hi everyone. how's it going?

b.num2 = num;
//inside the class A constructor

happy birthday!

Adobe Flash

The latest version (Flash CS4) is listed at $699. There are also student discounts available, priced at $249.

There are also several free alternatives such as Flash Develop which can be configured with the free Flex SDK if you're looking to program games.

Check this out:

var my_array:Array = new Array();

for (var i:Number = 0; i < my_xml.firstChild.childNodes.length; i++) {
     my_array[i] = new Array();
     for (var j:Number = 0; j < my_xml.firstChild.childNodes[i].childNodes.length; j++) {
          my_array[i][j] = my_xml.firstChild.childNodes[i].childNodes[j].nodeValue;
     }
}

This should give you a matrix of strings containing the section part for each respective node in the xml.

Try this:

onClipEvent (load) {
     power = 2;
     var scale:Number = this._xscale;
}

onClipEvent (enterFrame) {
     if (Key.isDown(Key.LEFT)) {
          this._x -= power;
          this.gotoAndStop("move");
          this._xscale = -scale;
     }else if (Key.isDown(Key.RIGHT)) {
          this._x += power;
          this.gotoAndStop("move");
          this._xscale = scale;
     }else {
          this.gotoAndStop("stand");
     }
}

If that doesn't work, what was your syntax error?

At 8/9/09 03:55 PM, xAznaBoyx wrote: Now, I want to code a stand, But i think it will work like this,

If power(the var that declares the speed)
is 0, make it stop at standing.

But the problem is how? I think I'm going to have to create two separate variables for the stand to stay in the directions?

Please explain a code of some how.

You should just be able to animate a single idle/standing animation for both directions as the xscale is already determined from the code posted earlier. To put it simply:

if(power == 0) {
     this.gotoAndStop("standing");     //or however you have your animations set-up
}

A problem could arise depending on the variable power's values. For example, what if power does not exactly equal 0 or you decrease power past 0? In both cases you're not going to get the character to go to the standing animation. These are just some issues that commonly arise depending on how you have your code set-up; just a heads up.

At 8/9/09 01:56 PM, Johnny wrote: Multiply it's scale by -1 every time it changes directions from left to right, or right to left.

Some code for clarification:

var scale:Number = this._xscale;

if(Key.isDown(Key.LEFT)) {
     //go to walking animation or what not
     this._xscale = -scale;
}

if(Key.isDown(Key.RIGHT)) {
     //go to walking animation or what not
     this._xscale = scale;
}

What this does is sets the variable scale to the initial xscale of your movieclip (facing right). When you press left you multiply the xscale by 1, as Johnny said, which flips the movieclip (facing left). Pressing right then switches back to the original scale (facing right).

At 8/8/09 06:58 PM, UberCream wrote: I think you have to use "if (Key.isDown(1))"

The key that is "Key 1" is the mouse button.

I've heard that using that method poses problems. A simpler approach would be to have an onMouseDown event that sets some boolean value to true and an onMouseUp event that sets that boolean to false. Then perform that function only if the boolean is true.

var shooting:Boolean = false;

onMouseDown = function() {
     shooting = true;
}

onMouseUp = function() {
     shooting = false;
}

onEnterFrame = function() {
     if(shooting) {
          //do something here
     }
}

A very easy way to do this AND bypass the trig functions would be to use vectors. First thing you would want to do is calculate the differences in x-position and y-position of the red dot and the cursor:

var dx:Number = _root._xmouse - _root.red._x;
var dy:Number = _root._ymouse - _root.red._y;

The numbers above are then the respective x and y components of a vector from the red dot to the cursor. The next step is to normalize the vector. First calculate the magnitude of the vector (the distance formula):

var mag:Number = Math.sqrt((dx * dx) + (dy * dy));

Then you divide each component of your vector by it's magnitude:

var x:Number = dx/mag;
var y:Number = dy/mag;

Now you have a unit vector (a vector with a length of one) that points in the direction of the cursor from the red dot. Now you simply just multiply each component of the direction vector by a speed constant that you set to set the projectiles velocity:

var SPEED_CONST:Number = 5;
var xspeed:Number = x * SPEED_CONST;
var yspeed:Number = y * SPEED_CONST;

And that's all there is to it. For further reading on normalizing vectors go here: Normalizing Vectors

For further reading on vectors in general, check this out: Vectors

Hope this helps you out, and if you have any questions feel free to ask! Good luck

Here's a link to the Flash Develop homepage: Flash Develop

Here is a link to an explanation of how to configure the flex SDK once you've installed Flash Develop: Configuring Flex SDK in Flash Develop Specifically, look at the Actionscript 3 Configuration section.

I've been using it for a couple months now and have really enjoyed the wide variety of features that come with it. Good luck!

There are several ways to search an array for a value:

1) Sequential Search
In a sequential search you just start at the first index in your array and compare its value against the target value you're looking for. If the target is not at that index then you proceed to the next index. You would continue this process until you find your target or until you reach the end of your array. So for example, lets look at a sample involving an array aptly named myArray.

for(var i:Number = 0; i < myArray.length; ++i) {          //loop through each element in the array
     if(myArray[i] == target) {                                           //test if array element is equal to target value
          //do something here
     }
}

2) Binary Search
You can use a binary search, which is oftentimes faster than sequential searching, if your array elements are sorted. A good example of binary search can be found here: Binary Search

The source is given in C++ mind you, but the algorithm can easily be translated into actionscript. Feel free to contact me for further information or any questions.

