks in advance
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RE: [Flashcoders] Detecting if line crosses movie clip
Thanks Paul - that looks awesome and just what I need
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Andrews
Sent: 16 June 2011 14:48
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Detecting if line crosses movie clip
On 16/06/2011 13:58, Paul Steven wrote:
Working on a game where the player must draw around some colored balls on
screen by dragging the mouse to create the polygon that surrounds the
objects.
The polygon is created by drawing a series of lines every time the mouse
moves. If one of these lines intersects one of the balls (movie clip) I
need
to perform an action.
So my question is how to detect when the line intersects a movie clip?
The following is unsuitable as it treats the line as a rectangle e.g a
vertical line will have a lot of hit area that I do not want to be hit
area
if (ballMC.hitTestObject(lineMC)) {
My other best suggestion is to use the 4 lines that make up the bounding
box
of the ball movie clip and do a line intersection test for each line
against
the line being drawn. This seems overly complex so before I try this I
wanted to check there is not a simpler solution.
http://keith-hair.net/blog/2008/08/05/line-to-circle-intersection-data/
Thanks in advance
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RE: [Flashcoders] Detecting if line crosses movie clip
Thanks Glen - this sounds like another good solution. I assume this would
work when the polygon is just a single line?
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike
Sent: 16 June 2011 14:48
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Detecting if line crosses movie clip
Hi,
Can you measure the vector distance between the centre of the
polygon and the centre of the ball? If that is 0,0, and the diameter of
the circle is less than the smallest of width / height of the box, then
you are inside.
Glen
On 16/06/2011 13:58, Paul Steven wrote:
Working on a game where the player must draw around some colored balls on
screen by dragging the mouse to create the polygon that surrounds the
objects.
The polygon is created by drawing a series of lines every time the mouse
moves. If one of these lines intersects one of the balls (movie clip) I
need
to perform an action.
So my question is how to detect when the line intersects a movie clip?
The following is unsuitable as it treats the line as a rectangle e.g a
vertical line will have a lot of hit area that I do not want to be hit
area
if (ballMC.hitTestObject(lineMC)) {
My other best suggestion is to use the 4 lines that make up the bounding
box
of the ball movie clip and do a line intersection test for each line
against
the line being drawn. This seems overly complex so before I try this I
wanted to check there is not a simpler solution.
Thanks in advance
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RE: [Flashcoders] Detecting if line crosses movie clip
I did mean a single straight line so it probably wouldn't have worked. Fear
not as the code that Paul pointed me to works a treat.
Thanks for the super fast replies
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike
Sent: 16 June 2011 15:26
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Detecting if line crosses movie clip
I am not sure - do you mean single line like a circle, or a single
line as in straight one?
My idea was to test if a circle was inside a rectangle, so not sure if
would work with single lines...
It might not work very well with anything but a rectangle either.
On 16/06/2011 15:09, Paul Steven wrote:
Thanks Glen - this sounds like another good solution. I assume this would
work when the polygon is just a single line?
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike
Sent: 16 June 2011 14:48
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Detecting if line crosses movie clip
Hi,
Can you measure the vector distance between the centre of the
polygon and the centre of the ball? If that is 0,0, and the diameter of
the circle is less than the smallest of width / height of the box, then
you are inside.
Glen
On 16/06/2011 13:58, Paul Steven wrote:
Working on a game where the player must draw around some colored balls on
screen by dragging the mouse to create the polygon that surrounds the
objects.
The polygon is created by drawing a series of lines every time the mouse
moves. If one of these lines intersects one of the balls (movie clip) I
need
to perform an action.
So my question is how to detect when the line intersects a movie clip?
The following is unsuitable as it treats the line as a rectangle e.g a
vertical line will have a lot of hit area that I do not want to be hit
area
if (ballMC.hitTestObject(lineMC)) {
My other best suggestion is to use the 4 lines that make up the bounding
box
of the ball movie clip and do a line intersection test for each line
against
the line being drawn. This seems overly complex so before I try this I
wanted to check there is not a simpler solution.
Thanks in advance
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[Flashcoders] As3 startDrag on triangular shaped jigsaw piece using transparent png
Making a quick jigsaw puzzle with triangular pieces and up against the clock. Bit of a problem where the startDrag is detected when mouse over transparent area of piece. Each piece is triangular shaped by having outer area transparent in source png file. I see hitTest with shape flag doesn't work so wondered if anyone has any other solutions? The main reason this is a problem is because all the pieces are in panel at side and a overlap each other. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server
My flash game needs to call a script on another server to update a subscriber list with a name and and email address. I thought all was working fine while testing from the IDE but have just realised it doesn't work when testing in a browser. I realise this is probably something that requires a crossdomain.xml file on the other server but this is not possible. I therefore seek advice on if there is any other solution to call a script and pass parameters to a script on another server. The script I am calling is a ashx file which I believe is asp. Any help really appreciated Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server
The other server is something similar to mailchimp or campaignmonitor where they have hundreds of thousands of people using their services. Therefore doubt they would add crossdomain.xml for me. They basically offer api to update my subscriber list Sent from my iPhone On 25 Nov 2010, at 19:11, Henrik Andersson he...@henke37.cjb.net wrote: Paul Steven skriver: I realise this is probably something that requires a crossdomain.xml file on the other server but this is not possible. Why not? Did you even ask the people responsible for the server? Either they are going to fix it quickly or they are going to turn you down. And if they turn you down, then you shouldn't be doing this to begin with. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server
Unfortunately the game goes live in 3 hours time so not a case of being lazy as I have just wrote a backup plan in php to save data to a database on client server. My client reported the functionality worked fine a week ago and only reported at the last hour today that it wasn't working. Thought I could get some help here not labelled lazy! Sent from my iPhone On 25 Nov 2010, at 19:42, Henrik Andersson he...@henke37.cjb.net wrote: Paul Steven skriver: Therefore [I] doubt... Quit being so lazy and contact them already. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server
Thanks for all your help Henrik I will ask the site in question in the morning. I was under the impression it would be like every person who used Microsoft Office asking Microsoft to add a cross domain file for their particular scenario. To be honest I just panicked when the client reported tonight that this functionality didn't work and after trying to create a php file that would call the ashx file for me without success and doing a good bit of searching on google, I thought perhaps if there was a simple solution to this that someone on Flash Coders may know and be able to help me in my hour of need. Anyway I will email the site now though as it is UK based assume that I will not get any reply until tomorrow (which is too late!) Thanks for the advice -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Henrik Andersson Sent: 25 November 2010 20:34 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server Paul Steven skriver: Thought I could get some help here not labelled lazy! You do realize that it takes just as long to simply ask the site in question right? ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server
Hi Chris I simply need to send the new subscriber information to the distant server I was given an html form by my client that had to be converted to Flash for the game. The form has 2 hidden variables and then 3 other variables, name, email and telephone. The flash form submitted the data to the script on the remote server (signup.ashx) fine when running from the IDE as the client was able to confirm the data was added but due to the security restrictions of flash it doesn't work from in the browser as my game is on one domain and the script on another. Any advice appreciated Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Chris Foster Sent: 25 November 2010 20:51 To: Flash Coders List Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server Hi Paul, Are you relying on the other server to return information for you to use in your game? Or are you simply required to send new subscriber information to the distant server? C: -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: Friday, 26 November 2010 5:37 AM To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server My flash game needs to call a script on another server to update a subscriber list with a name and and email address. I thought all was working fine while testing from the IDE but have just realised it doesn't work when testing in a browser. I realise this is probably something that requires a crossdomain.xml file on the other server but this is not possible. I therefore seek advice on if there is any other solution to call a script and pass parameters to a script on another server. The script I am calling is a ashx file which I believe is asp. Any help really appreciated Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders This e-mail, including any attached files, may contain confidential and privileged information for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review, use, distribution, or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive information for the intended recipient), please contact the sender by reply e-mail and delete all copies of this message. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server
Thanks Chris I have never used externalinterface before but will google it now and give it a go. Thank you for your help - it is really appreciated. Thanks Paul On 25 Nov 2010, at 21:09, Chris Foster cfos...@catalystinteractive.com.au wrote: Thanks Paul, I assume by 'client' you mean your Flash game, right? If that's so then I think you have a crossdomain issue, but a workaround 'may' be to still use your containing HTML page to send and verify the data, and only use your SWF to trigger the submission of the form using the ExternalInterface class. It might be more than you can achieve given your tight deadline, but it's another option... Does that make sense? C: -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: Friday, 26 November 2010 7:57 AM To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script onanother server Hi Chris I simply need to send the new subscriber information to the distant server I was given an html form by my client that had to be converted to Flash for the game. The form has 2 hidden variables and then 3 other variables, name, email and telephone. The flash form submitted the data to the script on the remote server (signup.ashx) fine when running from the IDE as the client was able to confirm the data was added but due to the security restrictions of flash it doesn't work from in the browser as my game is on one domain and the script on another. Any advice appreciated Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Chris Foster Sent: 25 November 2010 20:51 To: Flash Coders List Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server Hi Paul, Are you relying on the other server to return information for you to use in your game? Or are you simply required to send new subscriber information to the distant server? C: -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: Friday, 26 November 2010 5:37 AM To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server My flash game needs to call a script on another server to update a subscriber list with a name and and email address. I thought all was working fine while testing from the IDE but have just realised it doesn't work when testing in a browser. I realise this is probably something that requires a crossdomain.xml file on the other server but this is not possible. I therefore seek advice on if there is any other solution to call a script and pass parameters to a script on another server. The script I am calling is a ashx file which I believe is asp. Any help really appreciated Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders This e-mail, including any attached files, may contain confidential and privileged information for the sole use of the intended recipient. Any review, use, distribution, or disclosure by others is strictly prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient (or authorized to receive information for the intended recipient), please contact the sender by reply e-mail and delete all copies of this message. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another server
Awesome! Thank you Juan - that worked perfectly! I did get caught out for a
while by not adding
require_once HttpClient.class.php
But once I realised I had omitted this, it worked a treat.
Many thanks!
Paul
On 26 Nov 2010, at 02:25, Juan Pablo Califano califa010.flashcod...@gmail.com
wrote:
I think the easiest option would be creating some sort of proxy in php, if
that's what's available to you on your server.
The only potential problem is (your) server configuration. Sometimes,
external connections are not allowed, so calling functions like
file_get_contents() with an external url won't work.
Also, it seems you need to POST your data, so it's a bit more complex but
not too much.
A week ago or so I had a similar scenario. Though there was a crossdomain
allowing connections from the production server, there was no crossdomain
policy for the staging and dev environments. I also had to receive and send
cookies, so I googled a bit and found this class, which was easy to use and
worked nicely for me
http://scripts.incutio.com/httpclient/
Some sample code for a POST request (taken from the project I worked on,
just slightly modified) :
$client = new HttpClient(theotherserver.com);
// this will print out useful info, enable it when debugging!
// $client-setDebug(true);
$client-post(/theservice.ashx, array(
'first_var'= 'foo',
'second_var'= 'bar',
'etc' = 'blah',
));
// check status code here...
if($client-getStatus() == 200) {
// a string with the server's response
$response_raw_data = $client-getContent();
}
Maybe you can give this a try, it's very simple to install and use (just
download and include the php file; you can find more code examples in the
site).
Again, in some configurations this code could not work; if any external
connection in your server is rejected, then there's not much you can do. But
even in the worst case, maybe you could find a third server that you have
control over and that allows you to open external connections, so you could
add a crossdomain there and run the php http client over there. Then,
instead of talking directly to the ad server or a local php script, you'd
call a third server that you control, which will proxy the communication
between flash and the ad server.
Hope it makes sense!
Cheers
Juan Pablo Califano
2010/11/25 Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com
Thanks for all your help Henrik
I will ask the site in question in the morning. I was under the impression
it would be like every person who used Microsoft Office asking Microsoft to
add a cross domain file for their particular scenario. To be honest I just
panicked when the client reported tonight that this functionality didn't
work and after trying to create a php file that would call the ashx file
for
me without success and doing a good bit of searching on google, I thought
perhaps if there was a simple solution to this that someone on Flash Coders
may know and be able to help me in my hour of need.
Anyway I will email the site now though as it is UK based assume that I
will
not get any reply until tomorrow (which is too late!)
Thanks for the advice
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Henrik
Andersson
Sent: 25 November 2010 20:34
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on calling subscriber script on another
server
Paul Steven skriver:
Thought I could get some help here not labelled lazy!
You do realize that it takes just as long to simply ask the site in
question right?
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RE: [Flashcoders] Flash CS5 iPhone development question
Be sure to check your creations on an iPhone 3G as my tests so far have not been great in terms of performance on these devices and that is with highly optimised code. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Sajid Saiyed Sent: 12 October 2010 04:08 To: flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Subject: [Flashcoders] Flash CS5 iPhone development question Hi, Have'nt seem much discussion on this subject yet. I am starting to experiment with the iPhone packager and had few questions. Any idea how to store data locally? For example Game Levels or Application data etc.? Can Flash CS5 make use of SqLite database? Any tutorials available? Thanks and I will keep posting my experiment results here. So far, it seems to work smoothly. I am going to try more intensive apps to explore the limits. -Sajid ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Flash CS5 iPhone development question
Thanks for the tips Kevin - I am trying anything and everything to improve
performance. I only have 8 balls moving with collision detection and
reactions using vector maths and what works so smoothly on the PC is really
sluggish on the iPhone. I have written the same code in Corona and it works
well on the iPhone. However I am determined to get it working with the Flash
version.
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Newman
Sent: 12 October 2010 17:07
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Flash CS5 iPhone development question
I've had a similar experience. What I've done is to divide my game
(Event.ENTER_FRAME) and my render logic - stage element access
(Event.RENDER) loops, and on 3G update only every other frame.
You can do that by filtering on Capabilities.os, and then based on which
model you detect, set a toggle to run at the end of ENTER_FRAME handler,
that will invalidate the screen (I think it's root.invalidate()) either
every frame for high end devices, or every other frame for iPhone 3G,
iPod 2nd gen, and lower.
// set useFrameSkip in init based on Capabilities.os
if (useFrameSkip !skipFrame) {
skipFrame = true;
root.invalidate();
}
else {
skipFrame = false;
}
Also, make sure you are setting those cacheAsBitmap and
cacheAsBitmapMatrix flags when appropriate, or else you aren't properly
utilizing the GPU.
Seems to help. :-)
Kevin N.
http://help.adobe.com/en_US/FlashPlatform/reference/actionscript/3/flash/sys
tem/Capabilities.html?filter_flex=4.1filter_flashplayer=10.1filter_air=2#o
s
On 10/12/10 6:29 AM, Paul Steven wrote:
Be sure to check your creations on an iPhone 3G as my tests so far have
not
been great in terms of performance on these devices and that is with
highly
optimised code.
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[Flashcoders] Flash detect and redirect code
Strangely I have never been asked to implement any flash detection before and therefore have always just used the default code that Flash IDE spits out. Anyway a client has asked to detect if user has Flash version 8 or higher and if not then redirect to html page. Anyone have some code to do this? I have googled this and can't seem to find any definitive soltution. Ideally the script would also detect if no flash is installed for the case of iPads and the like. Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Detect URL of Iframe
I am hosting a game for a client however they are displaying it on their site in an iFrame. The game is also available for other sites to embed the swf. I would like to change a link within the game based on whether it is being played from the clients site or from another site. The game is programmed in AS3. I have done a test of var rootURL = loaderInfo.url; and it gives me the URL of my site. Is there a way in flash to detect the URL of the iFrame? The link to the game on the clients site is as follows: http://www.britishlivertrust.org.uk/home/looking-after-your-liver/liver-let- live-game.aspx Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Preloader error (AS3)
Thanks for the replies - I did have a COMPLETE event already. Henrik - with your comment about the only line of code mentioning an object, I worked out a solution by calling the following code once it was complete: this.loaderInfo.removeEventListener(ProgressEvent.PROGRESS, PL_LOADING0); this.loaderInfo.removeEventListener(Event.INIT, checkLoaded0); this.loaderInfo.removeEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, checkLoaded0); Guess the PL_LOADING0 function was still being called when the mc was no longer on screen. Cheers Paul You can now play my game without any loading error http://www.mediakitchen.co.uk/portfolio_games_liver.htm -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Henrik Andersson Sent: 01 February 2010 10:56 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Preloader error (AS3) Paul Steven wrote: lpc.loadingMC.percent.text=int(pcent0)+%; This line is the only one even mentioning other objects. One of the properties are null. Check that said object actually exists at that point in time. The note about the COMPLETE event is correct, listen for it as well, since the progress events are not required to be fired for the last few bytes. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Preloader error (AS3)
I am getting the following error in my browser when I load my flash game and
would like to know if anyone can identify the problem with my preloader
code?
