Flash :: Dynamic Class Referencing Question

[Flash 8] Referencing Class Variables From OnEnterFrame Created Within Class
Hi,
It's been a while since my last post here, but I was hoping someone could help me with a problem I'm having. I want to reference and change a class variable from within an onEnterframe function defined within a class. I can actually do this right now, but I want to do it in a different way. Here's a code sample of what I am talking about:

Test.fla file:

Code:
var t:tester = new tester()

Working tester.as file:

Code:
class tester{
private var num:Number = 100;

function tester(){
var classObj:tester = this;
var mc:MovieClip = _root.createEmptyMovieClip("test",1);
mc.onEnterFrame = function(){
trace(classObj.num); //This traces 100 (CORRECT!!!)
}
}
}
This traces 100 to the output window, just like it should

Here is the way that I would like to do it, because I want to reuse my onEnterFrame Stuff:

Code:
class tester{
private var num:Number = 100;

function tester(){
var classObj:tester = this;
var mc:MovieClip = _root.createEmptyMovieClip("test",1);
mc.onEnterFrame = this.mcOnEnterFrame;
}

private function mcOnEnterFrame(){
trace(num) //this traces undefined (BAD!!!)
}
}

As you can see, the work around to reading the class variable in the onEnterFrame function is to create a reference to the class object, before defining that function, then using the reference you created to access the class variables.

I have tried various iterations to get the second example working, but have had no luck. Does anyone know a way to get the second method working, or am I stuck using the first method.

[F8] Referencing A Static Class Inside Another Class's Instance
I've got a movie loading into a framework.

This framework has 1 instance of the class main called main.

Inside this class, another class is used, but it is used directly, not as an instance. E.g.:
code:
import com.StaticClass;
class main {
private function UseStaticClass():void {
StaticClass.init();
}
}

From my movie, I can reference the main instance as _root.main. Can I reference StaticClass at all if there's no explicit instance created or it's not assigned to a public variable?

I can't modify main to include getter/setter methods, that's why I ask.

Thanks.

Static Class Variable Referencing Class Instance
I was given the task of writing a class that would send serial requests for xml data, the idea being that the requests could be added while previous requests were still in progress, but the class would queue them and wait for the reply of one request to come back before sending the next.

The way I did this was to create a class instance for each request, and the request itself would be stored in an instance variable, waiting to be sent. A static variable called queue (accessible to all instances) was then given a reference to the instance, and when this reference got to the top of the queue, queue would call the sendRequest() method on that instance.

The reason why I am using one instance per request is so that the replies can be retrieved via the instance, so keeping each request entirely discreet.

Everything works very nicely, but the problem is my IT manager looked at the code and told me that you cannot put a reference to a class instance in a class static variable... and for this reason he has informed my line manager that he has serious reservations about the code, and recommends that it is not incorporated it into the project. However, the code works very well on my local machine and on the testsite, and no-one has experienced any problems with it.

Can someone reassure me here... I can see absolutely nothing wrong with having a class static array hold references to each of the instantiated class instances. And the proof is in the pudding.. it works. Can anyone else see a problem here?

Referencing An Mc Created In One Class From Another Class
Hello everybuddy,

Cracking site, I normally don't post but have read and learned much from here thanks to all the posters!

I'm struggling with AS3 at the moment, forcing myself to take an OO approach and slowly getting there... However I'm now stuck...

My project is a dynamically generated web page, getting pics and data from xml files.

I have a button class that creates buttons based on an xml file, this is in its own class file(buttons.as) which is called from my document class.

The document class also creates a bunch of thumbnails using (screen.as), the thumbnails are placed in an MC called thumbs (which created by the document class).

What I need now is a way of linking my button class to the thumbs MC, so that when I click a button my thumbs MC is tweened using my dotween function.

when I run my project i get an errror from my buttons.as --> 1120: Access of undefined property thumbs.

I guess what i'm asking is how to reference an MC created in one class, from another seperate class. I thought that by setting it to public this would be possible but its not working...

Here is my code:

Code:
//Document.as
package {
import flash.display.MovieClip;
public class Document extends MovieClip {
public var thumbs = new MovieClip;
public var butArr = new Array;
public var screen1:screen;
public var thumbArr = new Array;
public function Document() {
//add buttons
for (var i:uint = 0; i < 10; i++) {
button[i] = new buttons(i);
addChild(button[i]);
}

//add thumb container
this.addChild(thumbs);
//addthumbs
for (var i:uint = 0; i < 10; i++) {
var thumbleft:uint=140+i*320;
thumbArr[i] = new screen(thumbleft,275,i,320,240,"thumb");
thumbs.addChild(thumbArr[i]);
}

screen1 = new screen(140,35,1,640,240,"home");
addChild(screen1);
}
}
}

Code:
//buttons.as
package {
import flash.net.URLRequest;
import flash.net.URLLoader;
import flash.events.Event;
import flash.display.MovieClip;
import flash.display.SimpleButton;
import flash.events.MouseEvent;
import flash.text.*;
import flash.filters.GlowFilter;

import fl.transitions.Tween;
import fl.transitions.TweenEvent;
import fl.transitions.easing.*;
public class buttons extends MovieClip {
public var num:uint=1;
public var myXML:XML;
public var thisText =thisText;
public var thisID:uint = thisID;
public function buttons(thisID) {
this.num=thisID;
getXML();
}
public function getXML() {
var urXML:URLRequest;
var ulXML:URLLoader;
urXML=new URLRequest("buttons.xml");
ulXML = new URLLoader(urXML);
ulXML.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, xmlLoaded);
ulXML.load(urXML);
}
public function xmlLoaded(event:Event) {

myXML = XML(event.target.data);

var xmlID=thisID-1;
thisText=myXML.butTitle[this.num];

makeButton(thisText);
}
public function makeButton(thisText) {
var myTextField:TextField=new TextField;

// Here we add the new textfield instance to the stage with addchild()
addChild(myTextField);

// Here we define some properties for our text field, starting with giving it some text to contain.
// A width, x and y coordinates.
myTextField.text=thisText;
myTextField.width=120;
//myTextField.height=50;

myTextField.multiline = true;
myTextField.wordWrap = true;
myTextField.x=15;
myTextField.y=this.num*50+50;

