This is my first post on Stack Overflow.
Are there any IDE's for ActionScript 3 which can provide the following:
-Graphical Interface for drawing
-Writing code with good debugging, dynamic feedback, refactoring etc
I have recently rekindled programming flash games in ActionScript 3 and am using Flash CS3
as it provides means of drawing my graphical objects and writing the code.
I have noticed that:
1. Debugging is not particualr great
2. No dynamic feedback whilst programming (suggestion or auto populate)
3. No refactoring etc
I have looked into other IDEs such as Flex Builder and even looked at plugins for my favorite
IDE's such as Eclipse and IntilliJ but have not found my answer. They tend to talk heavuly about
how they provide good coding tools but not much, if any, tools on the graphical side of things.
It would also be ideal for me if what ever IDE I use I am still able to migrate the entire project
so that it can still be opened usign CS3. Additionally, I am a Windows user.
At the moment I am contemplating drawing my sprites in CS3 and doing the code in another but
surely there must be an easier, perhaps more sensable approach?
Many thanks in advance for any help.
No, there is no IDE like that, and given the decreasing popularity of Flash it's unlikely that something like that will ever be developed.
The coding environment has improved quite a bit in newer versions of Flash Pro, but it still doesn't approach anything like Flash Builder or FlashDevelop. It's not uncommon for people to create graphics in Flash Pro and do coding in another editor.
This is easy. FlashDevelop for code. Flash IDE for graphics. You may want to graduate to CS5.5 or CS6 (if you can find a copy)if you want to go mobile. Otherwise CC.
Related
After already searching the site for the answer to the question, I've found this:
Is it any way to run two instances of debuggers?
I need the Flash Professional CS5.5 version of the answer to this question.
Basically - I need to know if there's a way to debug 2 different .fla files in Adobe Flash Professional CS5.5 at the same time. One of them implements the Adobe AIR framework (for using the SocketServer class), the other is a standard AS3 project. It'd be nice if I could debug the client-server interaction easily using the IDE rather than using extensive means to do so.
Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.
This is not an answer to your question but a suggestion to take a different approach.
The Flash IDE and it's debugger are inadequate but for most trivial programs. Variable inspection and breakpoints work randomly and it's next to impossible to drill down into more complex objects. Flash IDE is all right for creating the visual resources for Flash programs but for any serious coding, it just falls on its face. The compiler included with the Flash IDE is also very poorly written and generates unoptimized code.
I'd suggest to switch over to using FlashDevelop - it's a free, open source IDE that runs on top of the Flex and Air SDKs and uses a better compiler that performs more optimizations. (You can mark functions for inlining, etc.) The debugger - while not Visual Studio - is much, much better than the IDE: breakpoints work and object properties can be inspected easily.
Because FlashDevelop is geared towards coding, you can create a project in it with multiple source files, define your resources and then compile to multiple platforms. Compilation is usually fast with hundreds of source files (don't import every type in every package) and you can do debug/release builds. If you can port your code from Flash to FlashDevelop, you'll have a much easier time managing your project.
I would like to know if you have ideas about the LIMITATION of AS2.0? I've done some research about the difference of AS2.0 and AS3.0 but I need to have a clear understanding about the limitation of AS2.0 in order for me to confirm that AS3.0 is superior than its predecessor before I continue my study in AS3.0. Thank you.
I used to develop games in ActionScript 2. I was very resistant to ActionScript 3 when it came out - I didn't even touch it until about 2 years after it was released.
When I finally did make the effort to learn it, I became frustrated with myself for not learning it sooner. It was so much cleaner and more powerful. I was able to create actual libraries for future projects as I worked, and download libraries for things that I didn't have the brain to develop myself, like physics.
It is extremely beneficial for you to learn ActionScript 3 - first off, lets look at what's happening with the two:
AS2 is being removed from future releases of Flash.
AS3 is still being worked on. A noteworthy example of this is the recently developed Stage3D API, which grants extremely efficient rendering for Flash.
Here are some core advantages of AS3 vs AS2:
It's object oriented. This is almost mandatory when working with large applications or games.
Because of this, there are hundreds of libraries available for AS3 that cover things like physics, particles, animation, MVC concepts, rendering improvements, etc.
Much nicer to use.
Easier to extend your knowledge once you get a grasp of the basics of object oriented programming.
It performs a lot better.
Easier to recycle code for future projects.
Learning ActionScript 3 will greatly improve your chances of being able to pick up additional popular languages like C#, Java, PHP and so on.
Much easier to find support - take a look at the quality of answers on Stack Overflow between AS2 and AS3.
You can create AIR applications, which can be built for iOS and Android devices.
The only reason you need to care about is that it's an obsolete language. Don't waste your time with AS2. There's a quantum leap from AS2 to AS3, not only in terms of what you can do, but in terms of the quality of the language itself.
