AS3
From FlashDevelop
Contents |
Tools
Choosing a compiler
To build ActionScript 3 projects in FlashDevelop, you must first make sure that you have a compiler. Currently, there are two ActionScript 3 compilers to choose from:
- Adobe Flash, version CS3 or greater
When you choose to use Adobe Flash IDE, FlashDevelop will request Flash to compile the currently open FLA.
- Adobe Flex SDK (free), version 3 or greater
Using the Flex SDK, FlashDevelop can compile both Flex MXML and "pure" ActionScript 3 (note: you can still use Adobe Flash to create graphics).
Tip - do not confuse:
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Because both approaches have their advantages, most developers choose to alternate between them depending upon the project.
Installing Adobe Flash
Adobe Flash is licensed software, so you may first need to purchase a copy through Adobe or a software reseller. There is also a trial version if you would like to try Flash for 30 days (which is recommended if you are discovering Flash).
Adobe Flash Professional is the preferred tool to create graphic elements for Flash projects, even if you compile with the Flex SDK!
Installing the Flex SDK
Before installing the Flex SDK, make sure that you have version 1.6 or greater of the Java runtime installed. The Adobe Flex SDK is free and open-source, so there are no costs involved with using this method. We recommend that you download the latest milestone release, then extract it to a folder location you can remember.
Configuring FlashDevelop to use the Flex SDK
- Open FlashDevelop and go to Tools > Program Settings or press F10
- Select the AS3Context plug-in and find the setting called Flex SDK Location
- Press the ellipses button to browse for the folder where you extracted the Flex SDK
Troubleshooting problems using the Flex SDK
If you see the term "INITIALIZING ?" when you try to compile a project, you have a configuration problem.
- Make sure that you are using a 32-bit Java runtime, and that it is version 1.6 or newer.
- Try removing any older installed versions of Java, or configure the path in "jvm.config" of the Flex SDK bin directory to match where you have Java installed.
- Sometimes a "clean" machine may be missing a required system file. Download msvcr71.dll and place it in your Windows system32 directory.
Tracing/debugging
How to configure & troubleshoot tracing/debugging:
Workflows
Compile using Flash
- Use Flash to create graphics and to embed resources such as sounds and fonts
- Use FlashDevelop to write ActionScript classes
- Use Flash to associate your resources with a document class or with linkage classes
- Use Flash to compile your project
Compile using the Flex SDK and create assets using Flash
- Use Flash to create graphics and to embed resources such as sounds and fonts
- Use Flash to publish an SWC library file
- Add the SWC as a library in your FlashDevelop project
- Use FlashDevelop to compile your project using the Flex SDK
See: Flex SDK and Flash workflow tutorial
Compile using the Flex SDK
- Add resources such as graphics, sounds and fonts to your FlashDevelop project
- Use FlashDevelop to write ActionScript classes
- Use embed tags in your ActionScript to include assets
- Use FlashDevelop to compile your project using the Flex SDK
See: Flex SDK workflow tutorial
See also
- QuickBuild: if you have one or no project and need to compile several SWFs.
- AS3 Conditional Compilation : Usage and default values
