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You can download the ActionScript Language Reference in HTML format at the following location:
http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flash/
Click on the ActionScript tab, and find the link to "Download stand-alone HTML".
Let us know what you think!
I originally posted in August about customizing your Help panel in Flash 2004 (http://weblogs.macromedia.com/dehaan/archives/2005/08/customize_your.cfm). Now I'll update the steps for Flash 8 - very similar stuff.
First of all, you might have noticed a new feature in the Help panel that does search highlighting. This useful little feature has saved me a bunch of time.
But what if you're not a fan of nasal yellow? Or even search highlight? Well, you're in luck. You can control the highlight feature (modify, remove) by editing a simple CSS file. You can also change other elements of the Help panel the same way. Read on...
Caution: Before you start, remember to save a backup of the CSS files that you plan to modify "just in case".
1. Close Flash and navigate to C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Macromedia\Flash 8\en\Configuration\HelpPanel\_sharedassets (Windows)
or
HD:Users:Shared:Library:Application Support:Macromedia:Flash 8:
2. Open the help_pc.css file in a CSS editor (such as TopStyle or Dreamweaver, or a text editor such Notepad), or open help_mac.css if you're on a Mac.
3. To change the search highlight color, find and modify this section of the file. I've modified the yellow (#DFDF00) to:
.searchhilite {
background-color: #AFE28B
}
To change the background color for procedures, find the line starting with "div.procedure, div.welcomehelp, div.welcomehowdoi {" (around line 224): Add the following line to change the background color for procedures to a light purple (new text in bold):
div.procedure, div.welcomehelp, div.welcomehowdoi {
display:none;
background-color: #F0FDFF;
}
5. That's it! Save the CSS file, and then reopen Flash/Help panel.
I'll post soon about other customizations you can make, such as creating a custom search category (that pop-up menu under the Search text box).
As the title says! In earlier versions of Flash, Ctrl+F just didn't work in conjunction with Help. Well, now it does. Go to a help page in Flash 8 docs, and press Ctrl+F or Command+F on the Mac -- the Find box opens like magic. Really helps you locate stuff in those longer Help pages...
There is a lot of terminology in ActionScript, and Flash of course. One of the later efforts in documenting Flash was a brand new terminology page for ActionScript, which you can see on LiveDocs here:
http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/8/main/00001702.html
Or search "Terminology" in the Help panel, you'll find it here:
Learning ActionScript 2.0 in Flash > Terminology
If you are an ActionScript expert, then this page will be of little use to you. But if you're learning ActionScript, hopefully this page will be useful.
But that's not why I'm blogging.
This page is not comprehensive (it's manual and was kinda developed unofficially while going along, instead of consciously as a specific project. Sorry... but better than nothin'? heh.) Actually, I'm sure it could easily quadruple its length, at which time I think we'd need to reconsider the format. I digress...
What I'd like to ask is any terms - about ActionScript specifically (not necessary Flash, unless it's a feature related to AS) - please comment on LiveDocs (Terminology page on LiveDocs) and say "Please add this term ____". You don't need to define it unless you'd like to, but it will greatly help develop this page into something increasingly useful for everyone.
Thanks!
Documentation includes a page that lists the new ActionScript you can use with Flash Player 8. I am "reprinting" that information here. It's available in the Help panel here (search "additions to" with quotes):
Learning ActionScript 2.0 in Flash > What's New in Flash 8 ActionScript > New in ActionScript 2.0 and Flash 8 > Additions to the ActionScript language
And on LiveDocs here:
http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/8/main/00001133.html
Note that there is new information in the LiveDocs and this blog (ie: developments after "print time").
Read the extended entry for the entire lists!
New Classes
Format: Class Package Description
BevelFilter flash.filters Adds bevel effects to objects.
BitmapData flash.display Creates and manipulates arbitrarily sized transparent or opaque bitmap images.
BitmapFilter flash.display Is a base class for filter effects.