TypeError: Error #1009: Cannot access a property or method of a null object
reference.
at liverGame_fla::MainTimeline/PL_LOADING0()
My preloader code (which I adapted from some code I found online is as
follows):
import flash.display.*;
var pcent0:Number;
function PL_LOADING0(event:ProgressEvent):void {
pcent0=event.bytesLoaded/event.bytesTotal*100;
pcent0=Math.round(pcent0);
lpc.loadingMC.percent.text=int(pcent0)+%;
if (pcent0==100) {
gotoAndStop(setup);
}
}
function checkLoaded0(e:Event) {
gotoAndStop(setup);
}
this.loaderInfo.addEventListener(ProgressEvent.PROGRESS, PL_LOADING0);
this.loaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.INIT, checkLoaded0);
this.loaderInfo.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, checkLoaded0);
Thanks
Paul
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[Flashcoders] Prevent space button passing click event to button (as3)
I have created a game in AS3 that uses the SPACE bar on the keyboard to make the character jump. I have encountered a problem whereby pressing the SPACE bar causes a button on my game screen to be clicked. I read up that setting buttonMode to false would fix this but it does not seem to like me using this property on my button. i.e I tried gameMenuBtn.buttonMode = false; but here is the error message: 1119: Access of possibly undefined property buttonMode through a reference with static type flash.display:SimpleButton. My button is a custom button I have created and not a button from the components library i.e I just selected a graphic and converted to a symbol and choose Button. Any ideas how to prevent this button being clicked by the SPACE bar being pressed? I could change the key for jumping but feel that the SPACE bar is the standard one used for this. Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Prevent space button passing click event to button (as3)
Thanks for the replies.
When you say buttons are meant to be pressed like that - do you mean that
it is standard practice to use the tab key to move between buttons and then
use the SPACE key to click it?
You are correct in assuming I have a game where there is a button on the
interface that allows the user to quit the game.
I have the following code on this button:
gameMenuBtn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, clickGameMenuButton);
function clickGameMenuButton(event:MouseEvent) {
gotoAndStop(splash);
}
I was hoping there was just a simple way to prevent the SPACE key from
virtually clicking this button. I still want the user to be able to click it
with the mouse.
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Henrik
Andersson
Sent: 02 December 2009 10:11
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Prevent space button passing click event to
button (as3)
Buttons are meant to be pressed like that. You are using the wrong
object for the job.
Here is my take on it: you have a game where there are button instances
in the gui. I would add the keyboard listener to the stage as usual.
However, in the listener, I would add a condition to ignore events for
things that actually have a logical response.
if(e.target is TextField||e.target is SimpleButton||(e.target is Sprite
Sprite(e.target).buttonMode)) return;
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RE: [Flashcoders] Prevent space button passing click event tobutton (as3)
Thanks Muzak - that appears to have done the trick. Nice one!!
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Muzak
Sent: 02 December 2009 12:02
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Prevent space button passing click event tobutton
(as3)
Try:
gameMenuBtn.focusRect = false;
- Original Message -
From: Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com
To: 'Flash Coders List' flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com
Sent: Wednesday, December 02, 2009 11:51 AM
Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Prevent space button passing click event tobutton
(as3)
Thanks for the replies.
When you say buttons are meant to be pressed like that - do you mean that
it is standard practice to use the tab key to move between buttons and then
use the SPACE key to click it?
You are correct in assuming I have a game where there is a button on the
interface that allows the user to quit the game.
I have the following code on this button:
gameMenuBtn.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, clickGameMenuButton);
function clickGameMenuButton(event:MouseEvent) {
gotoAndStop(splash);
}
I was hoping there was just a simple way to prevent the SPACE key from
virtually clicking this button. I still want the user to be able to click it
with the mouse.
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RE: [Flashcoders] Prevent space button passing click event to button (as3)
Thanks Henrik - yes totally agree that it is a great accessibility feature - I guess it just tripped me up as this wasn't the case in AS2 as far as I am aware - think it was the enter button previously? -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Henrik Andersson Sent: 02 December 2009 13:36 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Prevent space button passing click event to button (as3) Paul Steven wrote: Thanks for the replies. When you say buttons are meant to be pressed like that - do you mean that it is standard practice to use the tab key to move between buttons and then use the SPACE key to click it? It wasn't implemented just to screw with people. It is how disabled people can interact with flash movies. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on minimum specification for cross platform cdrom
Thanks Kerry Good point about the recommended spec. This is the first CDROM I have created since the days of Windows 98 so I am a bit rusty with regards all the required information that must go on the CDROM sleeve. A lot scarier than online stuff as one small mistake can be costly in terms of reprinting thousands of disk sleeves or disks in this information is included in a readme file on the disk too. Many thanks for the advice. Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of al...@cyberiantiger.biz Sent: 18 November 2009 20:41 To: spamtha...@gmail.com; Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on minimum specification for cross platform cdrom Paul Steven wrote: I just wanted to double check this is correct before duplicating a few thousand CDROM sleeves. Minimum system requirements PC: XP, AMD / Intel, 1.0 Ghz, 256 mb RAM MAC: 10.4.x, G3 PowerPC / Intel Solo, 1.0 Ghz, 256 mb RAM Bear in mind that minimum spec is just that--the minimum your program will run on. A lot of products will give minimum spec, and recommended spec. Minimum spec may run slow, and some features may not work real well, but it at least runs, if poorly. Recommended spec is, of course, the machine that runs your program smoothly. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Advice on minimum specification for cross platform cdrom
Just designing the CDROM sleeve for a cross platform CDROM created with Flash CS3 and MDM Zinc 3 and need to include a minimum system spec. The application contains voice over. No video is included. Here is what I have come up with based on Zincs minimum specification. I just wanted to double check this is correct before duplicating a few thousand CDROM sleeves. Minimum system requirements PC: XP, AMD / Intel, 1.0 Ghz, 256 mb RAM MAC: 10.4.x, G3 PowerPC / Intel Solo, 1.0 Ghz, 256 mb RAM Any advice much appreciated. Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on minimum specification for cross platform cdrom
I did hire a testing company. Just wanted to check my text included all the necessary stuff. Here is what the testing company reported. The application successfully ran on each of the configurations listed in the table below. Some of the animations run noticeably slower on configurations 2 and 4 however this did not affect the usability of the application significantly. We would recommend that 800MHz is the minimum CPU specification, although the application will run on slower machines. Memory usage is negligible (approximately 40MB). Software Configurations The following is a list of the operating systems and browsers that were used during testing: Config No. Operating SystemTest Machine 1 Windows XP Pro SP2 TM061 and TM063 2 Windows Vista Home BasicTM065 3 Windows 7 Professional TM080 4 Mac OS X 10.4 TM014 5 Mac OS X 10.5.2 TM070 Machine Specifications Machine No. Model Processor Speed RAM TM014 iMacG3 800MHz 256MB TM061 Compaq Deskpro EN PIII800MHz 256MB TM063 Compaq Deskpro EN PIII1GHz256MB TM065 Dell Optiplex 745 Intel Core 2 Duo1.8GHz 2GB TM070 iMacIntel Core 2 Duo2.66GHz 2GB TM080 Dell Vostro 220SIntel Core 2 Duo2.8GHz 4GB -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Henrik Andersson Sent: 18 November 2009 17:05 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on minimum specification for cross platform cdrom Paul Steven wrote: I just wanted to double check this is correct before duplicating a few thousand CDROM sleeves. If it is important enough to print on the box, hire a company to do the testing for you and find out the real numbers. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Allowing website user to record video and voice
I have been commissioned to create an online game type thing that allows users to records a video and audio of them singing a song, using their web cam and a microphone I guess. I haven't done any flash work before doing this kind of thing so just wanted to get a heads up on what I need to achieve this. Essentially I just need to get the video footage and audio to the client server. The client will deal with it after this. Here is a link to a site with something vaguely similar http://www.overlay.tv/clients/disney/jonas/demo.html My main question is do I need some special software on the server side or is this something that can be done using the flash player alone? I have no restrictions on the version of Flash to create this with/for. Thanks in advance Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Allowing website user to record video and voice
Thanks jonathan Should be fine on that front as link only being sent to clients and not going to be as part of a publicly available game. Anyway need to work out if I can actually make it first:) Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of jonathan howe Sent: 16 November 2009 13:42 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Allowing website user to record video and voice Paul, Hopefully they have already thought of this but keep your eye on COPPA (child privacy) regulations. Could be a doozy. http://www.coppa.org/comply.htm -jonathan On Mon, Nov 16, 2009 at 8:20 AM, Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.comwrote: I have been commissioned to create an online game type thing that allows users to records a video and audio of them singing a song, using their web cam and a microphone I guess. I haven't done any flash work before doing this kind of thing so just wanted to get a heads up on what I need to achieve this. Essentially I just need to get the video footage and audio to the client server. The client will deal with it after this. Here is a link to a site with something vaguely similar http://www.overlay.tv/clients/disney/jonas/demo.html My main question is do I need some special software on the server side or is this something that can be done using the flash player alone? I have no restrictions on the version of Flash to create this with/for. Thanks in advance Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders -- -jonathan howe ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Allowing website user to record video and voice
Can you explain what job the FMS would do please? Is this required for the recording side of things or the playback? -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Henrik Andersson Sent: 16 November 2009 14:49 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Allowing website user to record video and voice Paul Steven wrote: My main question is do I need some special software on the server side or is this something that can be done using the flash player alone? I have no restrictions on the version of Flash to create this with/for. It could be done with the new fp 10.1 that is in beta, but it would be crap and suck. You need FMS on the server if you are even remotely serious about this. FMS can take care of all the medis recording and such. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Allowing website user to record video and voice
Thank you Glen and Henrik I am starting to appreciate that it is more complex than I thought to record audio and video to an online app. I did create an audio recorder in Flex Builder and Zinc about a year ago and that was really simple however that was for a desktop application so that must have made things a lot easier. I think I will need to get back to my client to see if they are prepared to go for a media server option. Fortunately still at the costing stage so I have not committed myself yet:) Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 16 November 2009 16:30 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Allowing website user to record video and voice FMS is Flash Media Server - you need this to record audio and video from Flash to the Server. http://www.adobe.com/products/flashmediaserver/ You can download a free development version to test with - with the old versions, you could use this for upto 5 connections at once (I think). There are open source alternatives such as Red5 which do the same thing: http://osflash.org/red5 Documentation has improved marginally, but it can be obscure unless you get lucky and install a working version straight away... It's can be a PITA to setup if it does not work straight away - tricky to find any decent instructions relevant to your OS, but apart from that, to record basic audio video stuff it's pretty easy (there are example apps on the system). You can join the Red 5 mailing list - make sure you post on this one rather than the normal OSFlash list if you want answers :) The alternative might be to use a hosted system where the ISP provides the media server application, probably with basic applications that let you record stuff. Flash 10.1 should allow you to get the audio from the microphone of the computer (not sure about access to the webcam directly), but you would still possibly need server side code to record... HTH Glen ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Recommended method for copying CDROM app to application folder on Mac
Thanks Ian I am creating the projector using MDM Zinc and I cannot see a way to include the files inside the .app folder. Anyway I am trying to do it by creating a folder to contain all my files including the .app file. I cannot see any way of arranging the icons to appear in specific positions though I have found an option to use a background image. Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Ian Thomas Sent: 30 October 2009 12:50 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Recommended method for copying CDROM app to application folder on Mac Paul, The 'traditional' Mac way of doing this is to make the user drag the files into their Application folder for a simple, self-contained app. (Assuming you're using a projector) ideally, your additional four .swf files should be bundled inside your .app folder i.e. all your user sees when he opens the disk is the MyProjector.app (put them inside MyProjector.app/Content/Resources). If you can't do this, create a folder to contain all your app files, call it MyProjector, and replace my references to the .app file in the following text... Then the standard way to do things is: - Put MyProjector.app at the root of the CD-ROM - Put a _shortcut_ link to your Applications folder at the root of the CD-ROM (this'll work no matter whose machine the disk opens on) - Put a custom background on the CD-ROM folder with instructions like 'drag *this* (arrow to MyProjector.app) to *this* (arrow to Applications link) to install'. And position the icons appropriately. Hope that's helpful. Ian On Fri, Oct 30, 2009 at 12:34 PM, Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com wrote: I am creating a cross platform CDROM using Flash CS3 and Toast 10. My client would like the app to be copied to the users hard drive rather than the user just playing it directly off the CDROM. I have therefore created an installer for the PC side of things using Inno installer. There does not appear to be any free or reasonably priced Mac installer maker software so I am seeking advice on the alternatives. My app contains a main application file plus 4 swf files (one for each of the 4 games) and a readme file. Any advice appreciated on what the best way to do this is. I am not very Mac savvy. Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Any issues to be concerned about with Snow Leopard
Just creating a cross platform CDROM and wondered if it is necessary to get a copy of Snow Leopard to test it on? I don't currently have this OS for my Mac Mini and would like to know if there are likely to be any issues when playing the CDROM on this new OS that I would not experience on the previous OS? ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM
Thanks for all the additional tips. I will give it a go with CDEverywhere and Toast and see which fares better. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of John R. Sweeney Jr Sent: 22 October 2009 14:53 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM I never had anything but trouble when trying to make a hybrid from the PC side. Toast on the MAC is rock solid and has been for years. John on 10/22/09 2:35 AM, Cor at c...@chello.nl wrote: Is there an Hybrid CD Construction Kit version for the PC? Regards Cor John R. Sweeney Jr. Interactive Multimedia Developer OnDemand Interactive Inc 945 Washington Blvd. Hoffman Estates, IL 60169 Office/Fax: 847.310.5959 Cellular: 847.651.4469 www.ondemandinteractive.com ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM
Been a long time since I have had to make a cross platform CDROM, or even a CDROM at all to be honest. Anyway I have developed a series of educational games with Flash CS3, with the main packaged file packaged with MDM Zinc (to enable me to have a coloured background outside the stage area). I would appreciate any advice on the best way to create a cross platform CDROM. Can I create this on the PC or do I need to purchase Toast for the Mac to do this? Thanks in advance Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM
Thanks for all the swift replies. I have a Mac Mini so burning on the Mac is an option. I was under the impression there would be a different executable file for each platform, the only other files are swf files that are loaded into this main container movie executable. Sounds like it may be possible to do this on the Mac without the need for Toast. If this is the case, then do I need to just copy the pc exe file to the Mac? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Karl DeSaulniers Sent: 22 October 2009 08:54 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM I am not sure if it is for pc, but dragon burn is a great app for creating all kinds of CDs Karl Sent from losPhone On Oct 22, 2009, at 2:48 AM, Glen Pike g...@engineeredarts.co.uk wrote: Paul Steven wrote: Been a long time since I have had to make a cross platform CDROM, or even a CDROM at all to be honest. Anyway I have developed a series of educational games with Flash CS3, with the main packaged file packaged with MDM Zinc (to enable me to have a coloured background outside the stage area). I would appreciate any advice on the best way to create a cross platform CDROM. Can I create this on the PC or do I need to purchase Toast for the Mac to do this? Thanks in advance Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders Hi, I used CD Everywhere for the PC to create a Cross Platform project. http://www.i2rd.com/CDEveryWhere/faq.shtml It works on Windows, you can create a CDROM with the free version, I think it leaves something on the disk, but should not affect your app. I have a link at home to a really good doc for this - will post later. There are also some threads on the mailing list with some tips tricks in, e.g. http://www.mail-archive.com/flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com/msg39873.html Glen ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM
Ian, assuming there is a different executable file for both mac and pc, does this mean that both would be visible on both platforms? Will look at the hybrid kit in the meantime. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Ian Thomas Sent: 22 October 2009 08:36 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM I may have misunderstood Paul's requirements. Paul - if you want to make all files on the disk visible to both platforms, just normally burning a disk on Windows or Mac should be fine (as Karl suggests). If you want _different_ files to appear to each platform, look at something like the Hybrid CD kit I suggested. HTH, Ian On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 8:29 AM, Karl DeSaulniers k...@designdrumm.com wrote: What are you using to burn your CD if your not using Toast? Are you on a PC or can you use a MAC? If your on a MAC using 10 or greater, you can just put in a CD and it should ask you what to do. Choose Open Finder (I believe is the option) it will load your cd to the desktop and you can open it and load it up with files like a thumbdrive or any other device. Make sure you dont just move your files, make sure their copying. Hold the option key when moving them to the folder. When your done copying the files to the burn folder (the image of your CD on the desktop), up in the right corner, there should be a burn cd button on the edge of the window. Click it and sit back. If you burn your cd this way, MAC automatically sets it to a cross platform format (I believe) HTH Karl On Oct 22, 2009, at 1:52 AM, Paul Steven wrote: Been a long time since I have had to make a cross platform CDROM, or even a CDROM at all to be honest. Anyway I have developed a series of educational games with Flash CS3, with the main packaged file packaged with MDM Zinc (to enable me to have a coloured background outside the stage area). I would appreciate any advice on the best way to create a cross platform CDROM. Can I create this on the PC or do I need to purchase Toast for the Mac to do this? Thanks in advance Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders Karl DeSaulniers Design Drumm http://designdrumm.com ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM
Thanks Ian - sounds like Hybrid is what I need then. Still haven't had a chance to look at Air - but it would probably have done the job that Zinc does. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Ian Thomas Sent: 22 October 2009 09:16 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM On Thu, Oct 22, 2009 at 9:09 AM, Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com wrote: Ian, assuming there is a different executable file for both mac and pc, does this mean that both would be visible on both platforms? Just using standard burning options, yes. Which isn't necessarily a problem, as long as your users are fairly savvy, but is at the least untidy! The important thing about Hybrid CDs is that some files are hidden from one platform, and some from another (although some can be shared across both). Typically, for example, we include Windows autorun.exe and Setup.exe visible only to Windows, an AIR file visible to both platforms, and the Mac AIR installer visible only to the Mac. Ian ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM
Doing a test, I see that Zinc allows me to create both pc and mac packaged files on the PC. The PC file is just a standard exe file and the Mac file appears to be a folder with the extension .app -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Karl DeSaulniers Sent: 22 October 2009 08:54 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Creating Cross-Platform CDROM I am not sure if it is for pc, but dragon burn is a great app for creating all kinds of CDs Karl Sent from losPhone On Oct 22, 2009, at 2:48 AM, Glen Pike g...@engineeredarts.co.uk wrote: Paul Steven wrote: Been a long time since I have had to make a cross platform CDROM, or even a CDROM at all to be honest. Anyway I have developed a series of educational games with Flash CS3, with the main packaged file packaged with MDM Zinc (to enable me to have a coloured background outside the stage area). I would appreciate any advice on the best way to create a cross platform CDROM. Can I create this on the PC or do I need to purchase Toast for the Mac to do this? Thanks in advance Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders Hi, I used CD Everywhere for the PC to create a Cross Platform project. http://www.i2rd.com/CDEveryWhere/faq.shtml It works on Windows, you can create a CDROM with the free version, I think it leaves something on the disk, but should not affect your app. I have a link at home to a really good doc for this - will post later. There are also some threads on the mailing list with some tips tricks in, e.g. http://www.mail-archive.com/flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com/msg39873.html Glen ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Yeah I assume it must have been something corrupt in the flash file as it did not seem to crash after I cut and pasted all the frames into a new movie. If only I had thought to do that first. Ah well I will certainly do that next time something like this crops up. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of mike donnelly Sent: 08 September 2009 16:03 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash Ah that's great. What was it in the end? You just copied the frames into a new CS4 fla (and removed the weird font)? 2009/9/7 Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com Just a quick update to say the client has just reported a full days use of the game with no crashes! Phew - that was a close one! Thanks again for all the advice - I wouldn't have cracked it without all the fantastic tips. Cheers Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Just a quick update to say the client has just reported a full days use of the game with no crashes! Phew - that was a close one! Thanks again for all the advice - I wouldn't have cracked it without all the fantastic tips. Cheers Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Thanks Mike I am able to replicate it on my PC - well it has happened a few times. I tested for over 2 hours solid last night with no crash and thought it was fixed. But this morning after only about 10 seconds of play it crashed. This is the new version with the large image separated into 4 separate jpgs. Only other large item is a movie clip that is a dotted line that is the same size as the large image - this is a draw object (think this is the right term - basially the built in dotted line) I am trying the fdb command line thingy but of course it won't crash now. Pff!!! Next step is to try taking out bit by bit - so time consuming as a crash can take ages to occur. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of mike donnelly Sent: 06 September 2009 11:17 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash I would go and get your client's machine. 40 minutes is way too long to test changes! If you can't do that, i would use a remote desktop app. http://www.uvnc.com is a good one as far as i remember, and it's free. Also, replace the huge picture with a little one, and get rid of the video. Basically, for each test you do, remove half of your game till it stops crashing. Good luck, i know the feelin! On 9/4/09, Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com wrote: I have created a game in Flash CS3 which is being published for Flash 8 AS2. My client is reporting it crashing periodically on his XP PC. I have also managed replicate this on my Vista Ultimate PC with the following error: A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available It took me over 40 minutes of continuous play to get the crash. This game is for an exhibition on Monday so I need to sort this pretty quickly. Can anyone suggest any ways to try and pinpoint the problem? The game is being run as a projector packaged with MDM Zinc. My first thoughts were that it was due to Zinc being pants but the same problem occurs with just a plain old Flash projector. The problem also happens in the Flash IDE, and similarly it just crashes Flash completely - there is no message saying a script is causing the movie problems. I am struggling to work out how to find the cause of the problem especially as it can happen pretty much immediately according to the client or after a long period of play. The game is basically a top down flying game with a scrolling background (JPG 5120 X 4320). The flash movie is published at 1600 x 1200 30 FPS. It includes an embedded FLV video on the Splash screen which is apparently 639kb of video data. There are no audio files in the game. Any suggestions what code issues could be causing this or does it sound like something else causing the crash. Are there any tools that can help me track down the problem? Hoping someone can save the day! Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders -- Sent from my mobile device ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Out of interest, Alan, what information will the fdb give me if I can replicate the crash? Thanks Paul From: Alan Watts [mailto:a...@datax.com] Sent: 05 September 2009 18:47 To: flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Cc: Paul Steven Subject: RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash fdb? http://livedocs.adobe.com/flex/3/html/help.html?content=debugging_03.html It's a good way to trackdown elusive bugs. Hopefully you can recreate the error though, because you'd be the only one who can do the inspection. Alan On Sep 5, 2009, at 11:00 AM, flashcoders-requ...@chattyfig.figleaf.com wrote: I have created a game in Flash CS3 which is being published for Flash 8 AS2. My client is reporting it crashing periodically on his XP PC. I have also managed replicate this on my Vista Ultimate PC with the following error: A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Still plugging away at this and have just tried opening the file in Flash
CS4. Couple of strange things.
It brought up a font mapping dialog box saying a font HelveticaCE is
contained in my movie and not on my system. I do not recall this font being
added and if I do a Generate Size Report, it is not detailed here. I have
mapped it to Helvetica but this seems strange that I cannot find it - anyone
suggest a way to find it? I tried using Movie Explorer too.
Also another weird thing after I closed this dialog box, I got an error
saying a script in your movie is causing the movie to This was before I
had even tried to publish or test the movie. Strange thing too is that if I
close Flash CS4 and reopen I do not get this error again. So perhaps it was
just a one off - very strange!
Anyway I have published the game using CS4 with same publish settings and
haven't got the crash again yet but that doesn't mean it won't re-appear.
Is it worth rewriting the code in AS3? There isn't really much code in this
game - it is simply a plane controlled by mouse that flies over a terrain.
Main code as follows just in case anyone spots anything that is likely to
cause a problem. This code is called onEnterFrame
function faceMouse(obj:MovieClip)
{
var r2d = 180 / Math.PI;
var dx:Number = _xmouse - obj._x;
var dy:Number = _ymouse - obj._y;
var rads = Math.atan2(dy, dx);
obj._rotation = rads * r2d;
_level0.planeShadowMC._rotation = obj._rotation;
}
function moveToMouse( obj:MovieClip, distance:Number)
{
var dx:Number = _xmouse - obj._x;
var dy:Number = _ymouse - obj._y;
var rads:Number = Math.atan2( dy, dx);
var numNewMapX = gameMap.mapAll._x - Math.cos( rads) * distance;
var numNewMapY = gameMap.mapAll._y - Math.sin( rads) * distance;
if (dx 0) {
if (numNewMapX = objGame.numMinX) {
gameMap.mapAll._x = numNewMapX;
}
} else {
if (numNewMapX = objGame.numMaxX) {
gameMap.mapAll._x = numNewMapX;
}
}
if (dy 0) {
if (numNewMapY = objGame.numMinY) {
gameMap.mapAll._y = numNewMapY;
}
} else {
if (numNewMapY = objGame.numMaxY) {
gameMap.mapAll._y = numNewMapY;
}
}
radar.radarMap._x = (gameMap.mapAll._x/10) + 70;
radar.radarMap._y = (gameMap.mapAll._y/10) + 46;
}
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven
Sent: 06 September 2009 16:17
To: 'Alan Watts'; flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com
Subject: [Flashcoders] RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of
a crash
Out of interest, Alan, what information will the fdb give me if I can
replicate the crash?
Thanks
Paul
From: Alan Watts [mailto:a...@datax.com]
Sent: 05 September 2009 18:47
To: flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com
Cc: Paul Steven
Subject: RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
fdb?
http://livedocs.adobe.com/flex/3/html/help.html?content=debugging_03.html
It's a good way to trackdown elusive bugs. Hopefully you can recreate the
error though, because you'd be the only one who can do the inspection.
Alan
On Sep 5, 2009, at 11:00 AM, flashcoders-requ...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
wrote:
I have created a game in Flash CS3 which is being published for Flash 8 AS2.
My client is reporting it crashing periodically on his XP PC. I have also
managed replicate this on my Vista Ultimate PC with the following error:
A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close
the program and notify you if a solution is available
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RE: [Flashcoders] RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Got rid of font problem by cutting and pasting all frames into a new movie.
I am hoping this will also result in a bug free game.
Thanks again to everyone for their help in my time of need. I have my
fingers and toes crossed that the game will not crash anymore.
Cheers
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven
Sent: 06 September 2009 20:36
To: 'Flash Coders List'; 'Alan Watts'
Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the
cause of a crash
Still plugging away at this and have just tried opening the file in Flash
CS4. Couple of strange things.
It brought up a font mapping dialog box saying a font HelveticaCE is
contained in my movie and not on my system. I do not recall this font being
added and if I do a Generate Size Report, it is not detailed here. I have
mapped it to Helvetica but this seems strange that I cannot find it - anyone
suggest a way to find it? I tried using Movie Explorer too.
Also another weird thing after I closed this dialog box, I got an error
saying a script in your movie is causing the movie to This was before I
had even tried to publish or test the movie. Strange thing too is that if I
close Flash CS4 and reopen I do not get this error again. So perhaps it was
just a one off - very strange!
Anyway I have published the game using CS4 with same publish settings and
haven't got the crash again yet but that doesn't mean it won't re-appear.
Is it worth rewriting the code in AS3? There isn't really much code in this
game - it is simply a plane controlled by mouse that flies over a terrain.
Main code as follows just in case anyone spots anything that is likely to
cause a problem. This code is called onEnterFrame
function faceMouse(obj:MovieClip)
{
var r2d = 180 / Math.PI;
var dx:Number = _xmouse - obj._x;
var dy:Number = _ymouse - obj._y;
var rads = Math.atan2(dy, dx);
obj._rotation = rads * r2d;
_level0.planeShadowMC._rotation = obj._rotation;
}
function moveToMouse( obj:MovieClip, distance:Number)
{
var dx:Number = _xmouse - obj._x;
var dy:Number = _ymouse - obj._y;
var rads:Number = Math.atan2( dy, dx);
var numNewMapX = gameMap.mapAll._x - Math.cos( rads) * distance;
var numNewMapY = gameMap.mapAll._y - Math.sin( rads) * distance;
if (dx 0) {
if (numNewMapX = objGame.numMinX) {
gameMap.mapAll._x = numNewMapX;
}
} else {
if (numNewMapX = objGame.numMaxX) {
gameMap.mapAll._x = numNewMapX;
}
}
if (dy 0) {
if (numNewMapY = objGame.numMinY) {
gameMap.mapAll._y = numNewMapY;
}
} else {
if (numNewMapY = objGame.numMaxY) {
gameMap.mapAll._y = numNewMapY;
}
}
radar.radarMap._x = (gameMap.mapAll._x/10) + 70;
radar.radarMap._y = (gameMap.mapAll._y/10) + 46;
}
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven
Sent: 06 September 2009 16:17
To: 'Alan Watts'; flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com
Subject: [Flashcoders] RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of
a crash
Out of interest, Alan, what information will the fdb give me if I can
replicate the crash?
Thanks
Paul
From: Alan Watts [mailto:a...@datax.com]
Sent: 05 September 2009 18:47
To: flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com
Cc: Paul Steven
Subject: RE: Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
fdb?
http://livedocs.adobe.com/flex/3/html/help.html?content=debugging_03.html
It's a good way to trackdown elusive bugs. Hopefully you can recreate the
error though, because you'd be the only one who can do the inspection.
Alan
On Sep 5, 2009, at 11:00 AM, flashcoders-requ...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
wrote:
I have created a game in Flash CS3 which is being published for Flash 8 AS2.
My client is reporting it crashing periodically on his XP PC. I have also
managed replicate this on my Vista Ultimate PC with the following error:
A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close
the program and notify you if a solution is available
RE: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Thanks Jason The weird thing is the client has reported the problem occurring (ie it crashing) within a few seconds of the game starting. It seems to be totally random which is why I wasn't sure if a memory leak could be the cause. Anyway I am commenting out bit by bit and will see if I can pinpoint the issue. Is there a possibility it could be a corrupt graphic or anything unusual like that? Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Merrill, Jason Sent: 04 September 2009 18:25 To: Flash Coders List Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash It took me over 40 minutes of continuous play to get the crash. This sounds like a memory leak - memory allocations building up for your allotment in RAM over time, until it there is no more available slots - I would check all the usual things to be sure you are garbage collecting, removing listeners, objects no longer needed, etc. Jason Merrill Bank of America Global Learning Learning Performance Soluions Monthly meetings on making the most of the Adobe Flash Platform - presented by bank associates, Adobe engineers, and outside experts in the borader multimedia community - join the Bank of America Flash Platform Community (note: this is for Bank of America employees only) ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Thanks Ian I am not using any bitmap functions. I literally just have the jpg inside a movie clip and move it based on the mouse position in relation to the plane (the plane is centred on the screen). The only other game element really is 20 clouds that randomly move across the screen. I am doing as you suggest and commenting out each potential game element and trying to isolate the problem. I was hoping there was some way of using a debugger version of the flash player to get more information on the problem but this does not seem to be possible. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Ian Thomas Sent: 04 September 2009 19:22 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash On Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 6:16 PM, Paul Stevenpaul_ste...@btinternet.com wrote: The game is basically a top down flying game with a scrolling background (JPG 5120 X 4320). The flash movie is published at 1600 x 1200 30 FPS. It includes an embedded FLV video on the Splash screen which is apparently 639kb of video data. There are no audio files in the game. Only immediate thing in that is that bitmaps in Flash Player 8 and 9 need to be less than 2880 x 2880 pixels or bitmap functions will simply fail. (Doesn't apply to Flash 8/9 content being run in Flash Player 10, afaik). Other than that - my normal approach to such things is to find a way to replicate the error if possible, comment out potentially offending code in large chunks until the crashing stops, uncomment code gradually until it starts crashing again. Judiciously combined with trace statements which show you how far along execution has got. That should narrow down the routines causing the problem. Can't think of any immediate solutions other than that, sorry! HTH, Ian ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Hi Ian
Ah I didn't realise that.
I did originally plan to break up the image thinking it would not perform
very well with such a large image but when I tested it, it ran fine. It is
just strange how the game will work for at least 40 minutes (the game only
lasts 2 minutes so I am referring to playing it multiple times).
It is a really annoying bug to isolate as it can take so long to crash.
I just commented out the following updateMouseVisibility() call and have
been playing for about 30 minutes with no crash but I wouldn't have thought
this would cause any crash?
this.onEnterFrame = function() {
// updateMouseVisibility();
... other function calls..
}
function updateMouseVisibility():Void {
if (_ymouse 240) {
Mouse.show();
} else {
Mouse.hide();
}
}
I will keep testing for another hour and if it crashes I will go for the 4
segment option.
Thanks again for your help - feel really up against the clock with this as
the exhibition is on Monday.
Cheers
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Ian Thomas
Sent: 05 September 2009 16:49
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of
a crash
You may not be using Bitmap functions - but any filters etc. will use
them under-the-hood, and will have the 2880x2880 limits.
