Flash 8 released

[w.brants]

MacroMedia released flash 8 yesterday. For KoolMoves 5.0 users this means you now can use most of the new flash 8 ActionScript classes. KoolMoves hasn't got flash 8 syntax highlightning / recognition yet so don't forget to set flash 8 export manually if you are trying out the new classes.

Download link to the new flash 8 player
www.macromedia.com/software/flashplayer/

Flash 8 ActionScript 2.0 language reference
http://download.macromedia.com/pub/documentation/en/flash/fl8/fl8_as2lr.zip
It's a 5.7MB zipped pdf file. It gives a good description of all parameters for the functions of the new classes. Don't try the examples in KM since they are written in ActionScript 2.0 .

[pherbrick]

It's been a while since anyone has posted a hardware related performance issue, but just to be on the safe side, here are the minimum performance requirements:

Windows: 450 MHz Intel Pentium II processor (or equivalent) and later, 128MB RAM

Macintosh: 500 MHz PowerPC G3 and later, 128MB RAM
Supported operating system/browser version configurations located here:
http://www.macromedia.com/software/flashplayer/productinfo/systemreqs/

[Bob Hartzell]

That flash 8 download link is for Netscape, Opera, etc. Is that plugin for Internet Explorer also or is there another link somewhere else which I could not find?

[pherbrick]

Wilbert's link worked for me - clicking on the download now button directed me to the Flash 8 download page for IE and AOL browsers:

http://www.macromedia.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash

[Bob Hartzell]

Maybe it depends on what browser you use going into the link.

[blanius]

Maybe it depends on what browser you use going into the link.

It does I just tried it with each and it directs you to the proper download for the browser.

I kinda like having player 6 in IE so I can see when I have player version issues.

[chipheo83]

After installing Flash 8, some motion script can't work... T_T

[w.brants]

After installing Flash 8, some motion script can't work... T_T

Please name them so I can see if I can fix them.

[chipheo83]

Sweeping Highlight <--- this motion script doesn't work after installing Flash 8

[w.brants]

Sweeping Highlight

I am aware of that; posted a note about it to Bob but it may have slipped thorugh. Replace effect2.txt with the attached file. The destiantion folder is
C:\Progrm Files\KoolMoves\Motion Scripts\Sweeping Highlight\

[Bob Hartzell]

It was on my list of things to do.

[juvard]

Any update about the sweeping highlights effects on Flash 8? My site mostly use this effects and everytime I open it on my office computer I dont see any effects but if I open it on my home computer I saw the effects perpectly what I am missing? here is my website http://www.juvard.net I appreciate your help.

[pherbrick]

If one computer is displaying a Flash 8 effect, and another isn't, my first idea is that the Flash 8 player was not installed on the second computer. Sorry, no second idea.

Peter

[Chris_S]

No doubt, and even if it is, it may be worth a reinstall of it on the non working comp.

[w.brants]

Any update about the sweeping highlights effects on Flash 8?

Did you replace the effect2.txt file like I mentioned a few posts above ?
It should work fine :confused:

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[w.brants]

do you think you be able to help me with the 3D
features I have mentioned in my thread?

I'm not sure. It's not that I wouldn't want to but as I stated before I'm not good at 3D so it would depend on what I could do. As for 3D Remus (aka Necromanthus) is the big star. Did you see his 3D renderer already
http://necromanthus.com/KoolMoves/3DRender.html
My 3D math skills are unsufficient to accomplish something like that.

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[w.brants]

I concentrate on efficiency and simplicity.
Just how I like it :thumbsup:

I'll see if I can help out. :)

Flash 8 features that may (or may not) help
- DisplacementMapFilter to manipulate pixel positions
- Enhanced gradient and bitmap fill capabilities
- Ability to use gradient lines
- Matrix transformations (you can use actionscript to skew an object)
- New filters to blur a distant object
- Blendmodes to add highlights / shadows

The real improvement will (if I understand correctly) come with Flash Player 8.5 . It will feature a complete new Actionscript Virtual Machine to run actionscript 3 code (the current one will keep running Actionscript 1 and 2). It will first appear in the MacroMedia Flex line (first half of 2006) but will also appear in the Flash environment. It should be a lot faster (correct me if I'm wrong Remus) but I don't know how difficult it would be for Bob to implement and if he will implement it. I don't know much details about it yet.

