cannot getChildByName starling stage - actionscript-3

I am trying to get a reference to an object that is placed on starling stage named "_shooterHero" from an external class which is "bullet".
I have tried using getChildByName with:
starling.core.stage and starling.current.nativeStage, but without any luck
The code right now:
var hero= Starling.current.stage.getChildByName("_shooterHero");
trace (hero.name)

There are a few ways to solve your problem:
Make hero publicly accessible. When you create a new hero (wherever that is) you can also add public getter/setter methods to allow your external class to access it.
Create a "model" class that can be referenced by the singleton getInstance() pattern. Then proceed as in (1).
Are you sure the sprite has been added to the stage? You can check this by doing Starling.current.stage.getChildByName(hero); although for this would need to have access to the hero variable.

Related

Actionscript 3 getDefinitionByName not seeing classes

I've worked around this with a hack for now, but would rather know if there's a right way to do it. I have a function that churns out MovieClips, which are tiles for a map that I then attach to the stage. It determines which class of tile to use based on a string variable, like this:
// symbolID holds our class name, determined by logic above
var newClass:Class = getDefinitionByName(symbolID) as Class;
var newtile:MovieClip = new newClass();
This works, but only if an instance of the class already exists somewhere else in the code. It could be anywhere-- in the document class, in some buried function of a helper class, it doesn't seem to matter. If not, Flashdevelop throws error 1065, "Variable (the variable) is not defined". I mention that I'm using Flashdevelop because it seems like it might be compiler-specific, but I'm not sure.
My hack fix is to do this:
var a:baseTile;
a as anotherTile;
a as aThirdTile;
and so on, which works, but definitely isn't ideal if I'm going to have hundreds of these tile classes eventually.
Edit: I should add that these movieclips are coming from a .swc file, which comes from Flash Professional.
You have to use the 'hack'.
getDefinitionByName() can only work with classes that exist at runtime. Unfortunately, if you don't make use of a class, it won't be compiled and won't exist at runtime.
Library symbols make getting around this a little easier. If you check the box that has them available automatically at a given frame, you can just make sure your getDefinitionByName() calls are done during or after that frame.
While SWC libraries can include specific classes to include in the build path, Flash compiler will not link unreferenced classes to a SWF; therefore, requires a linkage library.
Example linkage to retain classes:
/** linkage library */
private static const classA:ClassA;
private static const classB:ClassB;
private static const classC:ClassC;
Another option would be to load the classes from a RSL (Runtime Shared Library).
Basically yes, you need to have a strict reference of that class somewhere in your code. You can even make that reference "unreferenced" elsewhere. I have a hundred of classes like this, and I had to make a single Array of these classes, located somewhere inside the project. I have placed it aside the function that calls getDefinitionByName() to make sure the classes are available in that function.
private static const dummy:Array=[Rock01, Rock02,...,Gem01,Gem02,...];
So you can use such an Array listing all your tiles that you have in your project and want to be accessible by getDefinitionByName().

Actionscript 3: Adding a MovieClip (from library but not on stage) to a Sprite declared within a seperate class

What I am trying to do is add a MovieClip which I have created, but deleted from the actual stage itself, from a seperate class to a sprite which I declare in the document class.
The link between the main document class and the others works fine, as well as references to the stage, from the class in question.
It is only one line of the function which is giving me the error: Type was not found, or is not compile-time constant:SequenceA
I have already tried changing the settings for 'Export for Actionscript' in the library properties and still get the same message every time.
Pretty lost with this one so any help is appreciated. Cheers!
What have you set as the "Class" in your Export for ActionScript settings? It looks like you're trying to refer to an instance rather than the class itself. For example, mc is an instance of the MovieClip Class.
Assuming you've chosen the Class "SequenceA", you would do this instead:
var seqA:SequenceA = new SequenceA();
There's a little bit more detail about objects and classes here.

AS3 - how to call a function in the main timeline from a class in a .as file

I have some functions defined at the main timeline, and I need to call them from a class, how can I do this?
I've tried
object(parent).function();
and
object(root).function();
but didn't worked
those functions need to be on the main timeline because they removeChild() of the class
Is your class trying to call the function on the main timeline created inside that timeline ? If so you can store the timeline object and call it. Also stage object might work. Give more details please.
Are you after MovieClip(root).function() ?
Note that the object you're trying to access root from needs to be on the DisplayList for this to work.

In flash with as3.0, I have to call a function on the main stage from a movieClip

I have to call a function that is defined on the main stage of my project, and I have to call it from a MovieClip, what can I do?
I'm using flash cs5.5 and AS3.0
There are multiple ways to access the MainTimeline from objects on the stage. Probably the most reliable is 'root', but there is also 'parent' (but only if you MovieClip is a direct child of the main timeline).
// root should always work
Object(root).myFunc();
// parent will only work if your movieclip is a direct child of the main timeline
Object(parent).myFunc();
Note that you have to cast these are generic Objects (or MovieClip would work) because they return typed classes that don't have a 'myFunc' function in them.
You'll need this code on your main timeline:
function myFunc():void {
trace("My function got called!");
}
When I read your question it sounds as though you have a function defined in an action frame of your main timeline.
My answer may be out of reach for your current project, and ToddBFisher's answer is perfectly right. That said - I'm going to answer the question differently.
Instead of defining a function on the main timeline, set up a document class, define your functions there, and access the class's functions in your code. Keep as much code off your timelines as possible.
Downloadable files for Document Class example: http://www.isgoodstuff.com/2008/06/06/actionscript-30-documentclass-in-plain-english/
Setting up an AS3 class: http://www.adobe.com/devnet/flash/quickstart/creating_class_as3.html
Assuming your movie clip is a direct child of your main stage, in you movie clip you can do:
MovieClip(parent).theFunctionToCall();
if your MovieClip has a class, just add it to your main class using like:
var m:MovieClip = new MovieClip();
**addChild(m);
then you can get access into it's public function like typing:
m."functon name";

Explanation of Base Class (Flash) and inheritance

I have a MovieClip called PopUp where I wrote some code.
I need to make another MovieClip that uses pretty much the same code...can I just use the PopUp class as the base class for my other MovieClip?
They look different but they have the same instances on the stage and stuff.
You can just create a new class called PopUpBase, and let your new MC's extend that class. Generally changing the base class in the IDE can cause some problems, so it's best practice not to, but to create classes (and .as files) for each MC that needs code.
Depending on what you're doing with this, it might be okay just to change the base classes to PopUpBase (in the IDE) :)