BlurFilter flash.filters Applies blurs to objects in Flash.
ColorMatrixFilter flash.filters Applies transformations to ARGB colors and alpha values.
ColorTransform flash.geom Adjusts color values in movie clips. The Color class is deprecated in favor of this class.
ConvolutionFilter flash.filters Applies matrix convolution filter effects.
DisplacementMapFilter flash.filters Uses pixel values from a BitmapData object to perform displacement on an object.
DropShadowFilter flash.filters Adds drop shadows to objects.
ExternalInterface flash.external Communicates by using ActionScript with the Flash Player container (the system holding the Flash application, such as a browser with JavaScript, or the desktop application).
FileReference flash.net Uploads and downloads files between the user's computer and a server.
FileReferenceList flash.net Selects one or more files to upload.
GlowFilter flash.filters Adds glow effects to objects.
GradientBevelFilter flash.filters Adds gradient bevels to objects.
GradientGlowFilter flash.filters Adds gradient glow effects to objects.
IME in the System class Manipulates the operating system's input method editor (IME) within Flash Player.
Locale mx.lang Controls how multilanguage text appears in a SWF file.
Matrix flash.geom Represents a transformation matrix that determines how to map points from one coordinate space to another.
Point flash.geom Represents a location in a two-dimensional coordinate system (x represents the horizontal axis and y represents the vertical axis).
Rectangle flash.geom Creates and modifies Rectangle objects.
TextRenderer flash.text Provides functionality for anti-aliasing embedded fonts.
Transform flash.geom Collects data about color transformations and coordinates manipulations that you apply to a MovieClip instance.
Note: Official support is added for the AsBroadcaster class in Flash 8. This class was not officially supported in Flash MX 2004.
Table 3 lists the new language elements (such as methods, properties, and parameters) added to existing classes in ActionScript.
New Language Elements in ActionScript Classes
Format: Element Type Description
clearTimeout Global function Cancels a specified setTimeout call. (See the ActionScript 2.0 Language Reference on LiveDocs for more information. http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/8/main/00001717.html)
setTimeout Global function Provides the ability to call a function after a specified delay (in milliseconds). (See the ActionScript 2.0 Language Reference on LiveDocs for more information. http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/8/main/00001717.html)
showRedrawRegions Global function Provides the ability for the debugger player to outline the regions of the screen that are being redrawn (that is, dirty regions that are being updated). The function has the player show what was redrawn, but does not let you control redraw regions.
Button.blendMode Property Sets the blending mode for the button instance.
Button.cacheAsBitmap Property Lets you cache the object as an internal bitmap representation of the instance.
Button.filters Property An indexed array that contains each filter object associated with the button.
Button.scale9Grid Property Rectangular region that defines nine scaling regions for the instance.
System.capabilities.hasIME Property Indicates if the system has an IME installed.
Date.getUTCYear Property Returns the year of this date, according to universal time.
Key.isAccessible() Method Returns a Boolean value that indicates whether the last key pressed may be accessed by other SWF files, depending on security restrictions.
LoadVars.onHTTPStatus Event handler Returns the status code that's returned from the server (for example, the value 404 for page not found). For more information, see http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/8/main/00002333.html in the ActionScript 2.0 Language Reference.
MovieClip.attachBitmap() Method Attaches a bitmap image to a movie clip.
MovieClip.beginBitmapFill() Method Fills a movie clip with a bitmap image.
spreadMethod, interpolationMethod, and focalPointRatio Parameters of the MovieClip.beginGradientFill() method The method fills a drawing area with a bitmap image, and the bitmap can be repeated or tiled to fill the area.
MovieClip.blendMode Property Sets the blending mode for the instance.
MovieClip.cacheAsBitmap Property Caches the object as an internal bitmap representation of the instance.
MovieClip.filters Property An indexed array that contains each filter object that's currently associated with the instance.
MovieClip.getRect() Method Returns properties that are the minimum and maximum coordinate values of the specified instance.