[juvard]

Did you replace the effect2.txt file like I mentioned a few posts above ?
It should work fine :confused:
Thank you so much I will try it later when Im home, I appreciate you help. :)

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[w.brants]

I was just wondering if Flash8 now supported a 3D functions

As far as I know there are no real 3D functions in flash player 8 but I believe there is some package contained in the flash development environment to make things easier for flash users.

Of course the matrix functions can help out. I don't know if the example you saw used perspective or an isometric grid. Can you point me the example ?
I think skewing can help when using an isometric grid.
Here's a simple example (not by me) that isn't true 3D but may give you an idea
http://www.senocular.com/pub/flash/8/index.php?f=skewedfloormouse

Wilbert

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[w.brants]

free models
Looks good.

As for skewing. I think you will be able to calculate the angle when scripting.
Here's a very simple example on how you can skew using actionscript (flash 8, no angles).

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[w.brants]

Scripted skewing, I like it.

I also tried the DisplacementMapFilter for perspective but I haven't got it right yet
http://www.waterlijn.info/km/endless%20road.html

It's an endless road composed of 32x32 pixel tiles picked at random order but the perspective isn't right yet.

[Chris_Seahorn]

I think once you get the hang of porting existing flash8 code to KM, it comes faster.

This one applies a random perlinNoise effect on button click.

http://koolmoves.kicks-ass.org/Bitmap2.html

It took a bit of code cleaning to get the macromedia example to run in KM. Now that I know the code differences, I'll come back to the whole subject later.

[w.brants]

I think once you get the hang of porting existing flash8 code to KM, it comes faster.

Nice example Chris :thumbsup:
I know how to port code to KM just not where to find it.
Most of it are .fla files I can not read. Do you know a site where one can find pure actionscript examples ?

[Chris_Seahorn]

I know what you mean...seems a lot of the known examples tend to hold their source code. I've also come across a few that onload the script with includes so you can at least read the included AS in notepad. I've been digging right through Macromedia examples (use the search...you will find more)....

http://livedocs.macromedia.com/flash/8/main/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm?href=00002174.html

I have a funny feeling a few of us will be running to the local bookstore to get the scripting we need from current flash8 books. My demo runs out in 4 days and from what I see in the GUI, it's not worth the cost to upgrade my MX2004. Any differences from 7 to 8 (at least for my code habits) can easily be handled by Koolmoves and any scripting needs we have I'm sure can be had from books or articles and Koolmoves just negates the need for the upgrade. Really impressive little app we have here with KM.

My whole reason for being here was the fact that Swishmax is still trapped in flash6 and I wanted the new uploaders without having to wait for Swish to pull their heads out of their #$%es and without having to shell out another couple of hundred to upgrade Flash. We hacked the version bit to trick flashplayer from 6 to 7 but that doesn't fly with flash 8 code and the compilers would bugger before you even had a chance to hack the bit. Koolmoves delivered for a lot less money than the upgrade cost. Any other flash 8 enabled code KM allows me...is cream in the coffee....I got what I wanted already ;)

Any of you who have had to rely on html based forms that also had to integrate with a flash/sql/userbased system know what the new uploaders offer.

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[w.brants]

Simple tiling demo at 60 fps (it doesn't store a map; when you move back the tiles are different. it's just to show the speed of flash 8). Click to set focus and move the arrow keys.
http://www.waterlijn.info/km/tiles.html

For some reason FireFox cpu load is much higher compared to Internet Explorer :confused:

[blanius]

Hey you're not kidding HUGE cpu load difference.

[docree]

Brants, that endless road could be a simple water faucet.
Just have a bunch of blue- tiles and a faucet at the top.
Just another Kool idea.

