At 7/10/08 02:16 PM, ssjskipp wrote: My guess?

AS doesn't like floats (numbers with long decimals).

It can't handle precision very well, and most of the time, it doesn't come out to the same thing EVERY time (but usually, it's too small to notice).

So, what's happening is, when you multiply, it eventually gets very small, buy still exists (since friction = .7), and never REALLY goes away. What's probably happening is the map's speed is changing at a different rate from the buttons, after like, the 60th time multiplying, flash fucked up the decimals.

Quick fix:

if (Math.abs(xspeed) < 0.05){
xspeed = 0;
}
same for yspeed.

The code seems to have solved part of the problem: if you do not move the screen, the buttons do not drift. However, if you move it, they drift. I think this may be because flash is still generating incredibly long decimals, so like 50.169238689268265827481741 etc which is causing the same problem... is there any way to make flash round numbers?

The code inside both places now reads:

onClipEvent (load) {
power = 10;
yspeed = 0;
xspeed = 0;
friction = 0.7;
myBouncex = 10
myBouncey = 10
}

onClipEvent (enterFrame) {
if (Math.abs(xspeed) < 0.05){
xspeed = 0;
}
if (Math.abs(yspeed) < 0.05){
yspeed = 0;
}
if (_root.vcam, hitTest(_root.wallLeft)) {
_x += myBouncex;
xspeed = 0;
}
if (_root.vcam, hitTest(_root.wallRight)) {
_x -= myBouncex;
xspeed = 0;
}
if (_root.vcam, hitTest(_root.wallTop)) {
_y += myBouncey;
yspeed = 0;
}
if (_root.vcam, hitTest(_root.wallBottom)) {
_y -= myBouncey;
yspeed = 0;
}
if (Key.isDown(Key.LEFT)) {
xspeed += power;
}
if (Key.isDown(Key.RIGHT)) {
xspeed -= power;
}
if (Key.isDown(Key.UP)) {
yspeed += power;
}
if (Key.isDown(Key.DOWN)) {
yspeed -= power;
}
xspeed *= friction;
yspeed *= friction;
_y += yspeed;
_x += xspeed;

}

Thank you for your help thus far, i can't tell you how much I appreciate this.

Because when I put the buttons (which are actually movieclips) inside of a movieclip, I can't seem to get them to respond (I'm sure there is a way, but my buttons also have another function of loading external xml files, which I know is faily difficult to do if they aren't on the main timeline).

The swf

Ok so above is a link to a little thing I am working on. Use the arrow keys to move around. I move the background layer around with the keys, and I move the buttons around with the keys. The code in both for movement is EXACTLY the same. Why then do the buttons gradually drift away from the positions they were on the world map. I think it may have something to do with the background scaling for some reason...

onClipEvent (load) {
power = 10;
yspeed = 0;
xspeed = 0;
friction = 0.7;
myBouncex = 10
myBouncey = 10
}

}

That is the code that is in both the map and the buttons. I have yet to incorporate the walls, but they would have a similar code to the buttons.

Can anyone see any reason why this code might cause this problem or is it to do with something else? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

At 6/18/08 05:26 AM, KaynSlamdyke wrote:

At 6/18/08 05:03 AM, S4cr3d-Cr4p wrote: And do I need to somehow get it to check if I have moved my mouse over a button before it loads or reloads the .xml?

This is advised. Since all the code on the timeline executes before your user has time to hit the button, the XML is loaded. And since it has no filepath, it throws an error.

However, what your code has done is defined what happens when something happens in a future event - these are event handlers, and are normally of the form something.onSomeEvent. Things like xml.onLoad and movieclip.onEnterFrame or button.onRelease are these kind of functions.

Now here's what'll happen - every time you press a button, the code on that button will execute. But not only that, every time the XML loads (regardless of where the XML is), that onLoad(){} block will execute as well...

For each of your buttons, try doing this...

on (rollOver){
_root.mapname = "Warhouse" // Change this for different buttons
xml.load("xml/"+mapname+".xml");
}

and remove

// load the xml
xml.load("xml/warhouse.xml");

from the main timeline

What that'll do now is set the map name to the buttons, variable, and reload the XML file. The onLoad will run and execute now. There are better ways of doing this, but this will be a decent hacky method to start you off.

Thanks a LOT. Now it works! I'm still trying to figure out how to get it to work inside of another movieclip though. My only guess is that I need to find a way to tell the myImageHolder to get defined by the .xml that is loaded onto the main stage. But I might be completely wrong , as usual.