// Here are some great properties to define, first one is to make sure the text is not selectable, then adding a border.
myTextField.selectable=false;
//myTextField.border=true;

// This last property for our textfield is to make it autosize with the text, aligning to the left.
//myTextField.autoSize=TextFieldAutoSize.LEFT;

//This is the section for our text styling, first we create a TextFormat instance naming it myFormat
var myFormat:TextFormat=new TextFormat;

// Giving the format a hex decimal color code
myFormat.color=0xFFFFFF;

// Adding some bigger text size
myFormat.size=16;
myFormat.font="SkandiaDisplay";

// Last text style is to make it italic.
//myFormat.italic=true;

// Now the most important thing for the textformat, we need to add it to the myTextField with setTextFormat.
myTextField.setTextFormat(myFormat);
this.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK,changePage);
this.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OVER,mouseover);
this.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OUT,mouseout);
}
function mouseover(evt:MouseEvent):void {
var glow:GlowFilter = new GlowFilter(0xFFFFFF,0.5,5,5);
this.filters=[glow];
}
function mouseout(evt:MouseEvent):void {
this.filters=[];
}
function changePage(evt:MouseEvent):void {
var newPage:Number=evt.currentTarget.num;
trace(newPage);

//not working
//1120: Access of undefined property thumbs.
thumbs.dotween("x",700,460);
}

public function dotween(command,startVal, endVal) {
var myTween:Tween = new Tween(this,command, None.easeOut, 0, 1, 1, true);
}
}
}
Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance!

Probelms Referencing A Class
Basically I have a class which extends EventDispatcher (DropDownMenu) and creates instances of another class(MenuButton) dynamically the first class is a menu the second the menu buttons for that menu.

It was all working fine until I make and instance of the dropdown menu which then makes instances of buttons and although the classpath is correct it will not make an instance of the button

this["menuMC"+i] = new MenuButton(dropMenu_mc, p_obj.eventName, 1, 1, p_obj.txt, "VP-100-256-639", "icon_mc", p_obj.iconType, 10, yPos);

unless I first declare this["menuMC"+0] = new MenuButton(); explictily in DropDownMenu constructor which defeats the dynamicnesss of it as I dont want to predeclare the vars because I dont know how many buttons there are going to be.

Has anyone experienced anything like this - its like the class has no scope in the parent class unless it is first declared in constructor - any help would be appreciated.

AS2 Class Object Referencing
Okay, so I have an object which is derived from mty DrawGrid3d class which works lovely. The draw3d class extends the movie clip class and has a constructor methos which believe it or not builds a 3d grid. Now I cant seem to be able to refer to the objects properties in any way. for example the code below traces out 'undefined'.
Any ideas?
Cheers

Code:
my_grid3d=new DrawGrid3D(_root,130,100,16,16,12,18,176,5.9,0xC5D7FE,0xFFFFFF)

trace("GRID IS:"+my_grid3d._x)

Referencing Stage From Class
Hello,
I am trying to make my first as3 class based game and so i was wondering if i could get some help. although the game wont have fancy graphics, i just would like to understand the way it works...currently, i am at a point where im getting :

1067: Implicit coercion of a value of type flash.display:Stage to an unrelated type Stage.
in my main file robot.fla, im using

var robo:robot=new robot(stage);
//var starenemy:enemy1=new enemy1(this.stage);
addChild(robo);

inside that robot.as
....
public class robot extends Sprite {
import flash.display.Stage;
private var _stage:Stage;
....
public function robot(stageRef:Stage):void {
_stage = stageRef;
...
}
amongst other things and i cant reference anything from the stage.

I think im going nuts trying to figure out how to correctly reference things to the stage. so can you take a look and guide me and tell me how i can proceed?
Attached is the zip file

Referencing Class Methods.
Hi,

I am have a class which I am instantiating in the first frame of a movie.
The class has a method called statecheck which I would like to access from a movie clip symbol.
I can reference the method easily from the first frame. what is the correct way of referencing it from the movieclip?

import Tpanel

var public panel:Tpanel = new Tpanel;

panel.statecheck(this); // works

the same line of code in the movieclip symbol does not.

also

_root.panel.statecheck(this); // does not work in as3

Cheers

Matt

Help Referencing A Visual MC From Another Class
I have a fla file with visual content onstage. This Fla also has a document class assigned called Home(extends Movieclip.) One of the visual assets onstage is a movieclip called mcHome that the Home class controls successfully.

I’ve got another class, Photos(extends Sprite) that I have imported(from another package) and it also successfully does what it’s suppose to. However, when I add code to Photos to refer to mcHome, the onstage movieclip, I get an

1120 access of undefined property mcHome error

What is necessary to make Photos understand what mcHome is?
Thanks

Referencing A Subclip From Within A Class File
Say I have the following movieClip Structure

myMovieClip
myMovieClip.subMovieClip

I want to make a Class file for myMovieClip

I would like this Class to reference and adjust the subMovieClip._y using commands from the class file.

I keep getting errors when trying to do this. Is this a matter of syntax or is there no way to reference another movieClip from a class file?

Thanks

Referencing Class Variable From Inside Self
I have a class in an external .as called CustomGroup, and it will take in and process a number of objects which I want to name.

Code:
var myGroup:CustomGroup = new CustomGroup();
var otherGroup:CustomGroup = new CustomGroup();

myGroup.storeMarkers(someArray);
otherGroup.storeMarkers(otherArray);
I would like for each marker in someArray to be indexed with the instance name of the class object (i.e. "myGroup001", "myGroup002", "myGroup003") and ("otherGroup001", "otherGroup002", "otherGroup003")... but I cannot figure out how to target the class variable name from inside itself.

Help?

Problems Referencing Parent Class
I would like to have a child access the properties of the parent class and I've read _parent allows you to reference a parent object. However, I can't seem to get it to work. Here's an example.

Code:
class test{
public var name:String;
public var Test:test2;
function test(){
name = "testSring";
Test = new test2();
}
}

class test2{
function test2(){
var This:Object = this;
trace(This._parent.name);
}

}
//in the .fla
var Test:test = new test();
If I run it, I will get "undefined".