MovieClip.lineGradientStyle() Method Specifies a gradient line style that Flash uses when drawing a path.
pixelHinting, noScale, capsStyle, jointStyle, and miterLimit Parameters of the MovieClip.lineStyle() method These parameters specify kinds of line styles you can use when drawing lines.
MovieClip.opaqueBackground Property Sets the color of the movie clip's opaque (not transparent) background to the color that the RGB hexadecimal value specifies.
MovieClip.scale9Grid Property The rectangular region that defines nine scaling regions for the instance.
MovieClip.scrollRect Property Lets you quickly scroll movie clip content and have a window viewing larger content.
MovieClip.transform Property Lets you make settings regarding a movie clip's matrix, color transform, and pixel bounds.
status Parameter of the MovieClipLoader.onLoadComplete event handler Returns the status code that's returned from the server (for example, the value 404 for page not found).
MovieClipLoader.onLoadError Event handler Is invoked when a file loaded with MovieClipLoader.loadClip() fails to load.
NetStream.onCuePoint Event handler Is invoked when an embedded cue point is reached while playing an FLV file.
secure Parameter of the SharedObject.getLocal() method Determines whether access to this shared object is restricted to SWF files delivered over an HTTPS connection.
System.security.sandboxType Property Indicates the type of security sandbox in which the calling SWF file is operating.
TextField.antiAliasType Property Sets the type of anti-aliasing that you use for the TextField instance.
TextField.filters Property An indexed array that contains each filter object that's currently associated with the TextField instance.
TextField.gridFitType Property Sets the type of grid fitting that you use for the instance.
TextField.sharpness Property Sets the sharpness of the glyph edges for the TextField instance. You must set the antiAliasType() method to advanced if you use this property.
TextField.thickness Property Sets the thickness of the glyph edges in the TextField instance. You must set the antiAliasType() method to advanced if you use this property.
justify Value for the TextFormat.align property Justifies a specified paragraph.
TextFormat.indent Property Lets you use negative values.
TextFormat.kerning Property Lets you turn kerning on or off for the TextFormat object.
TextFormat.leading Property Lets you use negative leading, so the space between lines is less than the text height. This lets you put lines of text close together in your applications.
TextFormat.letterSpacing Property Lets you specify the amount of space that is uniformly distributed between characters.
Video._alpha Property The specified amount of transparency for the video object.
Video._height Property Indicates the height of the video instance.
Video._name Property Indicates the instance name of the video.
Video._parent Property Indicates the movie clip instance or object that contains the video instance.
Video._rotation Property Sets the amount of rotation of the video instance in degrees.
Video._visible Property Sets the visibility of a video instance.
Video._width Property Sets the width of the video instance.
Video._x Property Sets the x coordinate of the video instance.
Video._xmouse Property Sets the x coordinate of the mouse pointer position.
Video._xscale Property Sets the horizontal scale percentage of the video instance.
Video._y Property Sets the y coordinate of the video instance.
Video._ymouse Property Sets the y coordinate of the mouse pointer position.
Video._yscale Property Sets the vertical scale percentage of the video instance.
XML.onHTTPStatus Event handler Returns the status code that's returned from the server (for example, the value 404 for page not found).
XMLNode.localName Property of the XMLNode class Returns the full name of the XML node object (including the prefix and the local name).
XMLNode.namespaceURI Property Reads the URI of the namespace to which the XML nodes prefix resolves.
XMLNode.prefix Property Reads the prefix of the node name.
XMLNode.getNamespaceForPrefix() Method Returns the namespace URI associated with the specified prefix for the node.
XMLNode.getPrefixForNamespace Method Returns the prefix associated with a specified namespace URI for the node.
Note: Official support and documentation is added for the NetStream.onMetaData event handler in Flash 8.
There are a couple large PDFs that are additional documentation for your reading and learning pleasure. First off is the VideoPlayer class API, new in Flash 8, which is over 100 pages of bonus documentation.
