AS3 - how to do eval() the right way

In AS2 we used to be able to refer to an instance name of an object by coding:

///AS2.0\\\
eval("my_mc"+i);

This would allow you to create and/or refer to instance names using a string. I have heard quite a bit of negativity about eval() but it did come in handy at times. In AS2, you could also use:

///AS2.0\\\
_root["my_mc"+i];

which worked well for me when pushing items to an array, before AS3 was available.

Now, the correct AS3 way to do it is either this:

///AS3.0\\\
this["my_mc" + i];

or:

///AS3.0\\\
this.getChildByName("my_mc" + i);

I would recommend the second way of doing it, because to me it just makes more sense.

Updated

Just updated to the new version of Wordpress - One thing I noticed is that I had a flash folder in the wp-admin folder that I had to recopy over after the upgrade.  I guess I should probably relocate that folder.  Otherwise it was an easy upgrade!

Thanks wordpress!

Biking… what more can I say

This is an ongoing list of the rides I’ve been on, I will probably enhance this a bit in the future.

April 5, 2008 - http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/wi/sussex/894990639

April 20, 2008 - http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/wi/sussex/894990639
the same as 4/5 but reversed

May 10, 2008 - http://www.mapmyride.com/ride/united-states/wi/sussex/111907771228

create chapters in an FLV like a DVD

Since flash doesn’t have anything built into it for setting chapters or in and out points in an flv, I thought I would take it upon myself to figure it out.

Here is what I came up with:

1. Add an instance of the FLVPlayback component to your stage and give it an instance name of “flv” - catchy, hey?

2. add the following actionscript to the first frame of your timeline

var listenerObject:Object = new Object();
var curTime;
function playChapter (startSecond:Number, endSecond:Number) {
listenerObject.playheadUpdate = function (eventObject:Object):Void {
curTime = flv.playheadTime;
trace(curTime);
if (curTime>=endSecond) {
flv.pause();
}
}
flv.seekSeconds(startSecond);
flv.play();
}
flv.addEventListener("playheadUpdate",listenerObject);

3. link the instance of your FLVPlayback component to an flv of your choice.

4. create chapter buttons on the stage

5. place this code on the buttons

on(release){
playChapter(2,5); //change these numbers to your start time and stop time, in seconds
}

**Note** Make sure you encode your FLV with at least a keyframe every 1 second otherwise you won’t be able to start and stop at the correct times.  For this example I have it keyframe every 15 frames, cause the video plays 15fps.

Good Luck!