Referencing Stage.stageWidth From A Class
I created a custom class in a .as file. I then linked this custom class with a symbol from the library in my .fla file. However, I can't reference stage.stageWidth in my custom class file. I get a null object error.

I think this happens because the custom class file is associated with a symbol on the stage and not the stage itself. For example, if I set the fla file's Document Class to the name of my custom class I can reference stage.stageWidth in the custom class. But I don't do this because I am creating multiple instances of the symbol on the stage. In order to do that properly i found I have to set the class in the properties panel of the symbol to the underlying class which then defines how each symbol behaves.

Under this type of linkage, is there a way to reference the stage width from the class?

I've tried root.stage.stageWidth and parent.stage.stageWidth to no avail. I also made sure to import flash.display.* in my custom class.

Below is the code for my .fla file and my .as file. In the .as file you'll see the line "x = Math.random() * stage.stageWidth;". This is the line giving me problems. I could hard code it, as I do for the y variable on the next line, but I'd prefer not to in order to keep the code flexible.

I also attached the files in a zip.

Any help would be appreciated.

ActionScript Code:
//.fla code

var i:int;

for(i=0; i < 100; i++){
var myBall:flaBall = new flaBall();
addChild(myBall);
}

//.as code

package {

import flash.display.*;
import flash.events.Event;

public class Ball extends MovieClip{

var dx:Number;
var dy:Number;

public function Ball(){
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onEnterFrame2);
reset();
}

private function reset(){
x = Math.random() * stage.stageWidth;
y = Math.random() * 400;
dx = Math.random() * 20 - 10;
dy = Math.random() * 20 - 10;
}

private function onEnterFrame2(event:Event):void{
move();
checkBounds();
}

private function move(){
x += dx;
y += dy;
}

private function checkBounds(){
if (x > 550 || x < 0){
dx *= -1;
}
if (y > 400 || y < 0){
dy *= -1;
}
}
}
}

Referencing A Instance Inside A Class
Hi --

I am working on converting a movie clip to a Class so that I can more easily
reuse it in later projects.

I have pretty succesfully converted my AS code from my include file to a
Class file. However, I have two objects on the stage, topBG and botBG and
whenever I reference these items inside my code, such as botBG._y I get an
error at compile time saying "There is no property with the name 'botBG'"
How can I set it so these assets can be referred to inside my code?

The code worked fine when it was just a movie.. Also, this is ActionScript
2.0.

Thanks

Rich

Referencing Stage From External Class
I have an external class file that extends the MovieClip class and is linked to a movieClip on the main stage. I need it to be able to access properties of other movieclips on the main stage. How could I do this. Here is what my base movieclip class that I want to access the stage with looks like. Remember, it is linked to a movieclip on the stage, if that matters...
Obviously there is more code in the class, but I removed it for the sake of simplicity.

Attach Code

package{
import flash.display.MovieClip;
import flash.display.DisplayObject;
import Math;

public class Test extends MovieClip{

public function Test(){ //Constructor

}
}
}

Referencing Stage.stageWidth From A Class
I created a custom class in a .as file. I then linked this custom class with an symbol from the library in my .fla file. However, I can't reference stage.stageWidth in my custom class file. I get a null object error.

I think this happens because the custom class file is associated with a symbol on the stage and not the stage itself. For example, if I set the fla file's Document Class to the name of my custom class I can reference stage.stageWidth in the custom class. But I don't do this because I am creating multiple instances of the symbol on the stage. In order to do that properly i found I have to set the class in the properties panel of the symbol to the underlying class which then defines how each symbol behaves.

Under this type of linkage, is there a way to reference the stage width from the class?

I've tried root.stage.stageWidth and parent.stage.stageWidth to no avail. I also made sure to import flash.display.* in my custom class.

Any help would be appreciated.

Referencing An Object Inside A Class
and I'm trying to add an event listener and a function to the class, but I keep getting errors of undefined,
I tried just about everthing to be able to refference obj0 can anyone please help?

objGroup.obj0.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, onClick)
private function onClick (event:MouseEvent):void{

trace ("Click");

}

any help or advice will be greatly appreciated sincerely newwave
---------------this is my complete code - above code-------------feel free to use as you wish----------------------

Attach Code

package {
import flash.display.SimpleButton;
import flash.events.MouseEvent;
import flash.display.StageAlign;
import flash.display.StageScaleMode;
import flash.events.Event;
import org.papervision3d.core.proto.MaterialObject3D;
import org.papervision3d.lights.PointLight3D;
import org.papervision3d.materials.shadematerials.FlatShadeMaterial;
import org.papervision3d.objects.DisplayObject3D;
import org.papervision3d.objects.primitives.Sphere;
import org.papervision3d.view.BasicView;

public class pv3dMyRotation2 extends BasicView {

private static const ORBITAL_RADIUS:Number = 300;
private var angle:Number = 0;
private var obj0:Sphere;
private var obj1:Sphere;
private var obj2:Sphere;
private var obj3:Sphere;
private var obj4:Sphere;
private var obj5:Sphere;
private var obj6:Sphere;
private var obj7:Sphere;
private var objGroup:DisplayObject3D;

public function pv3dMyRotation2() {
super(0, 0, true, false);
stage.align = StageAlign.TOP_LEFT;
stage.scaleMode = StageScaleMode.NO_SCALE;
init3D();
createScene();
startRendering();
}

private function init3D():void {

camera.x = -200;
camera.y = 0;
camera.z = 0;
}

private function createScene():void {

var light:PointLight3D = new PointLight3D(true);
light.x = 400;
light.y = 1000;
light.z = -400;

var M1:MaterialObject3D = new FlatShadeMaterial(light, 0xFF0000, 0xFFCC99);

for(var i=0; i<8; i++) {
this['obj'+i] = new Sphere(M1, 50, 10, 10);
this['obj'+i].x = ORBITAL_RADIUS * Math.cos(angle);
this['obj'+i].z = ORBITAL_RADIUS * Math.sin(angle);
angle += (360 / 8) * Math.PI / 180;
}

objGroup = new DisplayObject3D();
objGroup.addChild(obj0);
objGroup.addChild(obj1);
objGroup.addChild(obj2);
objGroup.addChild(obj3);
objGroup.addChild(obj4);
objGroup.addChild(obj5);
objGroup.addChild(obj6);
objGroup.addChild(obj7);

scene.addChild(objGroup);
scene.addChild(light);

}

override protected function onRenderTick(event:Event=null):void {
objGroup.yaw(1);
super.onRenderTick(event);
}
}
}

Edited: 02/01/2009 at 08:58:22 PM by newwaveboats

Referencing Timeline Variables From A Class
Yet another question..How do I referece, within a class function, variables residing in the timeline that is invoking the class? (Very beginner here!)