"This article contains application programming interface (API) documentation for the VideoPlayer class. The VideoPlayer class is a wrapper class for the Video, NetConnection, and NetStream classes, and makes it easy to play FLV files and create custom video players."
You can download it here:
http://download.macromedia.com/pub/documentation/en/flash/fl8/VideoPlayer.pdf
Next up is the XPath API class, which was available in Flash 7 but now officially documented here:
http://download.macromedia.com/pub/documentation/en/flash/fl8/XpathAPI.pdf
Enjoy!
The individual product pages just launched with new information. If you want more info about each individual product, or links to evaluate the software (see the comments here for more info: http://weblogs.macromedia.com/dehaan/archives/2005/09/studio_8_is_now.cfm), head to the individual product pages for all the info you need. That includes product tours, videos, links, etc etc.
http://www.macromedia.com/software/studio/
http://www.macromedia.com/software/flash/flashpro/
http://www.macromedia.com/software/dreamweaver/
--
Find the Flash documentation center here -- all new format, and a bunch of downloads:
http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flash/
http://www.macromedia.com/go/flash_samples/
---
OK, now I'm sure you guys get the idea.... I'll shut up now... oh - the new technotes are coming out too - be sure to check those OFTEN for common gotchas and workarounds.
In a never ending series of announcements on this here blog - LiveDocs just went up!
That's: Studio 8 in the store.
Then - Developer centers launching one by one.
Now: LiveDocs has all the brand new documentation!
http://livedocs.macromedia.com/
***
ALSO: the new Documentation support center is up -- go here!
http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flash/
*** In case you missed it: Studio 8 is OUT for the masses! Check out the page here, and scroll to the comments for the download link:
http://weblogs.macromedia.com/dehaan/archives/2005/09/studio_8_is_now.cfm
***
The brand new Developer Centers (www.macromedia.com/devnet/) are currently launching is the word on the... street.
For example, check it out:
http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/fireworks/
Nice, shiny, and new. And full of great stuff on Fireworks 8.
UPDATE: Flash is now out!!
http://www.macromedia.com/devnet/flash/
Which will be next?
*** In case you missed it: Studio 8 is OUT for the masses! Check out the page here, and scroll to the comments for the download link:
http://weblogs.macromedia.com/dehaan/archives/2005/09/studio_8_is_now.cfm
***
STUDIO 8 is now available - on the main MM site, not just DevNet! Run to the Macromedia store now!
http://www.macromedia.com/store
That's right folks, non-DevNet subscribers can now get Studio 8 too!
"With latest releases of Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks, Contribute and FlashPaper, Studio 8 offers web designers and developers a new level of efficiency, expressiveness and simplified workflow to create websites, interactive experiences and mobile content."
You can try out Studio 8 for free, and download it RIGHT NOW.
Get the Trial for 30 days!
http://www.macromedia.com/go/trystudio (available shortly... the store is up, but this isn't quite yet at time of blogging).
Or perhaps you want to read more about it, see it in action, and so on.
See Studio 8 in Action
Studio 8 Feature Tour: http://www.macromedia.com/software/studio/productinfo/features/
Check out the datasheet for more info:
http://www.macromedia.com/software/studio/productinfo/datasheet/
**==**
FORUMS FOR FLASH 8
go to:
**==**
Special Offer - Limited Time
Buy today, and enter to win a plasma TV (1 winner), camcorder (5 winners), or iPod mini (50 winners!)
See this for more info: http://www.macromedia.com/software/studio/sweepstakes/index.html
Purchase any of the Macromedia Studio 8 products below by September 30, 2005. Register your purchase by October 17. You will be automatically entered in a random drawing for the prizes above. Eligible products include:
Studio 8
Dreamweaver 8
Flash Professional 8
Fireworks 8
The contest ends 9/30.
=====
I hope you have already clicked away from this blog to go and download it right now! Or go to the Flash 8 Forums here:
Heh - it's only in the store and not even on the front of the site yet ;)