As someone who made the transition in 2007 to AS3 (after using AS2 since 2000) here are the main advantages:
Speed. When it was released, AS3 was 10 times faster than AS2. Today considering all the new features Adobe is introducing like Native Extensions, it's a lot faster than that.
Publishing to mobile or dekstop apps. Face it: browser Flash is slowly dying.
New features such as Stage3d or StageVideo.
Learning AS3 will make you a better coder
AS2 is no longer supported in Flash Professional, so if Flash Pro is part of your design cycle or you ever want it to be, that's obviously a big limitation. (Adobe has said that the Flash Player will continue to support AS2, though, so if you don't use Flash Pro to develop you can still get by).
In terms of functions/behaviors that exist in AS3 but not AS2, Stage3D is one. I'll leave it to someone else to make a list, but basically, AS3 is the better (and definitely faster) choice for any situation I can think of.
Hey guys! I'm just a student who's looking into building about 1 or 2 flash files that would need both the movie-making and actionscripting capabilities of Adobe Flash Professional. Problem is it costs $120, and that's a huge burden to me!
I've did some research and found a few free or open source programs, but they are either:
a) For making animations ONLY
b) For writing Actionscript 3 ONLY
So here's my questions:
1) Is there any way I can make a flash movie using a program from a), and then inserting AS3 into it using a program from b)?
2) Or are there any free programs that are similar to Adobe Flash Professional?
THANKS!
Unfortunately, this is as good as it gets:
http://www.sapphiresteel.com/Adobe-Flex-Development-in-Visual
They have a free version and a paid version. The paid version is several hundred dollars less than flash professional or flash builder. There are plenty of other tools out there but other than this, no real feature-complete IDE that supports both visual design and coding. Well, there is the design view plugin for flashdevelop, but it's buggy at best:
http://designview.sourceforge.net/#
(Search Flex Design View)
http://www.flashdevelop.org/wikidocs/index.php?title=3rd_Party_Plugins
http://www.flashdevelop.org/community/viewtopic.php?t=2934
http://www.steamed-design.com/2009/07/free-flex-ide.html
And that is pretty much what you're lookin at. There may be some stuff of interest in these posts, but no real solution:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_for_Linux
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/974078/alternatives-of-flex-builder
I have got an assignment in which I have to implement a AS3 wrapper for any FLV player and I have to expose actionscript functions (External Interfaces?) so that other can be used in other different applications via CallFunction API. I have few questions regarding this -
Are the tools for this are freely available? I know Flex SDK is but I want standalone swf (I means Flash Player 10) that can be used anywhere without any dependency and should contain FLV player embedded or should be able to load it from a particular location by supplying the URL.
Is it possible only with an ActionScript compiler (or any free tools?). My problem is that I don't have flash or flex builder and I don't want to spend money on these because I don't work on it.
As I have almost zero knowledge about it. Can you guys please explain me (if possible with details) that what I need to do. Any resoures on how to create and compile?
If any of you have ever done this it would be really great if you guys can share samples. I've heard that many people have done the same thing for video players.
I can share a bit of my setup
I use Flash (CS5) for creating assets
I use FlexSDK as the compiler
And do all the code in FlashDevelop
Flashdevelop is for PC only for now, it's free and comes since the last few versions now with a debugger
I use FlexSDK to compile and Eclipse with AS IDE or something along those lines, and then preview things in a web browser using an html page with the swf file embedded.
check out projectsprouts. its a pretty nice Flash (as2/3/Flex/AIR) generation tool that can help you stub out your project, compile it, and even create unit tests if you want. pretty simple ruby install (i am a ruby newb, and got is running pretty easily). It was a pretty good support base, and an active mailing list where people will be happy to help you along.
It is important to note that the FlexSDK has very little to do with Flex unless you are linking against classes that are Flex specific. mxmlc does not have anything to do with MXML even though it will also compile MXML.
Here is an article that describes Flash development on Linux. It is pretty old, but the principles are the same. With an Actionscript 3 Compiler (contained in the FlexSDK) and a text editor, you are off to the races. It is a lot easier with Flash Builder 4, FDT 4, Intellij IDEA, Flash Develop, etc ;)
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I am currently using FlashDevelop for my Actionscript3 development. I have also tried my hand with using Flex3 for my Actionscript3 development. I was curious if FDT was superior to the former and that if it's cost out-weighs it's usefulness. Are there any other applications out there to help streamline the process?
Yeah by far the best IDE is eclipse with either fdt or flex builder installed (flex builder is just a packaged version of eclipse). The biggest problem with FlashDevelop is it's lack of debugging tools. If you get into eclipse, and teach yourself how to properly debug an application it can save you SOOO much time.
As for flex builder or fdt that's entirely up to you. The one big benefit fdt has is that it still supports AS2 development. FDT also has a lot of other nice features like code templating.
I have both but i mainly stick to flex builder for my flash work as for me i like the way i can use it for both flash and flex work and can easily switch between the two with minimum effort. If i had to do work in as2 again (god forbid) i'd definitely wouldn't heistate to switch back into the fdt environment.