At 6/17/08 08:08 AM, KaynSlamdyke wrote:

At 6/16/08 01:48 PM, S4cr3d-Cr4p wrote: So does anyone have any kind of clue as to how to go about this?
Summary of what I don't know: how to get the image holder to move around and scale with the vcam and still work and how to call the action every frame rather than when it loads.

The sole problem here is your mapname variable is still undefined. Your buttons are simply not changing it's value. Double check your button code to make sure it is indeed refering to the timeline's mapname variable, as opposed to its own internal variables (you can use _root to refer to the main timeline if you so choose, or delve into _parent relationships if you're a bit more sure of yourself).

on (rollOver){
_root.mapname = "Warhouse"
}

That is the code I now use to set the variable "mapname" It is on the button, which is on the main timeline. When I start the movie, it tells me that the variable is undefined (which is true, as I haven't placed my mouse over the icon), but when I do, nothing happens. Is there an error in this code? Or will I have to use _parent?

And do I need to somehow get it to check if I have moved my mouse over a button before it loads or reloads the .xml? Or is there a way to put all of my information on the same xml, load it up and access different parts of it based on which button I mouse over? I'm starting to think that loading a new xml each time someone mouses over an icon might not be the best way to work it.

Also, will this change because I want to get the myImageHolder to be inside of another movieclip. From my searching around I'm guessing that I will have to code in a route from the main timeline to the instance, is this right?

So does anyone have any kind of clue as to how to go about this?
Summary of what I don't know: how to get the image holder to move around and scale with the vcam and still work and how to call the action every frame rather than when it loads.

Well, the best way is just getting hold of the .fla's and copying the best parts. I don't think you can do it with .swfs.

Ok, sorry for the double post, but there has been a new development. First off, I placed this code:

// create the XML variable
var xml:XML = new XML();
// you must ignore whitespace
xml.ignoreWhite = true;
// the function that is called when the xml is loaded
xml.onLoad = function() {
// tells you the number of child nodes
var nodes = this.firstChild.childNodes;
// tells you how many items you have
numOfItems = nodes.length;
// attach icons
for (var i = 0; i<numOfItems; i++) {
// attach image to the myImageHolder MovieClip
myImageHolder.loadMovie(nodes[i].attributes.image);
// set the text
myText.text = nodes[i].attributes.caption;
}
};

// load the xml
xml.load("xml/warhouse.xml");

on a frame of the main timeline along with the movieclip (also on the main timeline) and I got the right image. Then when I changed the last bit to:

xml.load("xml/"+mapname+".xml");

It didn't work, presumably because I wasn't calling it every frame to check. Is there any way to do this when working on a frame, rather than a movieclip?
Also, I really want the image holder to move and get scaled along with the vcam, but doing that means that it has to be inside of a movieclip, which seems like it totally destroys the code.
I am so stuck. Again, help would be much appreciated.

Ok, if this helps here is the link to the flash.
On the white box movieclip, which has the instance name myImageHolder, I have this code:

onClipEvent(enterFrame){
// create the XML variable
var xml:XML = new XML();
// you must ignore whitespace
xml.ignoreWhite = true;
// the function that is called when the xml is loaded
xml.onLoad = function() {
// tells you the number of child nodes
var nodes = this.firstChild.childNodes;
// tells you how many items you have
numOfItems = nodes.length;
// attach icons
for (var i = 0; i<numOfItems; i++) {
// attach image to the myImageHolder MovieClip
myImageHolder.loadMovie(nodes[i].attributes.image);
// set the text
myText.text = nodes[i].attributes.caption;
}
};

// load the xml
xml.load("xml/"+mapname+".xml");
}

I now get no compiler errors but get a constant stream of this output:

Error opening URL 'file:///C|/Users/MyName/Documents/xml/u ndefined.xml'

Even when my mouse is over the warhouse icon, which should give the destination of xml/warhouse.xml, which is an actual file.

By the way, the white box is inside of the vcam, which I move around. Does anyone have any clue as to why no image is showing up?

The code is inside of a movieclip, on a frame. Also, what onClipEvent should I use?

I am a complete n00b at actionscipt and completely out of my depth, relying heavily on tutorials to get through.
Ok, in my flash I define a variable when someone rolls over an icon, and then I change it when they roll over another icon.
I put this inside each button, with a different mapname each time:

on (rollOver){
mapname = "Warhouse"
}

Ok, so then I go through the normal XML loading code, but I want the link to be based off of the variable "mapname". I use this code, but it doesn't seem to work:

xml.load("xml/"+mapname+".xml");

There are several errors, which say that the code must appear within an "on/onClipEvent handler". Now I am not at all sure what to do, but also, when I move my mouse over the icon which generates the mapname, the other info does not change. My only guess is that I need to force the XML to load every time the mouse is over the button or every frame. Any idea as to how?
And the information in the XML is an image and text, and the code is inside of a vcam, if it matters.
Please don't hesitate to ask for more information.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

At 6/15/08 01:09 PM, 2-3-ryan-5 wrote: I'm working on a pong game but I can't find a way to make it so the enemy paddle never misses
can some one help
I'm using action script 2.0

Maybe you could try making the y value of the enemy paddle equal the y value of the enemy paddle. So it would track it.