So far I've had to send the timeline variables from the timeline to the class's function as parameters, which works, but there's so many. And I know I can just make these variables reside in _root and reference them this way, but that is not smart.

Does it have to do with _parent at all? Tried using it but failed..

Thanks.

Referencing A Movie Clip From A Class .as File
Okay, so I'm making a game. I've made various class files for various elements on the screen and used linkage to make the movie clips on screen members of my custom classes (by right clicking on the movie clip in the library and selecting linkage, etc). But I'm having an issue...
I can't reference child movie clips. So say I have a movie clip called "sea", and within it I have one called "fish" (instance name, of course). I use linkage to make "sea" a member of my custom "SeaClass" class. However if I try to do something like this.fish.gotoAndStop(5); I get an error saying that there is no property "fish". I understand that it's looking for a "fish" function instead of the "fish" subclip, but is there any way to make it reference the subclip?
This is a big issue because I'm having to use a lot of onClipEvent(enterFrame) variable checks for my subclips and whatnot to make them execute something instead of being able to put the command straight in a function and its really bogging down code.
I hope this makes sense... thanks in advance for the help!

Referencing The Root Timeline Within Using _root In A Class
I have a class that I wrote and I need to reference the root timline but I can't use _root to do that because my movie will be loaded into another movie. Is there another way to reference root?... maybe a _global variable? If so, how would I set up that global variable on the root timline and then use it in the class?

Thanks.

Referencing A Parent Method From A SimpleButton Class
I'm new to AS3 (know AS2 fairly well), and am having trouble wrapping my head around OOP methods of doing things. I know it will keep things organized and more modular, so I'm trying to learn, but am having trouble...

Specifically, I've defined a method called showScreen within the document class (Main). I've also defined a NavButton class that's attached to a hand full of simple buttons objects. The only problem is that, when one of the buttons is clicked, I receive an error that the parent class's method (showScreen) isn't defined.

1061: Call to a possibly undefined method showScreen through a reference with static type flash.display:DisplayObjectContainer.

(It's worth noting that I'm still learning to read those fancy new errors, and that making things public / private / static have only confused me further as to their relevance to my problem.)

PHP Code:

// Main.as... abridged to save you time
package com.as3Adventures
{
    public class Main extends MovieClip
    {
        function Main()
        {
            // sets up the elements on the stage, etc
        }
        public function showScreen(which:String):void
        {
            // animates the old screen out and displays
            // another, based on the variable passed

            // this is the method I want to call
        }
    }
}

And

PHP Code:

// NavButton.as... also abridged
package com.as3Adventures
{
    public class NavButton extends SimpleButton
    {
        function NavButton()
        {
            // sets up the button...
            addEventListener (MouseEvent.CLICK, clickHandler);

        }
        function clickHandler (e:MouseEvent):void
        {
            // does a little magic with the button, animating, etc... then...

            trace(parent);  // returns "[object Main]"
            parent.showScreen(this.name);  // <------------ Causes headaches
        }
    }
}

I suspect that making NavButton extend MovieClip rather than SimpleButton would fix this (am I wrong? I have no idea), but doing so breaks the functionality for the button that's already been written. And besides, this seems like a fairly common thing to do - calling a method from a button.

What am I doing wrong? Any help would be much appreciated.

Referencing Dynamically Created Instances Of Class
I've looked up several links but can't figure out why I can't access my dynamically created instances of class in as3... my code is...

Code:
var textPara:textPara1 = new textPara1();

content.addChild(textPara)
textPara.name = "bab"

var maxIndex:Number = content.numChildren - 1;
content.setChildIndex(content.bab as MovieClip, maxIndex);
content.bab.y = 50;
content.bab.x = 500
;

It adds an instance of the "textPara1" class (which I've put in the variable placeholder "textPara") to the display list of the "content" movieclip...

but despite assigning the new instance the name "bab", I can't seem to be able to access it (i.e. when i want to set the x and y position).

I thought it might have something to do with using array [i.e. square brackets] syntax, but already tried that to no avail.

My other thought was maybe I have to write in some sort of code that makes sure the instance has loaded to the stage/display list first and then write and function which references only after that has happened... but I could be talking nonsense!

Please please help. Any thoughts/links very very appreciated.
Cheers.

Referencing Buttons From Class That Extends Movieclip
I'm attaching actionscript classes to my movie clips by extending the MovieClip class and specifying the AS 2.0 class in the linkage properties in the library – with the intention of having basically no code in the FLA.

This works fine and I can respond to events and reference objects contained within that movie clip by declaring a variable with the same name as the object's instance name in the class.

PROBLEM is that the object has to be present on the first frame of the MC, or the class just doesn't know about its existence. I have a short animation on the timeline, and then the btnOK button appears for the first time a few frames later. Problem is that I can't setup any sort of event handler or listener, because when the class is initialised on the first frame it doesn't seem to know about the button.

So in the below code... if the btnOK is on the first frame of the timeline, it traces, otherwise btnOK is undefined.

Code:
class myMC extends MovieClip {

var btnOK:Button;

function myMC() {
btnOK.onPress = function() { trace("clicked") };
}
}
Yeah sure I could place the button on the first frame and show/hide it as needed but that wouldn't be ideal and would make me want to vomit.

By the way, I'm talking about normal everyday button symbols, not the Button component.

Any ideas?

Cheers.

