The lowdown on Flash versions

[evan]

I have CS3 Professional. How does this differ from flash 8 and MX? As I learn and try examples of code will my version use external as files?

Why use them at all vs just assign scripts to symbols or frames.

There is also one critical thing that I'm wondering about as I start out. That is the hearchy of scripts -forgive a stupid question but it seems that scripts only work when they are assigned to the timeline when the playhead reaches them or a symbol uses them.



I just want to adjust my thinking so I can plan things out.

[evan]

One more thing..

An actions layer.

is it advisable to only use one?

I assume this is done so scripts are not placed haphazardly, and also to assign one sets of global objects etc that remain consistant in the app. Is this right?

[Medyman]

I have CS3 Professional. How does this differ from flash 8 and MX

The biggest difference in Flash CS3 is it's support of ActionScript 3.0. There are some interface changes, a better flash video importer, some more styling control of default components and greater ease of interactivity between other applications in the Adobe Create Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, etc...).

There are also some added restricitons with the UI that are catered to developing in AS 3.0.

In general though, Adobe has made it more tedious and difficult for basic uses of Flash. For creating websites, animations, etc... with actionscript is a more tedious given the overhaul of the syntax conventions in AS 3.0.

As I learn and try examples of code will my version use external as files

It depends on if you need them. If you write your AS externally, then you'll have to include them into your movie like so:

#INCLUDE "external.as"

If you're not including anything, then there is no external AS

There is also one critical thing that I'm wondering about as I start out. That is the hearchy of scripts -forgive a stupid question but it seems that scripts only work when they are assigned to the timeline when the playhead reaches them or a symbol uses them

AS is executed from top-down, frame to frame. If you have AS actions on Frame 2, they will only execute when you're on frame 2.

An actions layer.   is it advisable to only use one?

I would strongly advise it. Its easier from a debugging and troubleshooting perspective. Also, if you have a dedicated actions layer that spans the length of your movie, you won't have to worry about which frame your AS is on and when it executes.

I'd also strongly recommend keeping ALL AS on this actions layer. Don't add AS to movieclips and symbols.

Lastly, whenever you can learn and get into the habit of calling things dynamically. I know you're just starting out so this might be something that you think about later. But, as a forewarning, the quicker you start the better your .swf's performance will be, the better your skills will become (as you learn how to do this properly) and it wil open a lot more possibilities for you in flash. By calling things dynamically, I mean creating and calling movie clips only when and only when they're needed. This way the system is bogged down with things on the stage that you're not currently using.

When I started with Flash, I used to have everything on the stage (though not necessarily visible) and would then move it into the viewport as I needed it. Now, all of my flash files are only one frame, with an actions layer that has an include to an external file. I call everything dynamically and I find things to be much more organized, cleaner and under my full control...just the way I like it But that's not for everyone.

[evan]

Thank you for taking the time to explain all that. I have been at gotoandlearn.com for a big part of the day, and have the general idea about how to apply classes to a script in an actions layer now.

For what I want to try this looks like the thing to do.

So now the basic formula, is then apply the class -make the declaration and then the action to carry it out as with OOP.

Any hints for newbies delving into this?

Namely I want to make a "tool box" each has a class that defines what it does (-either I code it or find it) -but I also want to change the icon and -say choose a sound from an assortment of sounds while I use the tool.

I need to start with what stock commands are available and then what I have to code.

I s there a good place to start looking -that is beyond the basic how-to-use Flash stuff?

[Medyman]

gotoandlearn() was also my greatest tool when I started.
Have you had a look at the OOP video tutorial? If you havent, I suggest that you do.

Besides that, have a look at the user submitted tutorials/codes forum sections at GTAL, there are real gems in there.