Happy Birthday, man!

Depth Issue:

replace the 1 in

this.attachMovie("myLittleSweetBox","sam esweetbox",1);

with

_root.getNextHighestDepth()

Adding Properties to the MovieClip

One way to add properties to the movieclip would be to create a class that defines the objects you are attaching. You can find out about writing classes here:

AS: OOP Classes

Then to make the spawning boxes have those properties/methods, go into your Library, right click on the object that you are spawing with attachMovie() and select Properties. Add the name of the class you created into the input box labeled AS Class.

Let me know if you have any questions.

1. Flash MX 2004. Satisfied would be a stretch, but it gets what I need done. I've also used CS3 and CS4 which have really nice interfaces and AS3 capability.

2. Flash MX 2004. Out of the programs I've used, this not necessarily the worst, just underdeveloped. The user interface slows down production a lot; however, this is all I've ever owned and can afford.

Happy Birthday!!

I think it's important to give pseudocode to get the person thinking for themselves rather than relying on someone else to think out a problem for them. I agree it is very rewarding to figure out an individual's code/problem, however, they're not going to learn anything by shoving a heap of code at them. I think pseudocode should be given to solve the problem and links to relevant syntax to encourage the individual to learn, but you should also make yourself available for follow-up questions and general support.

1) Looking for an artist
2) I'm a coder
3) 4+ years of programming experience
Small Game Demo
**Note: WASD/arrow keys to move; very basic with only 3 levels and 2 enemy types
Spring Physics Demo
4) pm
e-mail: animan7.studios@gmail.com
5) working with Firebalt (musician)

There are a couple methods out there now for implementing a high score table into your games:

ArmorBot
Kongregate API

Look at the sticky posts in the Kongregate link, they guide you on how to add their features into your games: high scores, challenges, statistics

"Ask questions and discuss flash techniques with your peers."

This is the opening line underneath the link to the Flash Forums and I think it really describes what should happen in these said forums as compared to what is happening.

In a lot of topics I've seen people ask legitimate questions and instead of helping and encouraging these individuals, their questions are thrown down their throats leaving people discouraged from asking for help here again. Topics should be left as mature discussions allowing anybody to post their input, whether it is right or wrong. From this, even the experienced posters can learn new techniques or ideas that they may not have thought of, and the inexperienced users can learn from constructive criticism. You can't learn from your mistakes if you're too afraid to take risks or discuss topics with other members. If this were true, nothing would ever evolve and get better. The forums should be a large idea pool that anyone can contribute to and also draw from, experienced or not experienced.

1) Looking for a team.
2) Coder, but also an animator
3) 4+ years of programming experience
Game Demo
**Note: WASD/arrow keys to move; very basic with only 3 levels and 2 enemy types
Artwork Example
4) PM or e-mail: animan7.studios@gmail.com
5) Nobody so far.

Hey guys. I'm up for programming or animating. This is a great idea to get new faces into the scene, so hit me up with a pm, or e-mail (animan7.studios@gmail.com)!!!

Here's some tutorials on arrays from AS: Main:

AS: Arrays by Creepy
AS: Arrays by Denvish

At 5/9/09 02:18 PM, WhoknowsmeaUdiO wrote: To be honest, that was... awful. Just random circles moving randomly around shooting at you. Can't se the time-manipulating part.

You're right. I haven't done anything with time-manipulation yet. I just wanted to show a simple example of preliminary work including the explosion combo system. The idea is not concrete yet. That's why there's not much to it.

You reference an element in an array by its index. To reference all of the elements, use a for loop:

var arr:Array = new Array( //array elements);

for(var i:Number = 0; i < array.length; ++i) {
arr[i].doSomething();
}

Notice how the element in the array is referenced: arr[i]
i in this case is the index of the element. An array of length L has indices from 0 to L-1, hence the conditions used in the for loop.

Hope this helps!

Just a few things I forgot in the first post:

WASD keys to move in the demo. Objective is to crash into the enemies.

I'm looking for a somewhat abstract/geometric style. Post here examples of your artwork or concept drawings if you're interested.

Hey guys,

I've had this idea running through my head for a while now about a time-manipulation game (working title Casual Nexus). The game has similar gameplay as Grey-Matter by Bluebaby

However, I thought up with the idea of using time-manipulation "bubbles" of some sort to solve puzzles and eliminate enemies.

I'm looking for an artist to bounce ideas with and work on this game together.

I will program; an really simple example can be seen here: Casual Nexus Demo Just a preliminary engine.

If you're interested post here, pm me, or e-mail me at animan7.studios@gmail.com.

Take it easy Newgrounds!!

Happy Pico Day!!

Check out this great little tidbit from Mike:

Enemy Movement Tip

His news post gives an efficient method for creating smooth enemy movement towards the player by eliminating the use of those hefty math functions. Instead he uses vectors.

**On a side note, you could use the dy and dx variables to calculate the _rotation property of the enemy mc as well!

Let me know if you have any questions.

There are several options for integrating a high score table:

AS: ArmorBot
Kongregate API

For kongregate.com, check out the first couple sticky posts on the linked forum page.