At 5/7/08 05:43 PM, zrb wrote:

I've seen stuff like this done before, and in the tutorials I looked at they talked about making a movie clip that behaves like a button but I really don't know.

I would highly suggest that. Also how long did it take you to make the post!

Probably about 10 minutes. I've spent much longer trying to figure this damn thing out.

Ok, so I realise that this is a massive bump, but I was sort of expecting there to be some sort of response, any advice would be greatly appreciated. Even if you are going to say that it is impossible or bloody difficult. But no replies is just stupid.

Ok, so basically I am way out of my depth in terms of AS and I any help would be greatly appreciated. I've coded a camera that moves around a world map which has a load of buttons on it (that lead to links on the internet, if it matters), and all of the buttons are identical. What I want is so that upon moving the mouse over the button, it displays a different thumbnail and text description. I was thinking about making a text box that is variable and putting some action on the button which defines the text description as well as the thumnail link, which would probably be located in a separate folder. I've seen stuff like this done before, and in the tutorials I looked at they talked about making a movie clip that behaves like a button but I really don't know.
Please help if at all possible and don't hesitate to state if I am being unclear.
Thanks in advance.

The sounds made my ears bleed. I was scared. Please find better sounds. Also, the next bit should just be an uber hard enemy that basically beats the shit outta the guy.

At 12/29/07 03:59 PM, WindCrazy wrote: so do u want me to create a basic one? or can u provide the graphics

Yes, to the best of your ability. I may later improve on the graphics. Just make it look nice. Think about motion tweens when making your part.

And yes, I do realise that this is a massive bump but I have been away for a week.

At 12/28/07 12:31 PM, WindCrazy wrote: ya ill do it

Could you possibly produce a sort of concept menu then? I don't want you wasting your time making something that isn't going to be up to standard. The menu should include a play movie button along with a special features button which leads to a sub menu which shows two options: Bios and Extras. Let's see how you do.

At 12/28/07 11:37 AM, WindCrazy wrote: from the pm i got im not doing it... am i doing some AS or whats going on

Well from the PM I got, you basically stated that you don't do animation, but you do do scripting and that was what you wanted to do.

WindCrazy's PM:
:Ya id rather do the scripting, im just not at home ATM so i cant do anything, i will be in a hour or so. Just let me know what kind of codes u want and Ill try my best to work on it XD

And I responded stating that that would be OK and offering my help. It seems that you want to be a part of this, but don't want to do an animation. If you want to work with me on the menu, Bios and preloader, then please say that you are at least a skilled coder. So do you want in or not?

Ok, so anyone else want to join? There is still room for 4 or 5 people to join.

At 12/25/07 08:11 PM, Slodd wrote: If you think it would be best to split up my choices I'll take 3 you choose for me, since I just picked 3 randoms anyways :), but am I supposed to download the parts off putfile? because I tried to for maybe 2 minutes......im not bright. :)

How about 7, 13 and 20. There is a good variety of sounds in there for you to animate to. If you want, I could e-mail the parts to you if you are having difficulty... and please post to confirm that you are taking those parts.
And we will probably be having a menu and bios section which could have some fancy actionscript in it if you want to do that, WindCrazy, as coding appears to be your forte. I could do some graphics for that if you want.

At 12/25/07 10:32 AM, Slodd wrote: I'll take 7,8,9. And HERE is my latest work. If you can't see it, hit download on the left.

Could you possibly split up the parts you are choosing a little? It's OK if you don't want to, but I think it would be better if we have multiple story threads which we keep coming back to. And if you haven't already guessed, you are in! I will put you down for 7, 8 and 9, but please tell me if you have reconsidered my suggestion. It doesn't matter too much to be honest. Nice to see some people joining!

Could you post an example of your work please? I would like the opening part to be of exceptional quality, and it seems you haven't submitted any previous animations on NG, so you are going to have to show me something.
Also, I would prefer it if people took multiple parts, to tell a multi-threaded story and to enable a greater percentage of participants to be credited with co-author.

