Where are my display objects?

Before, the Stage class in AS2 is treated as a class whose properties are all static, but with AS3 the new and better Stage class is now a display object. Both making the stage class the main drawing area and where flash content is shown. Basically, just think of it as a practical stage, all actors and props are all objects on display and those who are backstage are objects which are simply not included in the stage yet.

The Stage is a singleton class whereas there can only be one instance of it (imagine watching a play where there are 2 or more stages, its just impossible). Even if you add multiple instances of display objects to the display list, the stage property of each display object still refers to the same Stage object (that goes for loaded SWF files too).

Did you know that the stage is not globally accessible – you can’t call it or reference it from anywhere (unless manually referenced in a variable of course). The simplest way to do so is to use the stage property from any of your display objects which were added to the display list.

Yes, you heard it right from “any” display object, but take note, only if it is already added to the display list. It doesn’t matter if your display object is a child of another display object or how far the display heirarchy it is, as long as it is included in the display list.

Don’t confuse yourself with “Stage” (with capital “S”) and “stage” (with small caps). “Stage” refers to the class flash.display.Stage and “stage” is it’s instance.

Just remember, from a common coding convention: classes begin with capital letters and variables don’t.

If the display object is removed or not yet added from the display list the stage property is just set to null.

[ Read more... ]

Cel-Shading

As most of the games I’ve designed so far, it has come to me that I finally have my favorite and primary drawing style. I’m not a fantastic nor a pure talent but I believe I don’t completely lack the skills needed for me to draw my own art. And so I’ve been comfortable with drawing in 2d cartoons then shading them properly to add life – and so, cel-shading.

I first discovered my quirky drawing skills back when I was in grade school but soon after I just lost interest and my drawing did not improve by then. But during flash development, the need was called forth again, “Learn to draw!!”. From my previous games until now the progress of digital art is noticeable should I say.

Cel shading or toon shading has been a traditional drawing style, which expresses the hand drawn style of comics and cartoons. The term came from painted cels from clear sheets of acetate which was used for traditional 2D animations.
[ Read more... ]

Jill

It will be almost 4 months since the release of the ever Meez game Stomp Tomato. And after garnering quite a handful number of plays from all over, there can only one who will get to be the Most Played Character for the game. Some players have commented that one is better, one jumps higher or one smashes more, well code-wise they’re all equal. But at some point maybe its a psychological effect when playing a certain character, like how can you do well if your character does not look good enough for you or heck the like.

Anyway the stats have rolled in and the people have voted (well not actually vote, just chose whom to play) who they like the most to use as their character when jumping over tomatoes. And the winner is no other than our lady Jill. So for those you chose to use her character, then lucky you choosing her. [ Read more... ]

Flash tools

Starting of the Arts n Visuals category, I’ll present you a classic traditional animation technique yet very useful even now, especially for 2D animations, Squash and Stretch. Seeing an abundant genre of flash games concerning with balls especially bouncing balls, the Squash and Stretch technique might serve some help for those who wish to make more bouncing ball games.

Squash and Stretch is a traditional animation technique that is famously used by 2D animators and cartoon designers although not quite practical for 3D animators. It can give your object some realism and weight into it. When a moving object collides into a stationary object, it will deform on impact. Remember that no matter how much an object deforms from squashes and stretches is that it will always have the same volume. Also, the deformity would rather depend on the object’s rigidness and flexibility, so a rubber ball is most likely to deform more than a golf ball upon impact. [ Read more... ]