Referencing A Parent Method From A SimpleButton Class
I'm new to AS3 (know AS2 fairly well), and am having trouble wrapping my head around OOP methods of doing things. I know it will keep things organized and more modular, so I'm trying to learn, but am having trouble...

I've defined a method called showScreen within the document class (Main). I've also defined a NavButton class that's attached to a hand full of simplebutton objects. The only problem is that, when one of the buttons is clicked, I receive an error that the document class's method (showScreen) isn't defined. I suspect I'm just not referencing it correctly.

1061: Call to a possibly undefined method showScreen through a reference with static type flash.display:DisplayObjectContainer.

(It's worth noting that I'm still learning to read those fancy new errors, and that making things public / private / static have only confused me further as to their relevance to my problem.)

ActionScript Code:
Main.as... abridged to save you time
package com.as3Adventures
{
public class Main extends MovieClip
{
function Main()
{
// sets up the elements on the stage, etc
}
public function showScreen(which:String):void
{
// animates the old screen out and displays
// another, based on the variable passed

// this is the method I want to call
}
}
}

ActionScript Code:
// NavButton.as... also abridged
package com.as3Adventures
{
public class NavButton extends SimpleButton
{
function NavButton()
{
// sets up the button...
addEventListener (MouseEvent.CLICK, clickHandler);

}
function clickHandler (e:MouseEvent):void
{
// does a little magic with the button, animating, etc... then...

trace(parent); // returns "[object Main]"
trace(parent.parent); // returns "[object Stage]"
parent.showScreen(this.name); // <------------ Causes headaches
}
}
}

I suspect that making NavButton extend MovieClip rather than SimpleButton would fix this (am I wrong? I have no idea), but doing so breaks the functionality for the button that's already been written. And besides, this seems like a fairly common thing to do - calling a method from a button. I also suspect that using parent may be attempting to run a method for a DisplayObject rather than the Class itself, but I'm not sure.

What am I doing wrong? Any help would be much appreciated.

Referencing Main Document Class From A Loaded Swf
Hi,
I'm loading a game swf into what is essentially a shell swf, I'd like game.swf to call a function (myFunction) in the document class of shell.swf.

At the moment I am trying to use the stage within game.swf property as a reference for shell.swf (which extends from movieclip) and then calling stage.myFunction but because the property I want to call is a custom property, it throws an error at compile time saying that the method does not exist.

Any ideas? Is it possible to do this without including the definition for the shell document class in my game.swf? Is it possible to do this without storing a reference to the shell.swf document class - i.e. being able to create the reference from within the game.swf at any desired point.

Cheers
JMC
www.funsneaks.com

Referencing Other Object Classes In A Class Definition
Here's want I want to do.
I have a ball class and paddle class. I want to put a hitTestObject statement in the ball class that references the paddle class. I need the ball class to perform the same function whenever it hits an instance of the paddle class.
Can I achieve this affect with just these two classes, or do I need to write a third class to handle collisions between the two classes?

Why doesn't this work?
ball class:

ActionScript Code:
package
{
import paddle
import flash.display.MovieClip
import flash.events.Event
public class ball extends MovieClip
{
public var xmov:Number = 5
public var ymov:Number = 5
public function ball():void
{
stage.addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, enterframe)
}
public function enterframe(event:Event):void
{
if(this.hitTestObject(paddle))
{
ymov *= -1
}
}
}
}

Referencing Text Field Within Custom Class
I have set up two classes, one is the DocumentClass and it imports a custom class i have made called XMLLoader. The problem is I want to change the value of a dynamic text field on the stage with the instance name xml_txt from within the XMLLoader class...

Code:
package classes
{
import flash.display.MovieClip;
import classes.XMLLoader;

public class DocumentClass extends MovieClip
{
public function DocumentClass():void
{
var xml:XMLLoader = new XMLLoader();
}
}
}

Code:
package classes
{
import flash.events.*;
import flash.net.URLLoader;
import flash.net.URLRequest;

public class XMLLoader
{
var req:URLRequest = new URLRequest("myXML.xml");
var loader:URLLoader = new URLLoader();

public function XMLLoader():void
{
loader.addEventListener(ProgressEvent.PROGRESS, loadProgress);
loader.addEventListener(Event.COMPLETE, loadComplete);
loader.load(req);
}

private function loadProgress(event:ProgressEvent):void
{
var percent:Number = ( 100 / event.bytesTotal ) * event.bytesLoaded;
trace(Math.round(percent));
}

private function loadComplete(event:Event):void
{
var newLoader:URLLoader = URLLoader(event.target);
trace(newLoader.data);
}
}
}

Packaging And Cyclic Class Referencing Problems
Anyone know of a good source that shows a good solution to these errors:?

"The class <classname> could not be loaded...",
"The class <classname> conflicts with the previously loaded class <classname>..."

I'm having a heck of a time trying to implement some design patterns, like Observer and MVC, inside packages...these patterns include some cyclic class referencing.

Thanks ahead of time,
Mike
Frustrated Flash Developer

Referencing A Class Intance At Root Level
I created a class to do different unit conversions and Its called

Convert.as

Now I have a main movie that is loading different SWF's into the stage depending on what section im in. Is there any way to create one instance of the class in the _root level and be able to access it from ALL the loaded SWF's? Ive experimented but I cannot get it to work. It seems like I have to instantiate the class in each FLA file. I don't like this because Ive got about 10 external SWF files that are using this class and if I change it I have to re publish all of those files. If I can somehow reference the class in the _root level then I would only have to publish it once. Please help...

And I have tried this...

var _root.myClass:Convert = new Convert();

but it wont work. Ive even tried this...
var myClass:Convert = new Convert();
_root.myClass2 = myClass

hoping that I could reference it but it wont work. So im at a loss...

I guess what im looking for is a Global Class that I can access ANYWHERE

Global Functions, Referencing Funcs In Document Class
Ok, maybe someone can help me out with this.

I've got a Document class for my project which handles a bunch of the applications functions. I have another class that extends MovieClip, And I create a bunch of instances of this class (movieclip) in my movie. I want to be able to call a function that is in my DOCUMENT CLASS from my other class (which is in a separate AS file).

Is this possible? I have it working but I have to pass in "this" to the constructor and then use that reference to call the function. Seems a bit sloppy, is that the only way to do it?