I'd be tempted to suggest that you break up your large background JPG
into four chunks; see if that clears the crash.
HTH,
Ian
On Sat, Sep 5, 2009 at 4:41 PM, Paul Stevenpaul_ste...@btinternet.com
wrote:
Thanks Ian
I am not using any bitmap functions. I literally just have the jpg inside
a
movie clip and move it based on the mouse position in relation to the
plane
(the plane is centred on the screen). The only other game element really
is
20 clouds that randomly move across the screen.
I am doing as you suggest and commenting out each potential game element
and
trying to isolate the problem.
I was hoping there was some way of using a debugger version of the flash
player to get more information on the problem but this does not seem to be
possible.
Cheers
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Ian Thomas
Sent: 04 September 2009 19:22
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause
of
a crash
On Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 6:16 PM, Paul Stevenpaul_ste...@btinternet.com
wrote:
The game is basically a top down flying game with a scrolling background
(JPG 5120 X 4320). The flash movie is published at 1600 x 1200 30 FPS. It
includes an embedded FLV video on the Splash screen which is apparently
639kb of video data. There are no audio files in the game.
Only immediate thing in that is that bitmaps in Flash Player 8 and 9
need to be less than 2880 x 2880 pixels or bitmap functions will
simply fail. (Doesn't apply to Flash 8/9 content being run in Flash
Player 10, afaik).
Other than that - my normal approach to such things is to find a way
to replicate the error if possible, comment out potentially offending
code in large chunks until the crashing stops, uncomment code
gradually until it starts crashing again. Judiciously combined with
trace statements which show you how far along execution has got. That
should narrow down the routines causing the problem. Can't think of
any immediate solutions other than that, sorry!
HTH,
 Ian
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RE: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Quick question. Can I simply break up the jpb into 4 chunks and position them inside one movie clip rather than have to move 4 separate movie clips? If this is the case then it is a really simple fix. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Ian Thomas Sent: 05 September 2009 16:49 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash You may not be using Bitmap functions - but any filters etc. will use them under-the-hood, and will have the 2880x2880 limits. I'd be tempted to suggest that you break up your large background JPG into four chunks; see if that clears the crash. HTH, Ian On Sat, Sep 5, 2009 at 4:41 PM, Paul Stevenpaul_ste...@btinternet.com wrote: Thanks Ian I am not using any bitmap functions. I literally just have the jpg inside a movie clip and move it based on the mouse position in relation to the plane (the plane is centred on the screen). The only other game element really is 20 clouds that randomly move across the screen. I am doing as you suggest and commenting out each potential game element and trying to isolate the problem. I was hoping there was some way of using a debugger version of the flash player to get more information on the problem but this does not seem to be possible. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Ian Thomas Sent: 04 September 2009 19:22 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash On Fri, Sep 4, 2009 at 6:16 PM, Paul Stevenpaul_ste...@btinternet.com wrote: The game is basically a top down flying game with a scrolling background (JPG 5120 X 4320). The flash movie is published at 1600 x 1200 30 FPS. It includes an embedded FLV video on the Splash screen which is apparently 639kb of video data. There are no audio files in the game. Only immediate thing in that is that bitmaps in Flash Player 8 and 9 need to be less than 2880 x 2880 pixels or bitmap functions will simply fail. (Doesn't apply to Flash 8/9 content being run in Flash Player 10, afaik). Other than that - my normal approach to such things is to find a way to replicate the error if possible, comment out potentially offending code in large chunks until the crashing stops, uncomment code gradually until it starts crashing again. Judiciously combined with trace statements which show you how far along execution has got. That should narrow down the routines causing the problem. Can't think of any immediate solutions other than that, sorry! HTH, Â Ian ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
Thanks Paul The clients PC is a brand new one with 4gb RAM and I imagine tons of space. Not sure what a stack dump looks like but the client did send this info on the error: Event Type: Error Event Source: Application Error Event Category: None Event ID: 1000 Date: 04/09/2009 Time: 16:42:47 User: N/A Computer: ACER-A881FB79D8 Description: Faulting application blazepointplanegame.exe, version 3.0.0.0, faulting module unknown, version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x0194c07e. For more information, see Help and Support Center at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/events.asp. Data: : 41 70 70 6c 69 63 61 74 Applicat 0008: 69 6f 6e 20 46 61 69 6c ion Fail 0010: 75 72 65 20 20 62 6c 61 ure bla 0018: 7a 65 70 6f 69 6e 74 70 zepointp 0020: 6c 61 6e 65 67 61 6d 65 lanegame 0028: 2e 65 78 65 20 33 2e 30 .exe 3.0 0030: 2e 30 2e 30 20 69 6e 20 .0.0 in 0038: 75 6e 6b 6e 6f 77 6e 20 unknown 0040: 30 2e 30 2e 30 2e 30 20 0.0.0.0 0048: 61 74 20 6f 66 66 73 65 at offse 0050: 74 20 30 31 39 34 63 30 t 0194c0 0058: 37 65 0d 0a 7e.. Not sure if this gives any clues or not? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Andrews Sent: 05 September 2009 19:04 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash Paul Steven wrote: Thanks Jason The weird thing is the client has reported the problem occurring (ie it crashing) within a few seconds of the game starting. It seems to be totally random which is why I wasn't sure if a memory leak could be the cause. You need to know the spec of that machine and if possible borrow it or duplicate the environment. If nothing else, that would at least shorten your modify/test/debug cycle considerably. You may even discover that it's running windows XP with 128MB of ram and no spare disc space.. ;-) When windows encounters a problem, don't you get a chance to see a stack dump too? If the client is crashing within seconds and you do not, then the environment is clearly having a big difference. It may be something like a video driver or just about anything. Good luck with it - it's a bit of a nightmare scenario. Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Rather urgent advice on how to track the cause of a crash
I have created a game in Flash CS3 which is being published for Flash 8 AS2. My client is reporting it crashing periodically on his XP PC. I have also managed replicate this on my Vista Ultimate PC with the following error: A problem caused the program to stop working correctly. Windows will close the program and notify you if a solution is available It took me over 40 minutes of continuous play to get the crash. This game is for an exhibition on Monday so I need to sort this pretty quickly. Can anyone suggest any ways to try and pinpoint the problem? The game is being run as a projector packaged with MDM Zinc. My first thoughts were that it was due to Zinc being pants but the same problem occurs with just a plain old Flash projector. The problem also happens in the Flash IDE, and similarly it just crashes Flash completely - there is no message saying a script is causing the movie problems. I am struggling to work out how to find the cause of the problem especially as it can happen pretty much immediately according to the client or after a long period of play. The game is basically a top down flying game with a scrolling background (JPG 5120 X 4320). The flash movie is published at 1600 x 1200 30 FPS. It includes an embedded FLV video on the Splash screen which is apparently 639kb of video data. There are no audio files in the game. Any suggestions what code issues could be causing this or does it sound like something else causing the crash. Are there any tools that can help me track down the problem? Hoping someone can save the day! Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Assigning actions to 3 trackerball buttons
I am developing a game to showcase a trackball device and would like to know if it is possible to assign actions to all 3 buttons on this input device? I assume that 2 of the buttons would be the left mouse and right mouse but I am not sure what the third button would be. Any advice much appreciated! Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Equivalent of setCharAt to change a character in a string
Thanks Bob
Strange that there is not a simpler solution. Ah well, I guess I had just
hoped there was something equivalent to setCharAt
No worries anyway, I have decided to recode using an array.
Cheers
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Robert
Leisle
Sent: 14 July 2009 19:43
To: 'Flash Coders List'
Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Equivalent of setCharAt to change a character in
a string
Ah yes. I missed that part.
How about this moderately less simple one using Kenneth's suggestion?
function swapCharAt(s:String, index:Number, char:String ):String{
var ptrn:RegExp = new RegExp((.{+index+}).(.*));
return( (s).replace(ptrn, $1+char+$2) );
}
trace( swapCharAt(Flash, 2, e) );
hth,
Bob
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 10:32 AM
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Equivalent of setCharAt to change a character in
a string
Thanks Robert - yes I am able to replace patterns but just wondered If
simple way to change a particular character in a string based on the
character index?
Thanks
Paul
Sent from my iPhone
On 14 Jul 2009, at 18:10, Robert Leisle b...@headsprout.com wrote:
Does this not work for you?
// Change the first instance only
var myPattern:RegExp = /sh/;
// Change all instances
//var myPattern:RegExp = /sh/g;
var str:String = She sells seashells by the seashore.;
trace(str.replace(myPattern, sch));
// She sells seaschells by the seashore.
Hth,
Bob
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-
boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven
Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 8:50 AM
To: 'Flash Coders List'
Subject: [Flashcoders] Equivalent of setCharAt to change a character
in a string
Probably something really simple but can't for the life of me recall
the syntax to change a particular character of a string.
For example if I have the word Flash and want to change the letter
a to an e, I was hoping there was a function like setCharAt(2,
e);
Btw I am coding in AS3.
Thanks
paul
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[Flashcoders] Equivalent of setCharAt to change a character in a string
Probably something really simple but can't for the life of me recall the syntax to change a particular character of a string. For example if I have the word Flash and want to change the letter a to an e, I was hoping there was a function like setCharAt(2, e); Btw I am coding in AS3. Thanks paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
Re: [Flashcoders] Equivalent of setCharAt to change a character in a string
Thanks Robert - yes I am able to replace patterns but just wondered If simple way to change a particular character in a string based on the character index? Thanks Paul Sent from my iPhone On 14 Jul 2009, at 18:10, Robert Leisle b...@headsprout.com wrote: Does this not work for you? // Change the first instance only var myPattern:RegExp = /sh/; // Change all instances //var myPattern:RegExp = /sh/g; var str:String = She sells seashells by the seashore.; trace(str.replace(myPattern, sch)); // She sells seaschells by the seashore. Hth, Bob -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders- boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: Tuesday, July 14, 2009 8:50 AM To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: [Flashcoders] Equivalent of setCharAt to change a character in a string Probably something really simple but can't for the life of me recall the syntax to change a particular character of a string. For example if I have the word Flash and want to change the letter a to an e, I was hoping there was a function like setCharAt(2, e); Btw I am coding in AS3. Thanks paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Sorry to drag this one out but I have one last question.
I implemented the recursive solution as Paul Andrews and Charles suggested
however I find that it can take up to 8 minutes to generate a solution
(which incidentally is pretty much the same amount of time my non recursive
implementation takes)
If I order my words from largest to smallest first this actually seems to
result in a longer time. I am thinking this is perhaps because one of the
longest words (tarragon) is at the bottom of the solution:
http://www.mediakitchen.co.uk/solution.gif
Anyway I do not mind it taking so long as a new crossword will only be
generated once a week. However I am curious as to whether this sounds like a
flaw in my code or if it is just the result of having to try so many
combinations to find the unique solution?
If I adjust my list of words into the order in which it looks like they
would be placed one at a time onto the grid, then the solution only takes
about 3 seconds to generate.
Because I know there is the possibility that having the list ordered in a
particular way can result in a super fast puzzle creation time, I am
wondering if it is worth just randomising the list every 10 seconds if a
solution has not been found?
Promise not to ask any more questions about this crossword generator after
this one:)
Thanks
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Andrews
Sent: 01 June 2009 11:14
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
You should use recursion.
At each stage you should loop through the available words, trying to lay
them onto the crossword area.
Paul
It goes a bit like this:
var wordList = [word1,word2,word3, .. ];
var xwordSolution:XwordSolution;
var currentSolution= new XwordSolution(maxWidth, maxHeight); // emptyGrid
xwordSolution = layoutXword(wordList, currentSolution);
if (xwordSolution.isValid())
trace(Solved!)
else
trace(no solution found);
function layoutXword(words:Array,
currentSolution:XwordSolution):XwordSolution
{
while (words.length 0){
currentWord = words.pop();
// horizontal
newSolution = layoutHorizontalWord(currentWord, currentSolution);
if (newSolution.isValid())
{
newSolution = layoutXword(words, newSolution );
if (newSolution.isValid())
return newSolution; // solved
}
// the horizontal layout wasn't possible, try vertical
newSolution = layoutVerticalWord(currentWord, currentSolution);
if (newSolution.isValid())
{
newSolution = layoutXword(words, newSolution );
if (newSolution.isValid())
return newSolution; // solved
}
// couldn't layout this word, try the next
}
// Couldn't layout any of the words - solution failed.
return newSolution; // this will be failed
}
- Original Message -
From: Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com
To: 'Flash Coders List' flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 10:33 AM
Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
I am still struggling to find a solution to this crossword generator and
could do with some advice on a possible solution I want to try.
If I enter my list of 16 words in a particular order (an order based on
what
looks like the order the solution would place them), the generator creates
the puzzle in a matter of seconds.
However if I enter them in a different order, the generator always breaks
out of the loop by my exit condition (number of loops 5000). I am
assuming
this is either due to an error in my code or due to the fact there are so
many combinations to try.
I am therefore thinking a possible solution is to try every permutation (I
think this is the right word) of the 16 words. If I am correct there would
be 240 possible permutations. ((X - 1) * X) where X is the number of items
in the list.
I am not sure however how to create the 240 variations of the list.
Any advice on how to create these 240 permutations of the list would be
much
appreciated.
Thanks
Paul
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RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Here is a link to the crossword generator in its current state.
http://www.mediakitchen.co.uk/crossword.html
Cheers
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven
Sent: 02 June 2009 10:27
To: 'Flash Coders List'
Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Sorry to drag this one out but I have one last question.
I implemented the recursive solution as Paul Andrews and Charles suggested
however I find that it can take up to 8 minutes to generate a solution
(which incidentally is pretty much the same amount of time my non recursive
implementation takes)
If I order my words from largest to smallest first this actually seems to
result in a longer time. I am thinking this is perhaps because one of the
longest words (tarragon) is at the bottom of the solution:
http://www.mediakitchen.co.uk/solution.gif
Anyway I do not mind it taking so long as a new crossword will only be
generated once a week. However I am curious as to whether this sounds like a
flaw in my code or if it is just the result of having to try so many
combinations to find the unique solution?
If I adjust my list of words into the order in which it looks like they
would be placed one at a time onto the grid, then the solution only takes
about 3 seconds to generate.
Because I know there is the possibility that having the list ordered in a
particular way can result in a super fast puzzle creation time, I am
wondering if it is worth just randomising the list every 10 seconds if a
solution has not been found?
Promise not to ask any more questions about this crossword generator after
this one:)
Thanks
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Andrews
Sent: 01 June 2009 11:14
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
You should use recursion.
At each stage you should loop through the available words, trying to lay
them onto the crossword area.
Paul
It goes a bit like this:
var wordList = [word1,word2,word3, .. ];
var xwordSolution:XwordSolution;
var currentSolution= new XwordSolution(maxWidth, maxHeight); // emptyGrid
xwordSolution = layoutXword(wordList, currentSolution);
if (xwordSolution.isValid())
trace(Solved!)
else
trace(no solution found);
function layoutXword(words:Array,
currentSolution:XwordSolution):XwordSolution
{
while (words.length 0){
currentWord = words.pop();
// horizontal
newSolution = layoutHorizontalWord(currentWord, currentSolution);
if (newSolution.isValid())
{
newSolution = layoutXword(words, newSolution );
if (newSolution.isValid())
return newSolution; // solved
}
// the horizontal layout wasn't possible, try vertical
newSolution = layoutVerticalWord(currentWord, currentSolution);
if (newSolution.isValid())
{
newSolution = layoutXword(words, newSolution );
if (newSolution.isValid())
return newSolution; // solved
}
// couldn't layout this word, try the next
}
// Couldn't layout any of the words - solution failed.
return newSolution; // this will be failed
}
- Original Message -
From: Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com
To: 'Flash Coders List' flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 10:33 AM
Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
I am still struggling to find a solution to this crossword generator and
could do with some advice on a possible solution I want to try.
If I enter my list of 16 words in a particular order (an order based on
what
looks like the order the solution would place them), the generator creates
the puzzle in a matter of seconds.
However if I enter them in a different order, the generator always breaks
out of the loop by my exit condition (number of loops 5000). I am
assuming
this is either due to an error in my code or due to the fact there are so
many combinations to try.
I am therefore thinking a possible solution is to try every permutation (I
think this is the right word) of the 16 words. If I am correct there would
be 240 possible permutations. ((X - 1) * X) where X is the number of items
in the list.
I am not sure however how to create the 240 variations of the list.
