ActionScript 1:1

Welcome to ActionScript 1:1. This integrated training resource combines video tutorials, documentation and sample files to teach you the basics of ActionScript 3.0 using Flash Professional CS4. ActionScript 1:1 is designed for Flash animators and designers that want to take their work to the next level and add custom interactivity using ActionScript 3.0, but need some guidance. In the series, I start with the very basics of accessing your objects on the stage and the library and then introduce ActionScript that will make your designs and animations interactive and dynamic.

Before you Start

Before you write a single line of code, it is helpful to take a step back and think more about how you work with Flash CS4, and how to think of your projects in a different way that can help build success with learning ActionScript. This article on The Edge newsletter gives some insight into how to change your perspective on Flash projects.

Videos and Sample Files

The following tutorials are available on Adobe TV, through RSS, and through iTunes. You can also view tutorials through the YouTube Channel.

Tutorial 1: Welcome to ActionScript 3.0

Let’s start out with the basics. Working with the Library panel is a basic part of working with Flash, but let’s take another look at it to help us learn how it can be used to make our projects work with ActionScript.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Tutorial 2: Working with the Actions Panel

The trace statement is where we’ll start working with the Actions panel. This command sends information to the Output panel which is a primary way to get information about your project that you want to hide when you are finished, but want to see when you’re coding.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Tutorial 3: Accessing Object Parameters

With an object on the stage, this tutorial teaches you how to use it’s instance name to access different parameters or attributes, like it’s X and Y coordinate using ActionScript.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Tutorial 4: Changing Object Parameters

Now that we know how to access properties, we can use the same basic process to change or update property values using the assignment operator.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Tutorial 5: Exploring Named Library Assets

The Library panel and the object properties let us use ActionScript to dynamically create objects on the stage completely with code. This tutorial sets everything up so we can do that.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Tutorial 6: Adding Named Objects to the Stage

Now that we have everything set up in the Library, we can use ActionScript to create instance exclusively with code. This tutorial shows how to do that, and introduces the DisplayStack, which is the key to getting everything displayed with ActionScript.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Tutorial 7: Working with Comments

Putting in notes or information in your code is critical for you to remember what your code does when you come back to it later, or when you share your projects with other ActionScript developers. This tutorial introduces the two basic comment types that you can use in ActionScript.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Tutorial 8: Fundamentals of Functions

Working with functions are essential to building interactive projects. This tutorial introduces the basics of functions and how to access them using ActionScript.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 9: Accepting Values in Functions

When working with functions, you will often want to pass in parameters that will alter how the function works. In this tutorial, you will learn how to define parameters that can be passed into your functions.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files Not Yet Available

Episode 10: Returning Values from Functions

After your functions have completed, it is sometimes helpful to send the results of a calculation or other evaluation back to main application. Using the return statement, you can send values out of your functions back to your ActionScript.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files Not Yet Available

Episode 11: Mathematical Operators

Working with numbers and performing calculations are a basic part of any programmer’s workflow. Learn all of the basic mathematical operators that are part of ActionScript 3.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files Not Yet Available

Episode 12: Order of Mathematical Operations

ActionScript calculates addition, subtraction and all of the other math functions in a particular order. This tutorial covers how ActionScript calculates everything, and in what order.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files Not Yet Available

Episode 13: Events and MouseEvent Handlers

The cornerstone of building interactivity with ActionScript is with events. In this tutorial, discover how to build interactivity using events for the mouse.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 14: Create a Timer

Automatic, or timed events are achieved using the Timer in ActionScript. This tutorial, you will learn how to use the Timer event.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 15: Create a Clock

Using all of the skills covered in the previous tutorials, build a countdown clock that manipulates objects using their properties, take advantage of functions to group repeated actions, build interactivity with the mouse, and create repeated events based on a timer.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 16: Working with Timelines

When working with Flash Professional CS4, the Timeline is a powerful tool. In this tutorial, lean how to use the features of the Timeline with the coding flexibility of ActionScript 3.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 17: More Control with the Timeline

Dive deeper into working with multiple timelines using ActionScript 3. In this tutorial, walk through a working example that demonstrates many different ways of working with timelines.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 18: Working with the Event Object

Controlling multiple objects in a Flash project can be tricky. In this tutorial, use the Event Object to dynamically adjust multiple instances of objects with only a few lines of code.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 19: Creating Drag and Drop Objects

Add drag and drop interactivity to Flash projects. In this tutorial use simple ActionScript statements that make drag and drop possible such as mouse over/mouse out and the start/stop drag method.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 20: Introducing Boolean Values

Boolean variables are the basis for building logic into an application.  Learn some easy commands to get you started working with Boolean variables.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 21: Testing Conditions

Learn how to test for different conditions in your application using Equality and Inequality Operators. Follow along as we build a number of conditional statements, and then tests the results.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 21: Testing Conditions

Learn how to test for different conditions in your application using Equality and Inequality Operators. Follow along as we build a number of conditional statements, and then tests the results.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 22: Building Logic Using Conditional Tests

Conditional tests are only useful if you can do different things based on the results. In this video, learn how to do exactly that with the “if” and “if…else” statements.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Episode 23: Boolean Logic Operators

See how to test multiple conditions at the same time using logic operators. Learn to customize your project with more control using basic Boolean logic commands.

Adobe TV | iTunes | Sample Files

Upcoming Episodes

Additional tutorial videos will be available soon.

Documentation

Additional documentation is currently in development and will be posted here in multiple formats to compliment the video tutorials and to go into more depth on various ActionScript 3 capabilities and how to integrate ActionScript into your Flash CS4 development.