What about global functions? What is the best way to have a function that can be called from any class?

Referencing Nested Movie Clips From A Class File
Hey guys, its me again. With yet another question.

I am writing a class that extends the movie clip class and am having trouble with a certain part.

I have a Movieclip, and nested inside this movie clip are several other movie clips. The "Main" Movieclip has the linkage set to my class file. I have tried to link all the clips inside it to my class file but that didn't seem to work. When i go to change the image/Movie in say the 3rd nested clip it seems to change the image/movie of the "Hosting" movieclip. Is there any way to reference the nested clips from inside my class file?

As always thank you for any help that you may be able to give.

Lazerath

Dynamically Referencing An External Class (not Embedded Movie Clips)
I've seen several posts for how to dynamically attach movie clips from the library, since they become their own classes. This question is how to dynamically refer to external classes.

The example that showed this was:

function createNewChart(myChart:int){
var classRef:Class=getDefinitionByName("chart"+myChart) as Class;
var newChart:*=new classRef();
}

I want to instantiate an external class versus a movieclip, and using this code outright is not the trick - I get an error (Error #1065: Variable MyClass is not defined.) from the following:

var presentationClass:String = classNameFromXmlFile; // MyClass
var classRef:Class = getDefinitionByName(classFromXMLfile) as Class;
var myClassInstance:* = new classRef();

I know that hard-coding the class here does work, so the class itself is fine, as in the following:
var myClassInstance:MyClass = new MyClass();

What is the proper syntax for dynamically doing this?

Movieclip In Library Referencing Variables In Main Document Class
I have a main.fla and a main document class (main.as)

Within the main.fla file I have a movieclip in the library with the linkage id of "myMC" and it is exported within the first frame.

Within that movieclip I have two images that I would like to attach ToolTips to, however, the key is to reference the text for the tooltips from XML as I have done previously through the main.as class.

I keep getting this error Access of undefined property toolTip and XML_mc

Here is the code within myMC in the library

ActionScript Code:

_button1.addEventListener(MouseEvent.ROLL_OVER, launchToolTip);
function launchToolTip(event:MouseEvent):void {
toolTip.addTip(XML_mc.preferences.imageAltText);
}

Note: In main.as I have toolTip and XML_mc both referenced as public variables within the package.

Any ideas?

Dynamic Referencing In AS3.0
I am writing an application that allows the user to choose a subset of the data that will be displayed to them. I have eight checkboxes on the stage ("check1" - "check8") and each checkbox relates to a particular XMLList (xmlLogic, xmlSetTheory, xmlPredCalc, etc.). I put together an array of the possible xmlList variable names and was planning on using that to feed the data into one big xmlList so that I could randomize from the sets selected by the user; i.e., if a user chose only Logic then they'd get a randomized set from the logic XMLList. If they chose Logic and Set Theory, then they'd get a single random list from the list of both xmlLogic and xmlSets, and so on.

I cannot, however, get Flash to dynamically reference the xmlList data from the array of strings. Is there any way to do this? Note: I've not got this in classes right now, though if that's the only solution, I'm willing to go that way.

Thanks!
Stevie

Attach Code

// the following code is executed when the Begin button is clicked
function clickHandler(eEvent:MouseEvent):void
{
aDecksArray = [];
var cardSetArray:Array = new Array(9);
cardSetArray = ["","xmlLogic","xmlSetTheory","xmlPredCalc","xmlSeqSums","xmlCombAnal","xmlNumTheory","xmlMoreNumTheory","xmlElemMathSymbols"];
if (mcChoices.check9.selected)
{
aDecksArray.push(cardSetArray);
}
else
{
for (var i:int = 1; i<9; i++)
{
if (mcChoices["check"+i].selected)
{
aDecksArray.push(cardSetArray[i]);
}
}

}
for (var j:int = 0; j < aDecksArray.length; j++)
{
/*This is the code it doesn't like--the dynamic referencing in using aDecksArray to refer to previously defined
XMLList variables such as xmlLogic, xmlSetTheory, etc. */
xmlMasterCardArray += [aDecksArray[i]].children();
}
}

Dynamic Referencing?
If I have created empty movie clips using duplicateMovieClip(), how do I reference the movie clip instances. For instance lets say I have dupliacted 10 clips, how would I get an action to be fired when the user clicks on one of these instances? I have tried :

this["mc"+z].onRelease = function(){},

but it does not work.

Dynamic Referencing An Instance Name
Ok, What I want to do is dynamically reference the instance of an object. My goal is to avoid writing _root.box1.engine.homeX a million times. Everything is the same in this except "box1". Box1 changes from "box1" though "box72" so I am trying to write it in a way that uses the least amount of code. Is their a way to change "box1" on the fly.
Here is the script.

function moveThing(point1, point2)
_root.box1.engine.homeX=point1;
_root.box1.engine.homeY=point2;
}

Referencing Dynamic Variables
I'm loading items from a MySQL dbase, and depending on the number of items it creates a number of menuitems (MC with a textfield).

How do I populate the textfield (called Fieldname)? The eval pics up the value of the textfield, but I cant put a value in there.

Code:
_root.Numberof = _root.Numberof *1;
for(i=0; i<_root.Numberof; i++) {
//_root.news +=eval("_root.MenuItem"+i);
duplicateMovieClip("ParentMenu", "Menu"+i, (i+1));
tempvar =eval("Menu"+i+".Fieldname");
tempvar = "test";

}

[F8] Dynamic Referencing Woes
I have this function:

Code:
function loadThumbs() {
var thumbX = 30;
var thumbsArray:Array = [];
for (i=0; i<image.length; i++) {
this.createEmptyMovieClip('thumbholder'+i, i);
this['thumbholder'+i].loadMovie('images/thumbs/'+image[i]+'.jpg', 1);
this['thumbholder'+i]._x = thumbX;
this['thumbholder'+i]._y = 207;
this['thumbholder'+i].onRelease = function(){
trace('Click');
};
thumbX = thumbX+90;
};
};

Everything in this code block works the way I want it to, except the onRelease. It creates the movieclips fine, loads the images fine, spaces them horizontally fine, but doesn't create the onRelease!