Any advice on how to create these 240 permutations of the list would be
much
appreciated.
Thanks
Paul
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Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com
http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
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Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com
http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
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RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Thanks Paul for your reply.
You may be right about my placement checker. What I currently do is as
follows:
Starting with first char of word I want to place, loop through the
characters of each word that is already on the puzzle and see if a match can
be found. If a match is found then I calculate where the new word would
appear on the grid based on crossing the existing word where they characters
match.
I then check if there are any words in the way or the new word goes off the
grid.
I also check that the new word is not adjacent to another word
My code does not allow words to be added unless they cross another word so
perhaps allowing disconnected placement would speed things up. I will give
it a try.
Thanks again for your help on this.
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Andrews
Sent: 02 June 2009 11:54
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Paul Steven wrote:
Here is a link to the crossword generator in its current state.
http://www.mediakitchen.co.uk/crossword.html
Cheers
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul
Steven
Sent: 02 June 2009 10:27
To: 'Flash Coders List'
Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Sorry to drag this one out but I have one last question.
I implemented the recursive solution as Paul Andrews and Charles suggested
however I find that it can take up to 8 minutes to generate a solution
(which incidentally is pretty much the same amount of time my non
recursive
implementation takes)
I think there's a problem in the algorithm again or you have a very
inefficient placement checker.
A definite improvement to my suggestion would be to have a two stage
placement algorithm - first of all only laying out words if they overlap
another word, then if no solution is found by laying out the word as an
overlap, it would then attempt a disconnected placement. I think that
would improve things.
It's difficullt to know why it takes so long without seeing the code.
Paul
If I order my words from largest to smallest first this actually seems to
result in a longer time. I am thinking this is perhaps because one of the
longest words (tarragon) is at the bottom of the solution:
http://www.mediakitchen.co.uk/solution.gif
Anyway I do not mind it taking so long as a new crossword will only be
generated once a week. However I am curious as to whether this sounds like
a
flaw in my code or if it is just the result of having to try so many
combinations to find the unique solution?
If I adjust my list of words into the order in which it looks like they
would be placed one at a time onto the grid, then the solution only takes
about 3 seconds to generate.
Because I know there is the possibility that having the list ordered in a
particular way can result in a super fast puzzle creation time, I am
wondering if it is worth just randomising the list every 10 seconds if a
solution has not been found?
Promise not to ask any more questions about this crossword generator after
this one:)
Thanks
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul
Andrews
Sent: 01 June 2009 11:14
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
You should use recursion.
At each stage you should loop through the available words, trying to lay
them onto the crossword area.
Paul
It goes a bit like this:
var wordList = [word1,word2,word3, .. ];
var xwordSolution:XwordSolution;
var currentSolution= new XwordSolution(maxWidth, maxHeight); // emptyGrid
xwordSolution = layoutXword(wordList, currentSolution);
if (xwordSolution.isValid())
trace(Solved!)
else
trace(no solution found);
function layoutXword(words:Array,
currentSolution:XwordSolution):XwordSolution
{
while (words.length 0){
currentWord = words.pop();
// horizontal
newSolution = layoutHorizontalWord(currentWord, currentSolution);
if (newSolution.isValid())
{
newSolution = layoutXword(words, newSolution );
if (newSolution.isValid())
return newSolution; // solved
}
// the horizontal layout wasn't possible, try vertical
newSolution = layoutVerticalWord(currentWord, currentSolution);
if (newSolution.isValid())
{
newSolution = layoutXword(words, newSolution );
if (newSolution.isValid())
return newSolution; // solved
}
// couldn't layout this word, try the next
}
// Couldn't layout any of the words - solution failed.
return newSolution; // this will be failed
}
- Original Message -
From: Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com
To: 'Flash Coders List' flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009
RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
I am still struggling to find a solution to this crossword generator and could do with some advice on a possible solution I want to try. If I enter my list of 16 words in a particular order (an order based on what looks like the order the solution would place them), the generator creates the puzzle in a matter of seconds. However if I enter them in a different order, the generator always breaks out of the loop by my exit condition (number of loops 5000). I am assuming this is either due to an error in my code or due to the fact there are so many combinations to try. I am therefore thinking a possible solution is to try every permutation (I think this is the right word) of the 16 words. If I am correct there would be 240 possible permutations. ((X - 1) * X) where X is the number of items in the list. I am not sure however how to create the 240 variations of the list. Any advice on how to create these 240 permutations of the list would be much appreciated. Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Thanks for all the new advice. Yes I figured a recursive solution was required and even though my code doesn't technically recurse, it more or less does the same thing. Anyway I have just figured out the problem with my code after painstakingly tracing variables for the last few days. I was not accounting for the fact a word can be placed either across or down in my backtracking code. So words were being crossed off the list without giving them a second chance at having a stab at trying all combinations that occurred from placing it in the alternative orientation (assuming this was a valid positioning). I am extremely pleased to have cracked this and will celebrate with a cold beer in the garden. I will also come back and look implementing a recursive solution - thought the word recursion hurts my head:) Cheers Paul Thanks again to Paul and Charles for their help in my times of need. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
I am creating a crossword generator where you can enter the size of the grid and a list of words but for the life of me cannot get it to generate a puzzle with all the words in my list. This list of words is from a crossword that I know is possible. Now either my generator is not up to scratch or the process of creating a crossword is very complex and will require so many iterations that it would take a long time to work out a solution. Here is the list of words I am trying to generate the crossword with. The size of the grid is 9 x 9. I have tried several online crossword generators and none of them are able to generate a puzzle of this size with these words. The most words I have been able to generate a puzzle with is 11 words. However I know for a fact it is possible as I have an actual crossword with these 16 words. I would therefore appreciate any advice. Perhaps someone has a crossword generator they can try these 16 words in? quantity alb iliad epee jinx glass inn tarragon quake amble twin yearn pilot icing xenon user Thanks in advance Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Just to add more information to how I am currently trying to achieve this. I basically start with the first word in the list and place it in the top left position 0,0. I then attempt to add the next word in the list by finding a character in the first word that is the same as one of the characters in this new word. If it fails to add this next word, it puts this word to the back of the list and tries the next word. If at any point, it is no longer able to add one of the remaining unplaced words, it back tracks and changes the previously added word to a different one. So in theory it should attempt to find a solution by trying every single word in the top left 0,0 position, then attempting to add the others where they can fit. The complete crossword solution has the word Quantity in the top left going across so in theory a solution should be possible with this word at this position and this orientation. Hopefully someone can shed some light on a solution. Many thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 31 May 2009 10:02 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice I am creating a crossword generator where you can enter the size of the grid and a list of words but for the life of me cannot get it to generate a puzzle with all the words in my list. This list of words is from a crossword that I know is possible. Now either my generator is not up to scratch or the process of creating a crossword is very complex and will require so many iterations that it would take a long time to work out a solution. Here is the list of words I am trying to generate the crossword with. The size of the grid is 9 x 9. I have tried several online crossword generators and none of them are able to generate a puzzle of this size with these words. The most words I have been able to generate a puzzle with is 11 words. However I know for a fact it is possible as I have an actual crossword with these 16 words. I would therefore appreciate any advice. Perhaps someone has a crossword generator they can try these 16 words in? quantity alb iliad epee jinx glass inn tarragon quake amble twin yearn pilot icing xenon user Thanks in advance Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Further to my last post, here is a link to the solution to the crossword http://www.mediakitchen.co.uk/solution.gif Before anyone asks, I have tried the crossword generator in the Advanced Lingo for Games book and unfortunately it is unable to create a puzzle with these 16 words. quantity alb iliad epee jinx glass inn tarragon quake amble twin yearn pilot icing xenon user Looking forward to hearing if anyone is able to generate a 9x9 puzzle with these words. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 31 May 2009 10:10 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice Just to add more information to how I am currently trying to achieve this. I basically start with the first word in the list and place it in the top left position 0,0. I then attempt to add the next word in the list by finding a character in the first word that is the same as one of the characters in this new word. If it fails to add this next word, it puts this word to the back of the list and tries the next word. If at any point, it is no longer able to add one of the remaining unplaced words, it back tracks and changes the previously added word to a different one. So in theory it should attempt to find a solution by trying every single word in the top left 0,0 position, then attempting to add the others where they can fit. The complete crossword solution has the word Quantity in the top left going across so in theory a solution should be possible with this word at this position and this orientation. Hopefully someone can shed some light on a solution. Many thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 31 May 2009 10:02 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice I am creating a crossword generator where you can enter the size of the grid and a list of words but for the life of me cannot get it to generate a puzzle with all the words in my list. This list of words is from a crossword that I know is possible. Now either my generator is not up to scratch or the process of creating a crossword is very complex and will require so many iterations that it would take a long time to work out a solution. Here is the list of words I am trying to generate the crossword with. The size of the grid is 9 x 9. I have tried several online crossword generators and none of them are able to generate a puzzle of this size with these words. The most words I have been able to generate a puzzle with is 11 words. However I know for a fact it is possible as I have an actual crossword with these 16 words. I would therefore appreciate any advice. Perhaps someone has a crossword generator they can try these 16 words in? quantity alb iliad epee jinx glass inn tarragon quake amble twin yearn pilot icing xenon user Thanks in advance Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Thanks Paul My code should backtrack in the situation you mention. So for example if it fits tarragon on the first t but then continues to not be able to find a solution with tarragon in this position, it will backtrack so that it changes tarragon to the second t. However I still can't find a solution with 16 words. There may be some other flaws in my logic preventing this. I was wondering if in order to find a solution it will take thousands of attempts to find a solution? I have a counter that when reaches 5000, it breaks out of the loop trying to find the solution so I am effectively trying 5000 combinations - perhaps there is an equation to calculate how many combinations there are? I would be interested if anyone else can solve this puzzle with an alternative crossword generator? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Andrews Sent: 31 May 2009 12:07 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice There is a flaw in your logic. It may be that multiple words fit a given situation, and so it's necessary (with such a simple algorithm) to backtrack and look for another word to fit once you are unable to fit another word from your list - so the real problem is saving where you are in the list of possible combinations as you go along. For example, in quantity there are two t s, so there are two possibilities for fitting a word. You may go with tarragon for the first t but in practice it may only be possible to have a solution with tarragon as the second t. You must be able to backtrack your choice of tarragon as a solution for the first t and go with twin instead. You must be able to do this at every stage. Once you can your software should work. Paul - Original Message - From: Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com To: 'Flash Coders List' flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 10:09 AM Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice Just to add more information to how I am currently trying to achieve this. I basically start with the first word in the list and place it in the top left position 0,0. I then attempt to add the next word in the list by finding a character in the first word that is the same as one of the characters in this new word. If it fails to add this next word, it puts this word to the back of the list and tries the next word. If at any point, it is no longer able to add one of the remaining unplaced words, it back tracks and changes the previously added word to a different one. So in theory it should attempt to find a solution by trying every single word in the top left 0,0 position, then attempting to add the others where they can fit. The complete crossword solution has the word Quantity in the top left going across so in theory a solution should be possible with this word at this position and this orientation. Hopefully someone can shed some light on a solution. Many thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 31 May 2009 10:02 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice I am creating a crossword generator where you can enter the size of the grid and a list of words but for the life of me cannot get it to generate a puzzle with all the words in my list. This list of words is from a crossword that I know is possible. Now either my generator is not up to scratch or the process of creating a crossword is very complex and will require so many iterations that it would take a long time to work out a solution. Here is the list of words I am trying to generate the crossword with. The size of the grid is 9 x 9. I have tried several online crossword generators and none of them are able to generate a puzzle of this size with these words. The most words I have been able to generate a puzzle with is 11 words. However I know for a fact it is possible as I have an actual crossword with these 16 words. I would therefore appreciate any advice. Perhaps someone has a crossword generator they can try these 16 words in? quantity alb iliad epee jinx glass inn tarragon quake amble twin yearn pilot icing xenon user Thanks in advance Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Thanks Paul Yes I suspect my algorithm is incorrect as I have tried 20,000 loops and it still can't find a solution with all 16 words. I was just thinking as none of the online crossword generators are able to find a solution that it perhaps is more complex than meets the eye. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Andrews Sent: 31 May 2009 12:37 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice I suspect that the algorithm is wrong. For example quantity top left, alb will only fit quantity in one place and there is only one other a candidate amble. Very quickly your choices will be reduced due to placement, so 5,000 attempts seems excessive. Sadly I have a ton of other things to do or I'd have a go myself. Paul - Original Message - From: Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com To: 'Flash Coders List' flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 12:17 PM Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice Thanks Paul My code should backtrack in the situation you mention. So for example if it fits tarragon on the first t but then continues to not be able to find a solution with tarragon in this position, it will backtrack so that it changes tarragon to the second t. However I still can't find a solution with 16 words. There may be some other flaws in my logic preventing this. I was wondering if in order to find a solution it will take thousands of attempts to find a solution? I have a counter that when reaches 5000, it breaks out of the loop trying to find the solution so I am effectively trying 5000 combinations - perhaps there is an equation to calculate how many combinations there are? I would be interested if anyone else can solve this puzzle with an alternative crossword generator? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Andrews Sent: 31 May 2009 12:07 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice There is a flaw in your logic. It may be that multiple words fit a given situation, and so it's necessary (with such a simple algorithm) to backtrack and look for another word to fit once you are unable to fit another word from your list - so the real problem is saving where you are in the list of possible combinations as you go along. For example, in quantity there are two t s, so there are two possibilities for fitting a word. You may go with tarragon for the first t but in practice it may only be possible to have a solution with tarragon as the second t. You must be able to backtrack your choice of tarragon as a solution for the first t and go with twin instead. You must be able to do this at every stage. Once you can your software should work. Paul - Original Message - From: Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com To: 'Flash Coders List' flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 10:09 AM Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice Just to add more information to how I am currently trying to achieve this. I basically start with the first word in the list and place it in the top left position 0,0. I then attempt to add the next word in the list by finding a character in the first word that is the same as one of the characters in this new word. If it fails to add this next word, it puts this word to the back of the list and tries the next word. If at any point, it is no longer able to add one of the remaining unplaced words, it back tracks and changes the previously added word to a different one. So in theory it should attempt to find a solution by trying every single word in the top left 0,0 position, then attempting to add the others where they can fit. The complete crossword solution has the word Quantity in the top left going across so in theory a solution should be possible with this word at this position and this orientation. Hopefully someone can shed some light on a solution. Many thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 31 May 2009 10:02 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice I am creating a crossword generator where you can enter the size of the grid and a list of words but for the life of me cannot get it to generate a puzzle with all the words in my list. This list of words is from a crossword that I know is possible. Now either my generator is not up to scratch or the process of creating a crossword is very complex and will require so many iterations that it would take a long time to work out a solution. Here is the list of words I am trying to generate
RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Thanks Charles for the great suggestions. I will implement your suggestions but am still curious as to why my code doesn't work. Without ordering the list or starting the first word elsewhere, the one solution I am aware of for these 16 words has the word QUANTITY top left - hence my reasoning for trying this. I am not sure if standard crosswords always have the first word top left or not. Anyway as Paul Andrews suggests, my algorithm must be incorrect so I need to go through this with a fine tooth comb and see where any why it is failing. Thanks for your advice Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Charles Parcell Sent: 31 May 2009 15:19 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice Two suggestions. 1) Order your list of words from longest to shortest. Longer words have more letters to build off of for future word placement. Longer words are also harder to place within the grid size as additional words are added. 2) Starting your first word in the upper left limits how additional words are chained off of it. Specifically, you are limiting the generator to only matching the first letter of the second word to be placed. As an alternative you could place your first word (horizontally or vertically, try both) in the middle of your grid. This will allow for middle letters to be matched with the first word. Even better would be to have a floating grid. Start placing words allowing the range of X and Y to adjust but maintaining the maximum X and Y of your target grid. For example, lets say your first word is 8 characters long and your second word is 8 characters long as well. Your second word would cross the first word at position 5 or the first word and position 2 of the second word. Now if the first word were placed in the top left or the middle of the 9x9 grid, this match is not possible. If your generator could shift to allow for these words to fit within the constraints of your 9x9 range, you would be more likely to find a larger range of possible board layouts. In the case above, lets say the first word was placed horizontally in the middle of the grid on row 5. The result would be that the starting word would slide from row 5 up to row 3 to allow the second word to run from row 2 through row 9. Obviously this sliding around the grid would likely only happen within the first 2-6 placements (assuming that you were placing longer words first). By this point your would run out of range to slide your grid around. Meaning you would have met your X and Y bounds by sliding around your grid. Charles P. On Sun, May 31, 2009 at 7:36 AM, Paul Andrews p...@ipauland.com wrote: I suspect that the algorithm is wrong. For example quantity top left, alb will only fit quantity in one place and there is only one other a candidate amble. Very quickly your choices will be reduced due to placement, so 5,000 attempts seems excessive. Sadly I have a ton of other things to do or I'd have a go myself. Paul - Original Message - From: Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.com To: 'Flash Coders List' flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Sent: Sunday, May 31, 2009 12:17 PM Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice Thanks Paul My code should backtrack in the situation you mention. So for example if it fits tarragon on the first t but then continues to not be able to find a solution with tarragon in this position, it will backtrack so that it changes tarragon to the second t. However I still can't find a solution with 16 words. There may be some other flaws in my logic preventing this. I was wondering if in order to find a solution it will take thousands of attempts to find a solution? I have a counter that when reaches 5000, it breaks out of the loop trying to find the solution so I am effectively trying 5000 combinations - perhaps there is an equation to calculate how many combinations there are? I would be interested if anyone else can solve this puzzle with an alternative crossword generator? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Andrews Sent: 31 May 2009 12:07 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice There is a flaw in your logic. It may be that multiple words fit a given situation, and so it's necessary (with such a simple algorithm) to backtrack and look for another word to fit once you are unable to fit another word from your list - so the real problem is saving where you are in the list of possible combinations as you go along. For example, in quantity there are two t s, so there are two possibilities for fitting a word. You may go with tarragon for the first t but in practice it may only be possible to have a solution with tarragon
RE: [Flashcoders] Crossword generator advice
Bit of a breakthrough - if I order the words in my initial list in the order that the words appear in the crossword solution, my algorithm finds the solution. Unfortunately though when in a different order, it doesn't work. ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Projector Serial Number protection
Hi Glen MDM Zinc has a serial number implementation. Hope that helps Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 26 May 2009 21:50 To: Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com Subject: [Flashcoders] Projector Serial Number protection Hi, Quick question whilst I am also Googling... Does anyone have any recommendations for tools that will package up a Flash projector with serial number licensing facilities. I guess it does not have to be a Flash projector tool, any installer that adds serial number protection would be good. I am not under the illusion that this will prevent software theft, but may hamper it enough to be useful... Cheers Glen -- Glen Pike 01326 218440 www.glenpike.co.uk http://www.glenpike.co.uk ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Using Tab key as a game control
Thanks Kerry - that is a very helpful reply. I do have quite a few other keyboard shortcuts and mouse controls but I understand the ease of using the Tab key to toggle between buttons. I recently completed a game for a large organisation and the tab functionality was a must for the accessibility requirements. I think it is probably safer to remove the in game tab and shift tab controls or replace with alternative key shortcuts. Out of interest, do you think the user should be able to tab between each square on the crossword? A-Z: Enter the typed letter into the square Space bar: Change between Across and Down Del: Clear the selected square Backspace: Clear the selected square (or previous if square is empty) Arrow keys: Select the neighbouring square Tab: Select the next word Shift+Tab: Select the previous word Home: Select the 1st square in the selected word End: Select the last square in the selected word Click on an unselected square: Select the square clicked on Click on the selected square: Change between Across and Down Click on a clue: Select the corresponding word Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kerry Thompson Sent: 22 May 2009 16:47 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Using Tab key as a game control Paul Steven wrote: Is it a bad idea to use the Tab key as a game control. Basically in a crossword game I am creating, I was going to use TAB to move to the next word and SHIFT TAB to move to the previous word. I notice however that when I press the TAB key all the buttons on my game screen are appearing with yellow boxes around them. I assume this is some kind of accessibility thing? Yes, it is an accessibility issue. People with compromised muscle control use the tab key to navigate to buttons, URLs, etc. I've built accessible programs a lot in the past, and I've disabled the auto-tab feature. The programs I've written have been tailored to work with specific hardware tools like switches and programmable flat-panel keyboard substitutes. If you're not building alternate accessibility features, though, you might be in a bind. Tab is the way most people navigate crosswords, but I've done crossword games where you can click on the clue or in a blank space in the puzzle. On the other hand, you might be able to get away with disabling Tab. There are other Web tools, like Shockwave, that don't implement Tab for accessibility. However, I'm not an expert on current accessibility requirements. I would recommend you find out more about what the law (and your client) require. Others on this list, and on Flash Tiger, can probably help you with that. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function
Thanks Kevin - it is working now and does exactly what I need. Many thanks for your patience! Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 16:03 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Now Glen's suggestion will work - just stick a dynamic textfield offscreen, set font to Times New Roman, and embed fonts in that. That seems to make the font available to FP8 9. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 14:32 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Bah - added the txtClue.embedFonts = true; but still no text. Is there a particular font I need to have? I can't see any reference to any particular font -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 13:50 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Yay! Will work with FP9 and 8 if you add... txtClue.embedFonts = true; (doh - sorry) -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 12:41 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function There are no fonts mentioned in the code. And no fonts appear in font mapping. I have even tried adding txtClue.font = Times New Roman; But the text just doesn't seem to want to display:( -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 21 May 2009 12:38 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function You are probly missing a font... Paul Steven wrote: Kev, when I publish this for Flash Player 8 or 9 the text does not appear. It is definitely there as the highlights are the correct position and size. Any idea why the text is not actually visible? Also out of curiousity what is the XMP metadata? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 11:33 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul - I've knocked up a quick example of moving a masked movieclip which contains textfields populated by xml data. It should work with any length clue and demonstrates how to get a list of clues/textfields to autoscroll to a position - and resizes the highlight to match height of clue textfield. Just click on the numbers to get it to move. It's not pretty and the code is a bit rough (and in AS2) - but it demonstrates the principle. You may be well ahead of this by now - but I fancied a fiddle! You can grab it here. www.flowdigital.co.uk/download/crosswordclues.zip Kev. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 08:44 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Thanks Kerry Yes I do have the Advanced Lingo for Games book that has a crossword puzzle example which has proven very helpful for the main engine behind the crossword. I also have ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University but that only has a word search. My main problem is being able to highlight individual clues and ensure they are visible within the scrollable area. I need to be able to put a highlight over the entire clue (which can be one or more lines long). If I put all the clues in one text field, the scrolling works fine - I am just not sure how to determine how high the highlight should be - especially as this will change if the text size is toggled. If someone clicks on a word on the crossword, if the corresponding clue is not currently visible (due to the need to scroll to get to it) I need to adjust the scroll to ensure this clue is visible and then also highlight the clue. So I effectively need to know what the scroll position is to display each clue and also how to determine the top and bottom of this clue. The highlight will extend the entire width of the clue text field so there is no need to work out widths. Any suggestions most welcome. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun
[Flashcoders] Using Tab key as a game control
Is it a bad idea to use the Tab key as a game control. Basically in a crossword game I am creating, I was going to use TAB to move to the next word and SHIFT TAB to move to the previous word. I notice however that when I press the TAB key all the buttons on my game screen are appearing with yellow boxes around them. I assume this is some kind of accessibility thing? I believe I can disable this using tabEnabled = false however I do not want to do this if it will reduce the accessibility of my crossword. Any advice appreciated! Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function
Thanks Kevin Would a scrollpane work if I have custom graphics for the scroll buttons. This is for young kids so the scroll buttons are non standard big illustrator arrow buttons. I don't want to have OS style scroll bar or scroll arrows. Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 20 May 2009 22:32 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul - why don't you use a scrollpane, add all the clues as separate mc's into this component. That way you can target them separately to change the text colour if you click on a square. You could space the clue mc's by using the textheight property of the textfield within the clue mc. If you toggle the text size - you'll just have to iterate through all the clips in the scrollpane and re-space them out. You'll have to display both across and down clues if you click on certain squares. There may be better ways though! rgds - Kevin. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 20 May 2009 19:45 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function I am creating a crossword where the words and clues are read in from an xml file. I need to be able to display the clues in a small area hence these will need to scroll. I also need to highlight a particular clue if the word on the crossword is clicked. Problem is that some clues will be on more than one line so I am not sure how best to approach this and would appreciate some advice. Also I need to include a function to toggle the text between small and large. Btw I am programming this in Flash 8 with AS2. My alternative solutions are as follows: 1.Attach a separate movie clip for each clue - not sure how I would position these vertically and the effect of toggling the text size 2.Put all the clues in one dynamic text field - not sure how I would select a particular clue. With this solution would I be best to use a mask and therefore have all the clues effectively displayed in the dynamic text field at once. Any advice on how best to deal with this would be really appreciated. Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function
Thanks Kerry Yes I do have the Advanced Lingo for Games book that has a crossword puzzle example which has proven very helpful for the main engine behind the crossword. I also have ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University but that only has a word search. My main problem is being able to highlight individual clues and ensure they are visible within the scrollable area. I need to be able to put a highlight over the entire clue (which can be one or more lines long). If I put all the clues in one text field, the scrolling works fine - I am just not sure how to determine how high the highlight should be - especially as this will change if the text size is toggled. If someone clicks on a word on the crossword, if the corresponding clue is not currently visible (due to the need to scroll to get to it) I need to adjust the scroll to ensure this clue is visible and then also highlight the clue. So I effectively need to know what the scroll position is to display each clue and also how to determine the top and bottom of this clue. The highlight will extend the entire width of the clue text field so there is no need to work out widths. Any suggestions most welcome. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kerry Thompson Sent: 20 May 2009 20:11 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul Steven wrote: I am creating a crossword where the words and clues are read in from an xml file. I need to be able to display the clues in a small area hence these will need to scroll. I also need to highlight a particular clue if the word on the crossword is clicked. Problem is that some clues will be on more than one line so I am not sure how best to approach this and would appreciate some advice. Also I need to include a function to toggle the text between small and large. Btw I am programming this in Flash 8 with AS2.snip Any advice on how best to deal with this would be really appreciated. Gary Rosenzweig has a really good book, Macromedia Flash MX ActionScript for Fun and Games. I'm pretty sure it has the source for a crossword game in it, and it's AS2. It's pretty cheap--around a dollar on Amazon. He also has an updated book with AS3 code, ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University. I haven't used this book, but I did use a similar book he had for Director, and I adapted his crossword code for the now defunct Learning Network. It's pretty good code, and easy to adapt. My version might even still be up on Family Education Network (www.fen.com). I haven't checked, but they inherited everything from Learning Network. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Operator Help!!
Your code works fine for me this end.
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Karl
DeSaulniers
Sent: 21 May 2009 06:15
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: [Flashcoders] Operator Help!!
EEEk.. anyone!!!
What am I doing wrong?? This is AS2.
var sunrise:Array = new Array(6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, 17);
var sunset:Array = new Array(18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 0,
1, 2, 3, 4, 5);
var time:Date = new Date();
var hour:Number = time.getHours();
var hours:String = hour.toString();
var snRSE:String = sunrise[hours];
var snSET:String = sunset[hours];
this.onEnterFrame = function() {
if (hours == snRSE) {
BKGND.BKGND_Grad._alpha -= BKGND.BKGND_Grad._alpha +
8.333;
} else if (hours == snSET) {
BKGND.BKGND_Grad._alpha += BKGND.BKGND_Grad._alpha +
8.333;
}
};
I feel this is probably so easy, but it is eluding me for some reason.
flash says for this line:
if (hours == snRSE) {
- operator = must be followed by an Operand ???
Karl DeSaulniers
Design Drumm
http://designdrumm.com
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RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function
Hey thanks a million Kev! I will have a look at this now. I really appreciate your time knocking up this file. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 11:33 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul - I've knocked up a quick example of moving a masked movieclip which contains textfields populated by xml data. It should work with any length clue and demonstrates how to get a list of clues/textfields to autoscroll to a position - and resizes the highlight to match height of clue textfield. Just click on the numbers to get it to move. It's not pretty and the code is a bit rough (and in AS2) - but it demonstrates the principle. You may be well ahead of this by now - but I fancied a fiddle! You can grab it here. www.flowdigital.co.uk/download/crosswordclues.zip Kev. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 08:44 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Thanks Kerry Yes I do have the Advanced Lingo for Games book that has a crossword puzzle example which has proven very helpful for the main engine behind the crossword. I also have ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University but that only has a word search. My main problem is being able to highlight individual clues and ensure they are visible within the scrollable area. I need to be able to put a highlight over the entire clue (which can be one or more lines long). If I put all the clues in one text field, the scrolling works fine - I am just not sure how to determine how high the highlight should be - especially as this will change if the text size is toggled. If someone clicks on a word on the crossword, if the corresponding clue is not currently visible (due to the need to scroll to get to it) I need to adjust the scroll to ensure this clue is visible and then also highlight the clue. So I effectively need to know what the scroll position is to display each clue and also how to determine the top and bottom of this clue. The highlight will extend the entire width of the clue text field so there is no need to work out widths. Any suggestions most welcome. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kerry Thompson Sent: 20 May 2009 20:11 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul Steven wrote: I am creating a crossword where the words and clues are read in from an xml file. I need to be able to display the clues in a small area hence these will need to scroll. I also need to highlight a particular clue if the word on the crossword is clicked. Problem is that some clues will be on more than one line so I am not sure how best to approach this and would appreciate some advice. Also I need to include a function to toggle the text between small and large. Btw I am programming this in Flash 8 with AS2.snip Any advice on how best to deal with this would be really appreciated. Gary Rosenzweig has a really good book, Macromedia Flash MX ActionScript for Fun and Games. I'm pretty sure it has the source for a crossword game in it, and it's AS2. It's pretty cheap--around a dollar on Amazon. He also has an updated book with AS3 code, ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University. I haven't used this book, but I did use a similar book he had for Director, and I adapted his crossword code for the now defunct Learning Network. It's pretty good code, and easy to adapt. My version might even still be up on Family Education Network (www.fen.com). I haven't checked, but they inherited everything from Learning Network. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function
There are no fonts mentioned in the code. And no fonts appear in font mapping. I have even tried adding txtClue.font = Times New Roman; But the text just doesn't seem to want to display:( -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 21 May 2009 12:38 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function You are probly missing a font... Paul Steven wrote: Kev, when I publish this for Flash Player 8 or 9 the text does not appear. It is definitely there as the highlights are the correct position and size. Any idea why the text is not actually visible? Also out of curiousity what is the XMP metadata? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 11:33 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul - I've knocked up a quick example of moving a masked movieclip which contains textfields populated by xml data. It should work with any length clue and demonstrates how to get a list of clues/textfields to autoscroll to a position - and resizes the highlight to match height of clue textfield. Just click on the numbers to get it to move. It's not pretty and the code is a bit rough (and in AS2) - but it demonstrates the principle. You may be well ahead of this by now - but I fancied a fiddle! You can grab it here. www.flowdigital.co.uk/download/crosswordclues.zip Kev. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 08:44 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Thanks Kerry Yes I do have the Advanced Lingo for Games book that has a crossword puzzle example which has proven very helpful for the main engine behind the crossword. I also have ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University but that only has a word search. My main problem is being able to highlight individual clues and ensure they are visible within the scrollable area. I need to be able to put a highlight over the entire clue (which can be one or more lines long). If I put all the clues in one text field, the scrolling works fine - I am just not sure how to determine how high the highlight should be - especially as this will change if the text size is toggled. If someone clicks on a word on the crossword, if the corresponding clue is not currently visible (due to the need to scroll to get to it) I need to adjust the scroll to ensure this clue is visible and then also highlight the clue. So I effectively need to know what the scroll position is to display each clue and also how to determine the top and bottom of this clue. The highlight will extend the entire width of the clue text field so there is no need to work out widths. Any suggestions most welcome. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kerry Thompson Sent: 20 May 2009 20:11 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul Steven wrote: I am creating a crossword where the words and clues are read in from an xml file. I need to be able to display the clues in a small area hence these will need to scroll. I also need to highlight a particular clue if the word on the crossword is clicked. Problem is that some clues will be on more than one line so I am not sure how best to approach this and would appreciate some advice. Also I need to include a function to toggle the text between small and large. Btw I am programming this in Flash 8 with AS2.snip Any advice on how best to deal with this would be really appreciated. Gary Rosenzweig has a really good book, Macromedia Flash MX ActionScript for Fun and Games. I'm pretty sure it has the source for a crossword game in it, and it's AS2. It's pretty cheap--around a dollar on Amazon. He also has an updated book with AS3 code, ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University. I haven't used this book, but I did use a similar book he had for Director, and I adapted his crossword code for the now defunct Learning Network. It's pretty good code, and easy to adapt. My version might even still be up on Family Education Network (www.fen.com). I haven't checked, but they inherited everything from Learning Network. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function
