Actionscript 3: Rotate multiple shapes around internal point - actionscript-3

Question

I'm having trouble with AS3 which I have to use for a little research project of mine.
The AS3 project would create a number of randomly placed squares which all would rotate around its center point.
I managed to figure out how to rotate it internally using this handy walkthrough.
However I am having trouble applying this method to all squares which were created in a for loop with randomly selected stage points. Only the first created will rotate
Here is the code in question:-
for(var i=0; i<10; i++)
{
var square:Shape = new Shape();
this.addChild(square);
var posX = Math.floor(Math.random() * stage.stageWidth) + 50;
var posY = Math.floor(Math.random() * stage.stageHeight) + 50;
square.x=posX;
square.y=posY;
var curSquareAng:Number=0;
var squareRotCenter:Point=new Point(0,0);
drawShapes();
var squareMat:Matrix=square.transform.matrix.clone();
}
this.addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, onEnter);
function onEnter(e:Event):void {
curSquareAng = (curSquareAng+2)%360;
rotateSquare(curSquareAng);
}
function rotateSquare(deg:Number):void {
var mat:Matrix= squareMat.clone();
MatrixTransformer.rotateAroundInternalPoint(mat,squareRotCenter.x, squareRotCenter.y, deg);
square.transform.matrix = mat;
}
I realize I likely have to create an array for each of the squares initial center points and loop through them. However I am completely lost on how to do so. As you can likely tell I am unfamiliar with AS3 and would much appreciate any help you can give this beginner programmer. :P

Answer 1

You need to create your own class based on a shape, then you stuff it full of properties that represent rotation center point, current angle and whatever else you'd want your squares to contain, then give the class update method which will do what you wrote in onEnter function for itself only. Then you will have easier control over what your squares are able to do. This technique is called "encapsulation".
On a side note, if you're wanting your square to rotate around internal point of (0,0), you can set their rotation property to achieve the desired effect. For other points, the walkthrough or its equivalent should be used.
public class Square extends Shape {
public var rotationCenter:Point=new Point();
private var currentAngle:Number=0;
public var rotationSpeed:Number=2; // degrees per frame
private var baseMatrix:Matrix;
public function Square() {
// draw the shape on "this.graphics"
this.graphics.beginFill(0xffff00,1);
this.graphics.moveTo(-20,-20);
this.graphics.lineTo(20,-20);
this.graphics.lineTo(20,20);
this.graphics.lineTo(20,-20);
this.graphics.lineTo(-20,-20);
this.graphics.endFill();
// if not set in declaration, set internal vars
baseMatrix=this.transform.matrix; // likely identity matrix, but let's initialize anyway
}
public function storeMatrix():void {
// you are positioning a square after you create it, so probably you want its new location to be transformed
// that one's matrix will no longer be an identity, so go capture
baseMatrix=this.transform.matrix;
}
public function update():void {
// should be called once per frame
currentAngle=(currentAngle+rotationSpeed)%360;
var mat:Matrix= baseMatrix.clone();
MatrixTransformer.rotateAroundInternalPoint(mat,rotationCenter.x, rotationCenter.y, currentAngle);
this.transform.matrix = mat;
}
}
Now, you will have to maintain an array of squares to make them rotate separately:
var squares:Array=[];
for (var i:int=0;i<10;i++) {
var square:Square=new Square();
var posX = Math.floor(Math.random() * stage.stageWidth) + 50;
var posY = Math.floor(Math.random() * stage.stageHeight) + 50;
square.x=posX;
square.y=posY;
// after you position, give it a rotation point
square.rotationCenter.x=Math.random()*40-20;
square.rotationCenter.y=Math.random()*40-20; // -20 to 20, should do for this example
// now fix the position so your square will know that it should rotate
// its *current* transform matrix
square.storeMatrix();
// even if it's actually unchanged by changing X or Y
// also, should you desire to scale some square, you should do that prior to calling this
// now add the square to an array
squares.push(square);
}
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,onEnter);
function onEnter(e:Event):void {
for (var i:int=0;i<squares.length;i++) squares[i].update();
// simple, isn't it? Each square will know what to do.
}

Answer 2

Nevermind. Thank you Vesper for putting me on the right track I've managed to solve my problem thanks to your input (not necessarily through your way but your input helped me get to the destination per say).
I think I was making it a little too complicated going though the matrix route and instead used a shape array to loop through the squares and add rotation. The solution I came to is a little simple but gets the job done.
public var rotationSpeed:Number=2; // degrees per frame
public var square:Array = new Array( );
public function Square() {
for (var i:int=0;i<10;i++) {
square[i] = new Shape();
var posX = Math.floor(Math.random() * stage.stageWidth) + 50;
var posY = Math.floor(Math.random() * stage.stageHeight) + 50;
square[i].graphics.lineStyle();
var rgb = Math.random() * 0xFFFFFF;
square[i].graphics.beginFill(rgb);
// -50 determines where the spin will center from.
square[i].graphics.drawRect(-50,-50,100,100);
square[i].graphics.endFill();
square[i].x = posX;
square[i].y = posY;
addChild(square[i]);
}
addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME,onEnter);
}
private function onEnter(e:Event):void {
for (var i:int=0; i < square.length; i++) {
getChildAt(i).rotation += rotationSpeed;
}
}