Does anyone know of any issues related to using dynamic referencing in this manner?
Thanks for any help, it's safe to say this is driving me mad!
Jamie

[F8] Dynamic Referencing : Getting A MovieClip To Tell Me It's Name
[AS 2.0] I've dynamically created a set of movie clip son the stage. Inside these dynamically created movie clips there is a button instance in each clip. This instance has the following code:

on(release){
trace(this._name);
}

All i get is "undefined". I'm trying to find out which movie clip was pressed.
I'm sure this is a simple thing i've just overlooked. Any ideas?

Many thanks in advance.

[F8] Referencing Dynamic Movieclip
Hi guys,
I will be greatful for some one to give me a lead on how to go about this:
I have jpg that is loaded into a single movieclip holder through an xml file, that works fine,
my problem is how do I duplicate these dynamic movieclip holder so that it loads multiple jpg's. and at the same time have control over each of these clips like tween each to x pos on stage after a set time interval,
pls any help will make a noob happy,
thanks

Dynamic Referencing Of Component
Wanted to get some feedback on this issue I encountered with the checkbox, radio, and comboBox components (I didn't try any others).

Simple setup:
I'm dynamically generating rows each with a 'name' textfield and 2 checkboxes (active, inactive) and I'm referencing using the following method:

function printStatusRow(pname, stat){
this.attachMovie("statusRow","row"+persIndex, persIndex + 25);
var row = this["row"+persIndex];
row.pname.text = pname;//THIS WORKS FINE

if (stat == 'active'){
//trace('check1');RETURNS CORRECTLY
//row.sActive.enabled = false; THIS WORKS!?!(test to see if I could access check box)
row.sActive.selected = true; //THIS DOES NOT WORK???
}
else {
row.sInactive.selected = true; //THIS DOES NOT WORK???
}
row._x = 228;
row._y = 46.5 + (24 * rowIndex);
}

So it is strange that I would be able to access the component to enable/disable, but not set it. Another user (in another forum) was able to get this to work by using a built in delay before setting the components (see below), but I'm wondering if there are any other suggestions or possible class updates that might resolve the problem more permanently. As I'm using dynamic referencing more and more in my apps it is unsettling to think that the components might not respond accordingly. Here is the code the other user used to get working:

function printStatusRow(pname, stat) {
this.attachMovie("statusRow", "row" + persIndex, persIndex + 25);
var row = this["row" + persIndex];
row._x = 228;
row._y = 46.5 + (24 * rowIndex);
/* for (i in row) {
trace(row.label);
}*/
intID = setInterval(doSome, 50, row, stat);
}
function doSome(row, stat) {
clearInterval(intID);
/* for (i in row) {
trace(row.label);
} */
if (stat == 'active') {
row.sActive.selected = true;
} else {
row.sInactive.selected = true;
}
}

Anybody else run into this or have other suggestions? Is using this kind of timer delay for components a common practice?

Dynamic Referencing Woes
I have this function:

Code:
function loadThumbs() {
var thumbX = 30;
var thumbsArray:Array = [];
for (i=0; i<image.length; i++) {
this.createEmptyMovieClip('thumbholder'+i, i);
this['thumbholder'+i].loadMovie('images/thumbs/'+image[i]+'.jpg', 1);
this['thumbholder'+i]._x = thumbX;
this['thumbholder'+i]._y = 207;
this['thumbholder'+i].onRelease = function(){
trace('Click');
};
thumbX = thumbX+90;
};
};
Everything in this code block works the way I want it to, except the onRelease. It creates the movieclips fine, loads the images fine, spaces them horizontally fine, but doesn't create the onRelease!

Does anyone know of any issues related to using dynamic referencing in this manner?
Thanks for any help, it's safe to say this is driving me mad!
Jamie

Dynamic Referencing On OnRelease
The following code is my attempt to fade out current clip then to fade in selected clip via one onRelease command. Here's the code. Can someone set me straight?

Code:
import gs.TweenLite;
import gs.easing.*;

var whoIsOn:Number = 0;
var clip:Array = ["orange","cranberry","melon","mango"];

this.attachMovie("btn","meenie", getNextHighestDepth(), {_x:150, _y:451});
this.attachMovie("btn","minie", getNextHighestDepth(), {_x:236, _y:451});
this.attachMovie("btn","moe", getNextHighestDepth(), {_x:322, _y:451});

this.attachMovie("orange","orange", getNextHighestDepth(), {_x:275, _y:411, _alpha:0});
this.attachMovie("cranberry","cranberry", getNextHighestDepth(), {_x:275, _y:411, _alpha:0});
this.attachMovie("melon","melon", getNextHighestDepth(), {_x:270, _y:420, _alpha:0});

meenie.onRelease = function() {
if (whoIsOn == 0) {
TweenLite.to(orange, 1, {_alpha:100});
} else {
TweenLite.to(clip[whoIsOn], 1, {_alpha:0});
TweenLite.to(orange, 1, {_alpha:100,delay:1});
}
};

meenie.onRollOver = function() {
this._alpha = 40;
};

meenie.onRollOut = function() {
this._alpha = 100;
};

minie.onRelease = function() {
if (whoIsOn == 0) {
TweenLite.to(cranberry, 1, {_alpha:100});
} else {
TweenLite.to(clip[whoIsOn], 1, {_alpha:0});
TweenLite.to(cranberry, 1, {_alpha:100,delay:1});
}
};

minie.onRollOver = function() {
this._alpha = 40;
};

minie.onRollOut = function() {
this._alpha = 100;
};

moe.onRelease = function() {
if (whoIsOn == 0) {
TweenLite.to(melon, 1, {_alpha:100});
} else {
TweenLite.to(clip[whoIsOn], 1, {_alpha:0});
TweenLite.to(melon, 1, {_alpha:100,delay:1});
}
};

moe.onRollOver = function() {
this._alpha = 40;
};

moe.onRollOut = function() {
this._alpha = 100;
};
Thanks / help appreciated

Dynamic Object Referencing
Hi everyone,

i've built a accordeon like movie clip to present search form results for a web site. The results are "fed" into flash by .NET webservices and the "accordeon" itself is dynamic.

