IDE tools for Flash/ActionScript swf creation - actionscript-3

I am not a Flash/ActionScript developer but I need to achieve a very small task in Flash. I need to display user audio input level in Flash. I found that I can do that using ActionScript (according to this).
I have no idea what tools I need to use and generate a SWF file.
Any help highly appreciated.

You can use the Flash Pro IDE (eg Flash CS6), Flash Builder (Adobe), or FlashDevelop. There are also a few more like FDT and IntelliJ.
If this is a quick and dirty no/low budget scenario for you, I would recommend FlashDevelop.
If speed is of the utmost importance and you don't have time to learn, then Flash Pro CS~ would be a good bet.
If you're an experienced coder and will be using the tool a fair bit, Flash Builder (as a commercial product) is a good bet. Though FlashDevelop is also a good open source alternative to Flash Builder.
They all have tutorials on their websites on how to get your environment setup and start creating swfs.
http://www.flashdevelop.org/
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash-builder.html
http://www.adobe.com/products/flash.html
http://fdt.powerflasher.com/
http://www.jetbrains.com/idea/

Related

Is there any way to run two instances of flash professional debug

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.

ActionScript 3 IDE which provides tools on Graphical Interface as well as Code

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.

How do I incorporate both actionscripts and flash animation into a flash builder project

I am planning on making a casual educational game and was looking to do that on the flash platform for broad exposure. I am wondering what are some guidelines to determine if it is warranted to create the project purely in flash or puruse a combined Flash/Flash builder project?
How can I include all my graphics and animation files as well as my AS classes into a builder project? Does it even make sense to do that. I read that creating UIs and connecting things is simpler in Flash builder and I plan to have some interaction with the client and central server where some basic data wouold be stored? Is this a good candidate for a combined flash/flash builder approach?
Also I want this to be launched on mobile and desktop platforms if that makes a difference
Thanks in advance...
You can export all assets, made in Flash IDE to .swc file, and then attach this file to FlashBuilder Project using "ProjectProperties"->"Actionscript Build Path"->"Add SWC..." dialog. After-that you'll be able to create instances of the animated symbols within Flash Builder.

Is there any alternative for Source Mate tool in Flash Builder?

So I recently discovered this Source Mate tool for Flash builder with all the cool stuff like code fixes, hinting, code completing etc., but I was wondering if there is any free alternative for this tool? Cause I don't think that paying for such tool is worth it when we need to pay a huge money for the Flash Builder Eclipse copy itself..
Should I just go with Flash Develop?
You're not forced to buy Flash Builder, Adobe is decent enough to give the Flex SDK away for free, so you can use FlashDevelop or FDT (latter not being that cheap either though, but comparable to SourceMate with the difference that it's a complete IDE).

Flash ActionScript 3.0 - Any free compiler, tools and tutorials?

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 ;)