Kev, when I publish this for Flash Player 8 or 9 the text does not appear. It is definitely there as the highlights are the correct position and size. Any idea why the text is not actually visible? Also out of curiousity what is the XMP metadata? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 11:33 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul - I've knocked up a quick example of moving a masked movieclip which contains textfields populated by xml data. It should work with any length clue and demonstrates how to get a list of clues/textfields to autoscroll to a position - and resizes the highlight to match height of clue textfield. Just click on the numbers to get it to move. It's not pretty and the code is a bit rough (and in AS2) - but it demonstrates the principle. You may be well ahead of this by now - but I fancied a fiddle! You can grab it here. www.flowdigital.co.uk/download/crosswordclues.zip Kev. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 08:44 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Thanks Kerry Yes I do have the Advanced Lingo for Games book that has a crossword puzzle example which has proven very helpful for the main engine behind the crossword. I also have ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University but that only has a word search. My main problem is being able to highlight individual clues and ensure they are visible within the scrollable area. I need to be able to put a highlight over the entire clue (which can be one or more lines long). If I put all the clues in one text field, the scrolling works fine - I am just not sure how to determine how high the highlight should be - especially as this will change if the text size is toggled. If someone clicks on a word on the crossword, if the corresponding clue is not currently visible (due to the need to scroll to get to it) I need to adjust the scroll to ensure this clue is visible and then also highlight the clue. So I effectively need to know what the scroll position is to display each clue and also how to determine the top and bottom of this clue. The highlight will extend the entire width of the clue text field so there is no need to work out widths. Any suggestions most welcome. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kerry Thompson Sent: 20 May 2009 20:11 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul Steven wrote: I am creating a crossword where the words and clues are read in from an xml file. I need to be able to display the clues in a small area hence these will need to scroll. I also need to highlight a particular clue if the word on the crossword is clicked. Problem is that some clues will be on more than one line so I am not sure how best to approach this and would appreciate some advice. Also I need to include a function to toggle the text between small and large. Btw I am programming this in Flash 8 with AS2.snip Any advice on how best to deal with this would be really appreciated. Gary Rosenzweig has a really good book, Macromedia Flash MX ActionScript for Fun and Games. I'm pretty sure it has the source for a crossword game in it, and it's AS2. It's pretty cheap--around a dollar on Amazon. He also has an updated book with AS3 code, ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University. I haven't used this book, but I did use a similar book he had for Director, and I adapted his crossword code for the now defunct Learning Network. It's pretty good code, and easy to adapt. My version might even still be up on Family Education Network (www.fen.com). I haven't checked, but they inherited everything from Learning Network. Cordially, Kerry Thompson ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function
Bah - added the txtClue.embedFonts = true; but still no text. Is there a particular font I need to have? I can't see any reference to any particular font -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 13:50 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Yay! Will work with FP9 and 8 if you add... txtClue.embedFonts = true; (doh - sorry) -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 12:41 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function There are no fonts mentioned in the code. And no fonts appear in font mapping. I have even tried adding txtClue.font = Times New Roman; But the text just doesn't seem to want to display:( -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 21 May 2009 12:38 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function You are probly missing a font... Paul Steven wrote: Kev, when I publish this for Flash Player 8 or 9 the text does not appear. It is definitely there as the highlights are the correct position and size. Any idea why the text is not actually visible? Also out of curiousity what is the XMP metadata? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 11:33 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul - I've knocked up a quick example of moving a masked movieclip which contains textfields populated by xml data. It should work with any length clue and demonstrates how to get a list of clues/textfields to autoscroll to a position - and resizes the highlight to match height of clue textfield. Just click on the numbers to get it to move. It's not pretty and the code is a bit rough (and in AS2) - but it demonstrates the principle. You may be well ahead of this by now - but I fancied a fiddle! You can grab it here. www.flowdigital.co.uk/download/crosswordclues.zip Kev. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 08:44 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Thanks Kerry Yes I do have the Advanced Lingo for Games book that has a crossword puzzle example which has proven very helpful for the main engine behind the crossword. I also have ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University but that only has a word search. My main problem is being able to highlight individual clues and ensure they are visible within the scrollable area. I need to be able to put a highlight over the entire clue (which can be one or more lines long). If I put all the clues in one text field, the scrolling works fine - I am just not sure how to determine how high the highlight should be - especially as this will change if the text size is toggled. If someone clicks on a word on the crossword, if the corresponding clue is not currently visible (due to the need to scroll to get to it) I need to adjust the scroll to ensure this clue is visible and then also highlight the clue. So I effectively need to know what the scroll position is to display each clue and also how to determine the top and bottom of this clue. The highlight will extend the entire width of the clue text field so there is no need to work out widths. Any suggestions most welcome. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kerry Thompson Sent: 20 May 2009 20:11 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul Steven wrote: I am creating a crossword where the words and clues are read in from an xml file. I need to be able to display the clues in a small area hence these will need to scroll. I also need to highlight a particular clue if the word on the crossword is clicked. Problem is that some clues will be on more than one line so I am not sure how best to approach this and would appreciate some advice. Also I need to include a function to toggle the text between small and large. Btw I am programming this in Flash 8 with AS2.snip Any advice on how best to deal with this would be really appreciated. Gary Rosenzweig has
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function
Hey no apologies requires - I think a big thank you is more appropriate! Cheers - this is a really nice implementation! -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 13:50 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Yay! Will work with FP9 and 8 if you add... txtClue.embedFonts = true; (doh - sorry) -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 12:41 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function There are no fonts mentioned in the code. And no fonts appear in font mapping. I have even tried adding txtClue.font = Times New Roman; But the text just doesn't seem to want to display:( -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 21 May 2009 12:38 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function You are probly missing a font... Paul Steven wrote: Kev, when I publish this for Flash Player 8 or 9 the text does not appear. It is definitely there as the highlights are the correct position and size. Any idea why the text is not actually visible? Also out of curiousity what is the XMP metadata? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 11:33 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul - I've knocked up a quick example of moving a masked movieclip which contains textfields populated by xml data. It should work with any length clue and demonstrates how to get a list of clues/textfields to autoscroll to a position - and resizes the highlight to match height of clue textfield. Just click on the numbers to get it to move. It's not pretty and the code is a bit rough (and in AS2) - but it demonstrates the principle. You may be well ahead of this by now - but I fancied a fiddle! You can grab it here. www.flowdigital.co.uk/download/crosswordclues.zip Kev. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 08:44 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Thanks Kerry Yes I do have the Advanced Lingo for Games book that has a crossword puzzle example which has proven very helpful for the main engine behind the crossword. I also have ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University but that only has a word search. My main problem is being able to highlight individual clues and ensure they are visible within the scrollable area. I need to be able to put a highlight over the entire clue (which can be one or more lines long). If I put all the clues in one text field, the scrolling works fine - I am just not sure how to determine how high the highlight should be - especially as this will change if the text size is toggled. If someone clicks on a word on the crossword, if the corresponding clue is not currently visible (due to the need to scroll to get to it) I need to adjust the scroll to ensure this clue is visible and then also highlight the clue. So I effectively need to know what the scroll position is to display each clue and also how to determine the top and bottom of this clue. The highlight will extend the entire width of the clue text field so there is no need to work out widths. Any suggestions most welcome. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kerry Thompson Sent: 20 May 2009 20:11 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul Steven wrote: I am creating a crossword where the words and clues are read in from an xml file. I need to be able to display the clues in a small area hence these will need to scroll. I also need to highlight a particular clue if the word on the crossword is clicked. Problem is that some clues will be on more than one line so I am not sure how best to approach this and would appreciate some advice. Also I need to include a function to toggle the text between small and large. Btw I am programming this in Flash 8 with AS2.snip Any advice on how best to deal with this would be really appreciated. Gary Rosenzweig has a really good book, Macromedia
RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function
Thanks Glen Unfortunately that didn't work. Perhaps my PC is just playing up?! Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 21 May 2009 12:55 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function I am guessing you might want to publish for older players to see it working - can't open the file as I only have CS3 here, sorry. Try chucking a text field with the Times font embedded off the stage somewhere - not sure if that helps, but it might... XMP metadata is Adobe's proprietry XML structure for adding info to files - I guess this helps exchanging data between Adobe products... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extensible_Metadata_Platform HTH Glen Paul Steven wrote: There are no fonts mentioned in the code. And no fonts appear in font mapping. I have even tried adding txtClue.font = Times New Roman; But the text just doesn't seem to want to display:( -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 21 May 2009 12:38 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function You are probly missing a font... Paul Steven wrote: Kev, when I publish this for Flash Player 8 or 9 the text does not appear. It is definitely there as the highlights are the correct position and size. Any idea why the text is not actually visible? Also out of curiousity what is the XMP metadata? Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kevin Bath Sent: 21 May 2009 11:33 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul - I've knocked up a quick example of moving a masked movieclip which contains textfields populated by xml data. It should work with any length clue and demonstrates how to get a list of clues/textfields to autoscroll to a position - and resizes the highlight to match height of clue textfield. Just click on the numbers to get it to move. It's not pretty and the code is a bit rough (and in AS2) - but it demonstrates the principle. You may be well ahead of this by now - but I fancied a fiddle! You can grab it here. www.flowdigital.co.uk/download/crosswordclues.zip Kev. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Paul Steven Sent: 21 May 2009 08:44 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Thanks Kerry Yes I do have the Advanced Lingo for Games book that has a crossword puzzle example which has proven very helpful for the main engine behind the crossword. I also have ActionScript 3.0 Game Programming University but that only has a word search. My main problem is being able to highlight individual clues and ensure they are visible within the scrollable area. I need to be able to put a highlight over the entire clue (which can be one or more lines long). If I put all the clues in one text field, the scrolling works fine - I am just not sure how to determine how high the highlight should be - especially as this will change if the text size is toggled. If someone clicks on a word on the crossword, if the corresponding clue is not currently visible (due to the need to scroll to get to it) I need to adjust the scroll to ensure this clue is visible and then also highlight the clue. So I effectively need to know what the scroll position is to display each clue and also how to determine the top and bottom of this clue. The highlight will extend the entire width of the clue text field so there is no need to work out widths. Any suggestions most welcome. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Kerry Thompson Sent: 20 May 2009 20:11 To: 'Flash Coders List' Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function Paul Steven wrote: I am creating a crossword where the words and clues are read in from an xml file. I need to be able to display the clues in a small area hence these will need to scroll. I also need to highlight a particular clue if the word on the crossword is clicked. Problem is that some clues will be on more than one line so I am not sure how best to approach this and would appreciate some advice. Also I need
[Flashcoders] Dynamically setting color and adding a glow [Flash 8 AS2]
I am trying to dynamically set the color and apply a glow to a movie clip as
follows however one seems to overwrite the other. Anyone know why this is not
working and how to fix it? My code is as follows:
function setGameBackgroundColourAndGlow(passedHexColour:Number):Void {
var objTileColor = new Color(gameBgMC);
objTileColor.setRGB(passedHexColour);
var myGlowFilter:GlowFilter = new GlowFilter ();
myGlowFilter.color = 0x003366;
myGlowFilter.blurX = 10;
myGlowFilter.blurY = 10;
myGlowFilter.strength = 0.6;
myGlowFilter.quality = 3;
myGlowFilter.inner = true;
myGlowFilter.knockout = false;
gameBgMC.filters = [myGlowFilter];
}
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[Flashcoders] Advice on creating dynamic crossword cluesth resize function
I am creating a crossword where the words and clues are read in from an xml file. I need to be able to display the clues in a small area hence these will need to scroll. I also need to highlight a particular clue if the word on the crossword is clicked. Problem is that some clues will be on more than one line so I am not sure how best to approach this and would appreciate some advice. Also I need to include a function to toggle the text between small and large. Btw I am programming this in Flash 8 with AS2. My alternative solutions are as follows: 1.Attach a separate movie clip for each clue - not sure how I would position these vertically and the effect of toggling the text size 2.Put all the clues in one dynamic text field - not sure how I would select a particular clue. With this solution would I be best to use a mask and therefore have all the clues effectively displayed in the dynamic text field at once. Any advice on how best to deal with this would be really appreciated. Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] hitTest unreliability
If possible then perhaps increasing the frame rate, the theory being that
there will be more tests going on and less likely the mouse has moved
outside the hit area before the test is performed. I guess increasing the
frame rate may not be an option.
Hope that helps
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Mendelsohn,
Michael
Sent: 29 April 2009 14:29
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: [Flashcoders] hitTest unreliability
Hi list...
[AS2] If I moderately rapidly move the mouse in and out of a ScrollPane
component, a hitTest on movieclips contained within the ScrollPane won't
always evaluate correctly. I can't figure out why it's so unreliable,
working only about 65% of the time.
The ScrollPane contains a bunch of movieclips, each with the onRollOut
function attached:
if(this._parent.hitTest(_root._xmouse, _root._ymouse)==false){
O.UI.firstLevelMenu.flmSP.content.topicSynopsis.removeMovieClip();
}
Any thoughts?
- Michael M.
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RE: [Flashcoders] Tab accessibility of buttons within dynamically displayed movie clip
Just in case anyone else experiences problem with the tab index property set in the accessibility panel not working properly, I found that setting the tab index with code seemed to do the trick E.g instructionsBtn.tabIndex = 1; selectBtn.tabIndex = 2; highscoresBtn.tabIndex = 3; learnBtn.tabIndex = 4; btnSoundOff.tabIndex = 5; No idea why the property panel didn't work. I am publishing for Flash 6 so probably something that has been fixed by now. Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
[Flashcoders] Tab accessibility of buttons within dynamically displayed movie clip
I am trying to ensure all the buttons in my movie are accessible with the keyboard only and have run into a problem where several buttons within a movie clip that is dynamically displayed are not being highlighted by the tab. Basically I have 2 buttons on screen that are placed via the timeline. And I dynamically display a game over panel that has a Submit button and a Play Again button within it. I have used the accessibility properties panel to assign a tab order to these 2 buttons. However when the panel is displayed these 2 buttons do not highlight when the tab key is repeatedly pressed. It just highlights the other 2 buttons, alternating the highlight between the 2. Anyone any insight into why these buttons are not highlighting? Do I need to use some action script after the panel has been displayed to set the accessibility? Btw the game is being published as Flash 6 Action Script 1. Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Tab accessibility of buttons within dynamically displayed movie clip
Hi Weyert, No I didn't. I wasn't aware you could. I assume that the default is therefore not to enable them. Only one way to find out I guess. Many thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Weyert de Boer Sent: 27 April 2009 11:04 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Tab accessibility of buttons within dynamically displayed movie clip Did you enable tabChildren on the dynamically displayed movieclip? myClip.tabChildren = true ? tabChildren : Boolean Determines whether the children of the object are tab enabled. tabEnabled : Boolean Specifies whether this object is in the tab order. Yours, Weyert de Boer On 27/04/2009, at 7:47 AM, Paul Steven wrote: I am trying to ensure all the buttons in my movie are accessible with the keyboard only and have run into a problem where several buttons within a movie clip that is dynamically displayed are not being highlighted by the tab. Basically I have 2 buttons on screen that are placed via the timeline. And I dynamically display a game over panel that has a Submit button and a Play Again button within it. I have used the accessibility properties panel to assign a tab order to these 2 buttons. However when the panel is displayed these 2 buttons do not highlight when the tab key is repeatedly pressed. It just highlights the other 2 buttons, alternating the highlight between the 2. Anyone any insight into why these buttons are not highlighting? Do I need to use some action script after the panel has been displayed to set the accessibility? Btw the game is being published as Flash 6 Action Script 1. Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Tab accessibility of buttons within dynamically displayed movie clip
I tried the tabChildren code and still the buttons do not highlight when the
tab key is pressed. Any other ideas why these buttons are not being
highlighted?
The panel that is displayed has various keyframes, each with different panel
variations on. Each of these panels has a text entry field to allow the user
to enter their nickname.
I have used the following code to focus the text entry field. Perhaps this
is causing problems?
Selection.setFocus(objGame.popupPanelObject.nicknameTxt);
My buttons are the following paths:
popupPanels.submitBtn
popupPanels.playAgainBtn
I have just tried adding the following code in a function that is called
when the panel keyframe displays but still no joy:(
popupPanels.submitBtn.tabEnabled = true;
popupPanels.playAgainBtn.tabEnabled = true;
Btw here is my code to display the pop up panel, just in case there is
anything here that would affect it.
function createPopupPanel() {
var strInstanceName = popupPanels;
var strLinkageName = popup-instructions;
var numDepth = 10010;
objGame.popupPanelObject =
objGame.thePath.attachMovie(strLinkageName, strInstanceName, numDepth);
objGame.popupPanelObject.tabChildren = true;
objGame.popupPanelObject._x = -30;
objGame.popupPanelObject._y = -30;
}
Any ideas anyone?