At 12/24/07 07:29 PM, dominicansoldier wrote: are you sure you want to make a collab with this song?? is all instrumental

Yes, I am damn sure I want to make a collab that doesn't have lyrics. Most songs have crap lyrics anyway and even when the song itself has good lyrics, often the animators are so unimaginative when doing it. I think that I will stick with this song, because although it is slow, I think that that will be incorporated into the collab - varied pacing is really important for telling an interesting story and this piece has a fair mixture of fast and slow parts.
Thanks for all of the responses so far! This collab might take a while to make, so I will probably be able to contact you if you are still interested in a month.
Anyone else?

Asturias Collab
This collab is also being run on Newgrounds Collabs, but I am also running it here, because not everyone likes the music and I need quite a few artists.

And if the text below is too long for you to be arsed to read, then you are not the sort of person we want in this collab.

Ok, so I've decided to try out an idea I've had for quite some time about a Music Collab. Now this collab may be a bit unusual, in that it is not set to the usual type of music. Brace yourself: IT IS CLASSICAL SPANISH MUSIC, PLAYED ON AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR. But I think that the song is awesome and would make an incredible collab, if the artists treated it with maturity.

Now for the stuff I have to include:
1. The framerate will be 24fps
2. BG color is white, but it is advised that you draw on your own.
3. There is no due date as of yet, but when most people are done, I will ask for parts in.
4. Stage size is 550 x 400
5. Essentially every part has to have a story. No randomness. It would be best if you all took more than one part, as then you can have multiple story threads going on throughout the collab. Once you have come up with a storyline, post it here and we will see if we can suggest some improvements. This also serves the purpose of making sure that each section is distinct and different. When coming up with a story, think of the emotions in the song - the fast parts suit angry or excited or action packed scenes, whereas the slow parts suit more romantic or sad scenes. NO JOKE PARTS. This is not meant to be funny, although it can be in a sort of cute way. NO PORN, SOUND EFFECTS, OUT OF PLACE SWEARING, VIOLENCE OR GORE, SPRITES, -OCKS, OR BADLY DONE STICKS. Take the last one as: If your sticks don't have faces or are virtually perfect, then no.
Also, I may ask to see an example of your previous work and retain the right to remove any parts from the collab for any reason.
7. The song is called Asturias and is played by John Williams (Listen to it here)
8. Here are the parts (click to hear what they sound like)
Part 1: Open
Part 2: Open
Part 3: Countevil
Part 4: Open
Part 5: Open
Part 6: Countevil
Part 7: Open
Part 8: Open
Part 9: Open
Part 10: Open
Part 11: Open
Part 12: Open
Part 13: Open
Part 14: Open
Part 15: Open
Part 16: Open
Part 17: Open
Part 18: Open
Part 19: Open
Part 20: Open
Part 21: Open
Part 22: Open
Part 23: Open
Part 24: Countevil
Part 25: Open

And yes, I do realise that some parts are longer than others, but when deciding on Co-Authors (if there are too many people), the deciding factors will be the quality of the parts, followed by the total length or effort put in to the collab. Also, I think I will be doing around 3 parts, but I haven't put my name down yet because I'm not entirely sure of the plot yet.
I will go with the parts that people don't choose, so as to allow for people to have what they want and to avoid me stealing all the best parts. When there are 3 or so parts left I will take them and the collab will be full.

E-mail me with any queries at my e-mail

Is this thing still open? Or not?

I've always wondered about the student editions... I know that you're not allowed to make money off them, but what if you won a competition and the prize was money? Also, I currently have the full version of Flash 8, can you get a student upgrade version to CS3?

At 11/15/06 04:07 AM, HaroFreak wrote: Not a matter of plot, but a lack of talent, rather.

Hmm...You really did read the thread title didn't you! You clever, clever person! I didn't actually want comments and criticism, oh no! I wanted you to say how good or bad you thought my animation skill was. I didn't want you to give me helpful advice on how to improve, what would be the point in that? I wanted you to spend 5 seconds typing out a lame response, not thinking it through like some sort of evil thinking monster!
All in all, I would like to thank you, my dear sir/madam/both, for cleverly reading between the lines to deliver exactly what I wanted to hear. Thank you so much.

At 11/14/06 05:24 PM, almostdaman wrote: ok, good animation but pointless, no plot but a bunch of colors flying everywhere

Um...it is an fbf collab, as stated above, so there is supposed to be no plot, just good, entertaining animation.

You didn't select the whole thing. You just clicked on the link. It's because the space fucks up the link (basically it replaces space with %20). This is the exact link: http://denvish.net/ulf/1163541246_FBF%20part. php