My question is i want to add a button to show further detail on each line of results, but i don't seem to be getting the button to be clickable inside the individual lines.

this is the code i use to build the "accordeon" display:

ActionScript Code:
// _y position
var y = 0;
// _depth
var d = 0;

for (i = 0; i < 13; i++) {
linesArray[i] = i;
d = d + 1;
y = y + 20;
// check for empty (undefined) results and stop adding lines
if (theResults.Collection[i].Referencia == undefined) {
i = numRegistos;
return;
} else {
attachMovie("acordeonLine", "line" + i, d);
// fill the line text boxes
txtRef = myresults.ref;
txtName = myresults.name;
}
// use the line it self as a button to slide open and show photos
this["line"+i].onRelease = function{
trace("HEY! YOU CLICKED ME!");
}
}

inside the each "accordeonLine" mc there's a button called btDetails i'm trying to use by adding this (or similar) code inside the for loop that adds line to the accordeon:

ActionScript Code:
this["line"+i].btDetails.onRelease = function{
trace("HEY! YOU CLICKED ME!");
}

the path this["line"+i].btDetails evaluates as undefined. its like its not even there.

i've tried other "tricks" but i simply can't get the click to work.

Any ideas?

Dynamic Movieclip Referencing
Hi,

Im trying to create a "onOver" function for my menu. Problem is i cant access a dynamic moviclip inside a dynamic movieclip.

Code:

function createMenuButtons():void
{
for (var i = 0; i < 4; i++)
{
   for (var ii = 0; ii < 4; ii++)
   {
      (getChildByName("menuItem"+i) as MovieClip).(getChildByName("menuTextClip"+ii) as MovieClip).addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN, menuClick);
      (getChildByName("menuItem"+i) as MovieClip).(getChildByName("menuTextClip"+ii) as MovieClip).addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OVER, menuOver);
      (getChildByName("menuItem"+i) as MovieClip).(getChildByName("menuTextClip"+ii) as MovieClip).addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_OUT, menuOut);
      (getChildByName("menuItem"+i) as MovieClip).(getChildByName("menuTextClip"+ii) as MovieClip).useHandCursor = true;
      (getChildByName("menuItem"+i) as MovieClip).(getChildByName("menuTextClip"+ii) as MovieClip).buttonMode = true;
   }
}
}

function menuClick(event:Event):void
{
trace("clicked on "+event.target);
}

function menuOut(event:Event):void
{
trace("out "+event.target);
}

function menuOver(event:Event):void
{
trace("over "+event.target);
}

This will result in error Code:

TypeError: Error #1123: Filter operator not supported on type

How do i solve this?

/thanks

[F8] Referencing Dynamic Images In Script
I'm dynamically loading six png files into a container and then building a menu out of them. How would i reference each of them so i could have an on release, go to a specified frame?? The container is 'item', so would the next be item +1/i? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks for you time in advance.

Referencing Dynamic Text Fields
Hi,

I'm a C/java/php programmer and I decided to pick up actionscript.

The transition has been smooth thus far. Actionscript is so very forgiving! No seg faults.

However, I've been pulling my hair out over one issue:

creating text fields in a loop and referencing them later.

What I am attempting to accomplish:

given an array of strings, or objects with a string variable, I want to create a text field for each, a text field which I can specifically move or resize later.

Now, this would be trivial if createTextField actually returned something!.

Now, it works fine for simple stuff like this:

PHP Code:

_root.createTextField("blah",5,10,10,20,20);
_root.blah.text = "silly";

but my weak attempt to do it dynamically didn't work out

PHP Code:

size = 10;
for(var i=0;i<size;i++) {
_root.createTextField("blah" + i,5+(i*10),10+(i*10),10+i,20,20);
("blah" + i).text = "silly";
}

By the way, _root.("blah" + i).text = "silly"; gives an error message.

I'm not used to referencing things as strings. That's crazy.

Anyway, any help would be appreciated.

Referencing Dynamic Movie Clip ID's
Hi All,

I have an interactive map where I am loading "buttons" through a database using attachMovie(). I can position the button appropriately, change the color, etc. But I cannot set the button to have a specific ID. For example, if I have 3 buttons I would like to name them button_1, button_2 and button_3 respectively so I could call other stuff out of the database based on the button referenced.

below is my code for loading the buttons to the screen.

ActionScript Code:
var positions:XML = new XML();
positions.ignoreWhite = true;
positions.onLoad = function(success)
{
placeDots();
}
positions.load("test.php");

function placeDots()
{

for (var count:Number = 0; count<positions.firstChild.childNodes.length; count++)
{
var rootNode:XMLNode = positions.firstChild;
var thisLot:XMLNode = rootNode.childNodes[count];
var lotChildren:Array = thisLot.childNodes;
var xPosition = lotChildren[0].firstChild.nodeValue;
var yPosition = lotChildren[1].firstChild.nodeValue;
var color = lotChildren[2].firstChild.nodeValue;
var dotTitle = lotChildren[3].firstChild.nodeValue;

//attaches a dot out of the db and positions it to the correct location using xPosition and yPosition
this.attachMovie("dotButton", count, this.getNextHighestDepth(),{_x:xPosition, _y:yPosition});

}
}

this is my code for the button - the tooltip pop up does work properly and i can assign info to it but it has to be hard coded. or when i try to run a variable it pulls the last item out of the loop above.

ActionScript Code:
on(rollOver) {
_global.storeID = this.id; //_global.dotName[_global.myCount];
_global.comp = "77";
_root.displayName(_global.storeID);
var myTip:ToolTip = new ToolTip();
myTip.addTip(_global.company);
}

My xml file exports data in the following fashion:

ActionScript Code:
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<positions>
<row ID="1">
<x>25</x>
<y>63</y>
<availability>Available</availability>
<dotName>Lot 1</dotName>
</row>
</positions>

from what i have seen somehow i can reference the id of the attached movie clip using "attachedMovieClip.id" but that doesn't seem to work. I was thinking an array might possibly work but somehow i would still need to assign a variable to the button.

any help on this would be great.

thanks

Eric