Paul
-Original Message-
From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com
[mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Weyert de
Boer
Sent: 27 April 2009 11:04
To: Flash Coders List
Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Tab accessibility of buttons within dynamically
displayed movie clip
Did you enable tabChildren on the dynamically displayed movieclip?
myClip.tabChildren = true ?
tabChildren : Boolean
Determines whether the children of the object are tab enabled.
tabEnabled : Boolean
Specifies whether this object is in the tab order.
Yours,
Weyert de Boer
On 27/04/2009, at 7:47 AM, Paul Steven wrote:
I am trying to ensure all the buttons in my movie are accessible
with the keyboard only and have run into a problem where several
buttons within a movie clip that is dynamically displayed are not
being highlighted by the tab.
Basically I have 2 buttons on screen that are placed via the
timeline. And I dynamically display a game over panel that has a
Submit button and a Play Again button within it. I have used the
accessibility properties panel to assign a tab order to these 2
buttons. However when the panel is displayed these 2 buttons do not
highlight when the tab key is repeatedly pressed. It just highlights
the other 2 buttons, alternating the highlight between the 2.
Anyone any insight into why these buttons are not highlighting? Do I
need to use some action script after the panel has been displayed to
set the accessibility?
Btw the game is being published as Flash 6 Action Script 1.
Thanks
Paul
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RE: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage
Thanks Ron - that is another great idea. So I guess I could send a message after each level with the time elapsed and score at this point - then check at the end if all level messages have been received. I think my clients main concern with regards hacking was related to hackers being able to inject malicious code via my PHP/MYSQL code which could affect other elements on their server apart from the game. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Ron Wheeler Sent: 23 April 2009 21:02 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage One of the possible tricks that you can use, is to send messages to your high-score server during the game so that you can verify that the person passed certain checkpoints. You can throw these away after the final score is recorded and validated. At the checkpoints, you can record current score, a game state(if that is relevant) and a timestamp and then do a quick reasonableness check when the final score is recorded. You need to assume that the cheater has read your client-side code. A determined cheater can always build a simulator for your game and replace your game with their simulator. The crossdomain file gives you some protection. Ron Paul Steven wrote: Thanks jonathan - that is very useful to know. I am now going to incorporate some security anyway as the client wants it to be hacker-proof :) -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of jonathan howe Sent: 23 April 2009 15:10 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage I've done several games with relatively open high score systems. There was no prize for winning, and people cheated within the first 2 hours of launch. Don't assume they wont! Especially if the score chart posts usernames. On Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 4:38 AM, Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.comwrote: Ah I see - thanks Glen. For this particular project, there would be very little benefit in cheating as there is no prize. However it certainly sounds like something I will use on my other game projects. Thanks for your time writing out the explanation. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 22 April 2009 15:27 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage Hi, The public / private key thing is just about encrypting some of the score data that you pass to the server to stop people cheating your high score tables. for example, if your high score system in PHP uses a GET / POST something like this: scores.php?name=Glenscore=500 It's easy for me to cheat... But if you do (pseudo code): var key:String = mysecretkey; var encrypted:String = MyEncryptClass.encrypt(name=Glenscore=500, key); var result:Boolean = MyServer.sendScore(encrypted); And it does something like this: scores.php?command=submitencrypted=asdiou23q890czoued9auc0 You can then use the server key to decrypt your message. (Public Private keys are about asymmetrical encryption) Anyway, the idea is to make it harder for people to cheat - as the data is not very sensitive, you can go for a simple encryption option where you store the key in the SWF, which means that people can still decompile your Flash file and find out the key, but only the most dedicated of cheaters would do that... If you really want to go to town, you are probably going to have to create some kind of login for people to play the game / submit high scores, but to be honest, you can just go for simple score encryption - look at Jobe's stuff again - if your game does not have any kind of prize... You can get some AS3 / AS2 code that handles encryption which can be decrypted with functions in PHP. I have some links at home I can post later if you like.. Glen Paul Steven wrote: Thanks for the reply Anthony. Can you elaborate on the public private key system and what this entails? I have not heard that term before. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Anthony Pace Sent: 22 April 2009 14:25 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage Hello Paul, Making good use of a que would be required for writing to the file without errors, so a database is the best and easiest way; as well, for high scores, you might want to use a public private key system
RE: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage
Ah I see - thanks Glen. For this particular project, there would be very little benefit in cheating as there is no prize. However it certainly sounds like something I will use on my other game projects. Thanks for your time writing out the explanation. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 22 April 2009 15:27 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage Hi, The public / private key thing is just about encrypting some of the score data that you pass to the server to stop people cheating your high score tables. for example, if your high score system in PHP uses a GET / POST something like this: scores.php?name=Glenscore=500 It's easy for me to cheat... But if you do (pseudo code): var key:String = mysecretkey; var encrypted:String = MyEncryptClass.encrypt(name=Glenscore=500, key); var result:Boolean = MyServer.sendScore(encrypted); And it does something like this: scores.php?command=submitencrypted=asdiou23q890czoued9auc0 You can then use the server key to decrypt your message. (Public Private keys are about asymmetrical encryption) Anyway, the idea is to make it harder for people to cheat - as the data is not very sensitive, you can go for a simple encryption option where you store the key in the SWF, which means that people can still decompile your Flash file and find out the key, but only the most dedicated of cheaters would do that... If you really want to go to town, you are probably going to have to create some kind of login for people to play the game / submit high scores, but to be honest, you can just go for simple score encryption - look at Jobe's stuff again - if your game does not have any kind of prize... You can get some AS3 / AS2 code that handles encryption which can be decrypted with functions in PHP. I have some links at home I can post later if you like.. Glen Paul Steven wrote: Thanks for the reply Anthony. Can you elaborate on the public private key system and what this entails? I have not heard that term before. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Anthony Pace Sent: 22 April 2009 14:25 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage Hello Paul, Making good use of a que would be required for writing to the file without errors, so a database is the best and easiest way; as well, for high scores, you might want to use a public private key system for preventing xss exploits, as anyone that knows how to intercept and edit the get or post data will be able to screw with the request to the server, and you could end up with a hundred people having the best score that the column in the DB will allow. Take care, Anthony Glen Pike wrote: Not working for Cornwall County Council by any chance??? :) Paul Steven wrote: Thanks Glen and Ian Yes I am currently using a mysql database while the high scores are hosted on my site. The game is for a rather large organisation so it is not the easiest task in the world getting a database set up at their end. The mention of flash alone was enough to cause major panic so you can imagine the fear when I mentioned the need to upload php files to their server:) Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 22 April 2009 12:15 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage I am guessing that any server side code to update the XML file will rely on the server to lock files, etc. Databases are often optimised to allow for multiple clients to update, but most file based commands will lock the file preventing access by other clients so if your code throws a wobbly rather than waiting, that could be a problem... Saying that, you could look at using SQLLite for example - this uses a file based database, but your SQLLite engine will handle all of the access - a lot of PHP installations come with this nowadays and ASP code also uses ADOBC to connect to Access database files so you will have a similar system. The upshot is that using a server side database engine will make life easier because they will deal with problems like concurrent connections for you :) Glen Paul Steven wrote: I was considering using an xml file to store high score data for a game. It is quite possible that this game will have a significant amount of traffic (certainly in the first few days after launch) and I am now
RE: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage
Thanks jonathan - that is very useful to know. I am now going to incorporate some security anyway as the client wants it to be hacker-proof :) -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of jonathan howe Sent: 23 April 2009 15:10 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage I've done several games with relatively open high score systems. There was no prize for winning, and people cheated within the first 2 hours of launch. Don't assume they wont! Especially if the score chart posts usernames. On Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 4:38 AM, Paul Steven paul_ste...@btinternet.comwrote: Ah I see - thanks Glen. For this particular project, there would be very little benefit in cheating as there is no prize. However it certainly sounds like something I will use on my other game projects. Thanks for your time writing out the explanation. Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 22 April 2009 15:27 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage Hi, The public / private key thing is just about encrypting some of the score data that you pass to the server to stop people cheating your high score tables. for example, if your high score system in PHP uses a GET / POST something like this: scores.php?name=Glenscore=500 It's easy for me to cheat... But if you do (pseudo code): var key:String = mysecretkey; var encrypted:String = MyEncryptClass.encrypt(name=Glenscore=500, key); var result:Boolean = MyServer.sendScore(encrypted); And it does something like this: scores.php?command=submitencrypted=asdiou23q890czoued9auc0 You can then use the server key to decrypt your message. (Public Private keys are about asymmetrical encryption) Anyway, the idea is to make it harder for people to cheat - as the data is not very sensitive, you can go for a simple encryption option where you store the key in the SWF, which means that people can still decompile your Flash file and find out the key, but only the most dedicated of cheaters would do that... If you really want to go to town, you are probably going to have to create some kind of login for people to play the game / submit high scores, but to be honest, you can just go for simple score encryption - look at Jobe's stuff again - if your game does not have any kind of prize... You can get some AS3 / AS2 code that handles encryption which can be decrypted with functions in PHP. I have some links at home I can post later if you like.. Glen Paul Steven wrote: Thanks for the reply Anthony. Can you elaborate on the public private key system and what this entails? I have not heard that term before. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Anthony Pace Sent: 22 April 2009 14:25 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage Hello Paul, Making good use of a que would be required for writing to the file without errors, so a database is the best and easiest way; as well, for high scores, you might want to use a public private key system for preventing xss exploits, as anyone that knows how to intercept and edit the get or post data will be able to screw with the request to the server, and you could end up with a hundred people having the best score that the column in the DB will allow. Take care, Anthony Glen Pike wrote: Not working for Cornwall County Council by any chance??? :) Paul Steven wrote: Thanks Glen and Ian Yes I am currently using a mysql database while the high scores are hosted on my site. The game is for a rather large organisation so it is not the easiest task in the world getting a database set up at their end. The mention of flash alone was enough to cause major panic so you can imagine the fear when I mentioned the need to upload php files to their server:) Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 22 April 2009 12:15 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage I am guessing that any server side code to update the XML file will rely on the server to lock files, etc. Databases are often optimised to allow for multiple clients to update, but most file based commands will lock the file preventing access by other clients so if your code throws a wobbly rather than waiting
[Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage
I was considering using an xml file to store high score data for a game. It is quite possible that this game will have a significant amount of traffic (certainly in the first few days after launch) and I am now wondering if an xml file would be suitable. I am not sure what happens in the scenario where multiple players want to update the highscore at the same time - they will all need to write to the file. I assume this is the same scenario with a database but think perhaps updating a database is more efficient. Anyone care to offer any insight into whether an xml file would be suitable or not? Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage
Thanks Glen and Ian Yes I am currently using a mysql database while the high scores are hosted on my site. The game is for a rather large organisation so it is not the easiest task in the world getting a database set up at their end. The mention of flash alone was enough to cause major panic so you can imagine the fear when I mentioned the need to upload php files to their server:) Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 22 April 2009 12:15 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage I am guessing that any server side code to update the XML file will rely on the server to lock files, etc. Databases are often optimised to allow for multiple clients to update, but most file based commands will lock the file preventing access by other clients so if your code throws a wobbly rather than waiting, that could be a problem... Saying that, you could look at using SQLLite for example - this uses a file based database, but your SQLLite engine will handle all of the access - a lot of PHP installations come with this nowadays and ASP code also uses ADOBC to connect to Access database files so you will have a similar system. The upshot is that using a server side database engine will make life easier because they will deal with problems like concurrent connections for you :) Glen Paul Steven wrote: I was considering using an xml file to store high score data for a game. It is quite possible that this game will have a significant amount of traffic (certainly in the first few days after launch) and I am now wondering if an xml file would be suitable. I am not sure what happens in the scenario where multiple players want to update the highscore at the same time - they will all need to write to the file. I assume this is the same scenario with a database but think perhaps updating a database is more efficient. Anyone care to offer any insight into whether an xml file would be suitable or not? Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage
Jason, as far as I am aware PHP is my only option. I am comfortable to write the required PHP for both database and xml solutions. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Merrill, Jason Sent: 22 April 2009 14:21 To: Flash Coders List Subject: RE: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage The game is for a rather large organization so it is not the easiest task in the world getting a database set up at their end. The To do any writing to XML or to a database, server side scripts will need to be used though (i.e. PHP, C#.NET, ColdFusion, ASP). What kind of server side technology is available to you? Jason Merrill Bank of America Global Learning Shared Services Solutions Development Monthly meetings on the Adobe Flash platform for rich media experiences - join the Bank of America Flash Platform Community ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage
Thanks for the reply Anthony. Can you elaborate on the public private key system and what this entails? I have not heard that term before. Thanks Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Anthony Pace Sent: 22 April 2009 14:25 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage Hello Paul, Making good use of a que would be required for writing to the file without errors, so a database is the best and easiest way; as well, for high scores, you might want to use a public private key system for preventing xss exploits, as anyone that knows how to intercept and edit the get or post data will be able to screw with the request to the server, and you could end up with a hundred people having the best score that the column in the DB will allow. Take care, Anthony Glen Pike wrote: Not working for Cornwall County Council by any chance??? :) Paul Steven wrote: Thanks Glen and Ian Yes I am currently using a mysql database while the high scores are hosted on my site. The game is for a rather large organisation so it is not the easiest task in the world getting a database set up at their end. The mention of flash alone was enough to cause major panic so you can imagine the fear when I mentioned the need to upload php files to their server:) Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 22 April 2009 12:15 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage I am guessing that any server side code to update the XML file will rely on the server to lock files, etc. Databases are often optimised to allow for multiple clients to update, but most file based commands will lock the file preventing access by other clients so if your code throws a wobbly rather than waiting, that could be a problem... Saying that, you could look at using SQLLite for example - this uses a file based database, but your SQLLite engine will handle all of the access - a lot of PHP installations come with this nowadays and ASP code also uses ADOBC to connect to Access database files so you will have a similar system. The upshot is that using a server side database engine will make life easier because they will deal with problems like concurrent connections for you :) Glen Paul Steven wrote: I was considering using an xml file to store high score data for a game. It is quite possible that this game will have a significant amount of traffic (certainly in the first few days after launch) and I am now wondering if an xml file would be suitable. I am not sure what happens in the scenario where multiple players want to update the highscore at the same time - they will all need to write to the file. I assume this is the same scenario with a database but think perhaps updating a database is more efficient. Anyone care to offer any insight into whether an xml file would be suitable or not? Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
RE: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage
Hmm nope but it is not a million miles away from me here in Somerset. -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 22 April 2009 12:41 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage Not working for Cornwall County Council by any chance??? :) Paul Steven wrote: Thanks Glen and Ian Yes I am currently using a mysql database while the high scores are hosted on my site. The game is for a rather large organisation so it is not the easiest task in the world getting a database set up at their end. The mention of flash alone was enough to cause major panic so you can imagine the fear when I mentioned the need to upload php files to their server:) Cheers Paul -Original Message- From: flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com [mailto:flashcoders-boun...@chattyfig.figleaf.com] On Behalf Of Glen Pike Sent: 22 April 2009 12:15 To: Flash Coders List Subject: Re: [Flashcoders] Feasibility of xml file for high score data storage I am guessing that any server side code to update the XML file will rely on the server to lock files, etc. Databases are often optimised to allow for multiple clients to update, but most file based commands will lock the file preventing access by other clients so if your code throws a wobbly rather than waiting, that could be a problem... Saying that, you could look at using SQLLite for example - this uses a file based database, but your SQLLite engine will handle all of the access - a lot of PHP installations come with this nowadays and ASP code also uses ADOBC to connect to Access database files so you will have a similar system. The upshot is that using a server side database engine will make life easier because they will deal with problems like concurrent connections for you :) Glen Paul Steven wrote: I was considering using an xml file to store high score data for a game. It is quite possible that this game will have a significant amount of traffic (certainly in the first few days after launch) and I am now wondering if an xml file would be suitable. I am not sure what happens in the scenario where multiple players want to update the highscore at the same time - they will all need to write to the file. I assume this is the same scenario with a database but think perhaps updating a database is more efficient. Anyone care to offer any insight into whether an xml file would be suitable or not? Thanks Paul ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders ___ Flashcoders mailing list Flashcoders@chattyfig.figleaf.com http://chattyfig.figleaf.com/mailman/listinfo/flashcoders