FlashDevelop is a very good IDE for AS3 development. Haven't tried FDT, but tried Flexbuilder. I can say that it's much better for pure AS3 development (no mxml stuff).
and it's free.
flex builder because
you can debug
you can use the profiler you can real dig in to the player memory
fix memory leak
eclipse can do so much for you with tone of plug ins
- mylyn connect your data base bugs to your IDE and much more link svn commit to a task
- subeclipse plugin for SVN
I have to expand euge1979's answer.
The Flex SDK (including framework, compiler, etc) is forked into a free Adobe owned Version and an open source version. Either way, you can compile SWFs for free.
The Flex Builder is NOT free. You have a 30 days trial.
A good thing to note is that FDT in the next version (from 3.1 to 3.2) will be able to handle mxml, thus making it equal to Flex Builder in terms of features. I really love some of the FDT features that makes common tasks easy - like formatting or creating functions, objects & etc.
Right now - stick with Flex Builder.
PS: Flex Builder is built upon Eclipse but it messes it all up. I experienced a lot of problems with FB as plugin and if I installed plugins into FB. And all the power vanished if I can't use it as plugin or install others into the eclipse.
My favorite environment right now is: Aptana Studio + FDT + PyDev + PHPDev
Just started looking into the AS3-only programming, always looking for opensource tools, so flashdevelop were the first choice.
Not having any breakpoint features is not viable when developing applications. Even though its a upcoming feature I am sticking with flexbuilder until its implemented in flasdevelop.
I used to use FDT for a lot of FLASH coding (not Flex) but I find Flex builder to be on par. The main thing i feel FlexBuilder needs is good refactoring. Moving from a java project to flex, and then wanting to refactor things is a pain. There is some, but it just needs to be on the same level as Java in eclipse.
From memory, FDT may have had better refactoring support.
Flex builder also has better style sheet support etc. I don't know if one is better, they are a bit different. In truth I find flex builder to be good enough (and if the next version just makes a few improvements) that I don't miss FDT.
If you do any AS2, FDT is great. It even gives proper compile time errors (versus flash ide). I am a few builds old now for FDT (i have 3.1, but not latest). Actually FDT's error checking and general AS2/3 parser is BETTER.
It all comes down to personal taste, but I actually prefer FlashDevelop to FDT and FB. And being free doesn't hurt!
Jetbrains IntelliJ coupled with something else (FlexBuilder or FlashDevelop)
It's refactoring tools alone are indespensible. Syntax improvements over FlexBuilder.
Cons:
it is a slower IDE (9.02) but I'll gladly put up with that for all the added functionality.
I'm mainly using FDT for the same reasons as above + I'm not on Windows.
I just wanted to add that the FlashDevelop is a very generous contribution to the flash open source community (a big thanks to Philippe and Mika) featuring a long list of nice tools.
Actually I'm still missing the "intelligent auto-completition" tool which is far better than FDT/FB, Haxe is supported, you can browse swf content from the project explorer, project templates are easily created, and so on...
Another point to consider is that FlashDevelop is literally 100 times lighter than FDT (3.7M against 297M).
You should give the FDTs or FBs 30-days-trial a go. But if you're happy with FlashDevelop it can be worth saving the money (IMO, FDT is overpriced) and support open source.
The FD team is currently working on the debugger and profiling tools so with some help it will get there ;)
I haven't used Flash Develop or FDT, although I hear FDT runs much slower than Flex Builder. I used to be a Flash Programmer and I used the Flash IDE..I switched to Flex Builder and I love it.
FYI for anyone not aware: Flex Builder can be had for free if you're a student or teacher. And I am pretty sure there is no longer a 'can't be used for commercial application' restriction.
There's also AXDT open-source alternative to FDT/Flash Builder. It's not as good, but it delivers nicely esp. for those just starting on Flash Platform and not willing to spend considerably on developer tools.
See AXDT: open-source cross-platform alternative for Flash development for more.
I still prefer the normal Flash IDE (currently CS5). I work very closely with the art work provided for my projects though.
I use SVN to back my work.
In my experience with Flex Builder (now Flash Builder) or perhaps Eclipse as a whole. There are many temporary files made, some times to the point that it was confusing which folder to look in... and SVN was often obstructed by this automated pile of files.
also Flex Builder projects for teams, didn't seem to keep their settings across SVN, for all users.
either way i like Flash because its a little simpler, but i usually work on smaller projects that don't need the fancy stuff.
In comparison to Flash Develop, Flex builder which is now called Flash Builder, is the best IDE because it comes with more powerful features:
1) Debugging is easy.
2) Supporting iOS,android, and blackberry application creation.
3) Our application connect with xml,dataset and api's.
4) Syntax generation Improved.
4) Drag and Drop components on stage and code is generated at the same time for that component in mxml file.
5) Its also support PHP coding and also a new framework launched separately for PHP.
6) Remoting can be done as AS3 remoting in flash.