[Chris_Seahorn]

By Jove...I think I've Got It!

http://koolmoves.kicks-ass.org/BM_createBitmap1.swf

http://koolmoves.kicks-ass.org/BM_mapBitmap.swf

http://koolmoves.kicks-ass.org/BM_Convolution.swf

[Chris_Seahorn]

Here is a good example of why this topic is so interesting. This puzzle uses external images and the image is diced and manipulated at runtime. Finish the puzzle and watch to see the filters kick in. This is a direct port from the macromedia example for Flash users...only now it's KM ;)

http://koolmoves.kicks-ass.org/BM_bitmapdata_puzzle.swf

Just about anything you throw at it...KM can do it.

This is a Quasimondo port of his cool helix to KM 5.1:

http://koolmoves.kicks-ass.org/helix.swf

[marinebro0306]

I got Flash Professional 8, and I have to say, it is impressive.

[Makulaf]

I got flash pro 8 too but for the best buck/learning curve koolmoves whens by far also the supports are crazy there might be a lot of forums/websites for flash but I havent seen support for a program till i got KoolMoves.

[marinebro0306]

Yeah, Koolmoves is unbeatable for the money. But, the fact is, nothing can compete with Flash. It's got so many features, an unparalelled drawing enviornment, and a great AS editor.

[Chris_Seahorn]

Very few people think the actionscript editor is "great". It's why programs like SEPY are so popular. :)

an unparalelled drawing enviornment
You may be the first one i've ever heard say that ;)

[w.brants]

Here's a flash 8 example using a map and tiles.
http://www.waterlijn.info/km/mappy_test.html
Click to set focus and scroll to see the rest.
What amazed me the most in a positive way is the cpu load.

Credits for the graphics are not for me.
It's a demo map that comes with the free version of mappy
http://tilemap.co.uk/mappy.php

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[w.brants]

Have I got the wrong end of the stick again? or have you already figured it out?
I do understand the concept of the filter and how to set it up. The problem for me is creating the right map images at runtime for a good effect. You saw that with the endless road example. I just don't know how to create the right map image to do a simple perspective. When I saw the button example I knew it should be possible with the DisplacementMapFilter but I just don't know how to create the right displacement maps to create that effect.
:(

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[Chris_Seahorn]

I think the logical way to approach it is to get our hands on functional versions of every Macromedia example running at their site for these classes.
Between the many options each class and filter allows and user creativity, the combinations and results can be as varied and as unique as snowflakes.

I've spent the last 3 days going one by one through the macromedia examples and porting them natively (and untouched) into Koolmoves source code that functions. I think some new Koolmoves users can read about these classes till they are blue in the face and still have no clue but if they have working examples with Koolmoves code they can at least get a better understanding of how it can or cannot be useful to them. My list doesn't just encompass DisplaceBitmap code or filter code, but all the flash 8 classes we can use (AS1). I'm about halfway through the process and no matter how small or insignificant the example may seem...it still gets ported so the list is long. I havent rushed to start distributing them since all my 5.0.5 code will have be rewritten due to the massive changes coming with 5.1 version so as I port them I just get the code to work and move on to the next with the plan to go back and lay them all out nicely with the description attached to them like the Macromedia Flash8 examples.

My entire CMS core has already been recoded to use the new code and it is dedicated to beta testing Will's contentpane (man am I loving that!) and these classes also, so pretty soon, we will ALL have plenty of code to explore as source.

As a side note to Will....I havent had any luck with a single "clone" routine. None of these seem to want to port. Have you had any luck with Macromedias cloning examples?

[w.brants]

I havent had any luck with a single "clone" routine.
Do you mean the clone function many of the new classes have ? That was working fine for me. Maybe you can point me some example that won't work for you so I can look at it.

And thanks for the feedback on the contentPane. Always nice to hear. :)

And to Max, I know the matrix transformations don't support perspective, that's why I needed the DisplacementMapFilter to do that. Andre Michelle has done it http://8ball.andre-michelle.com/lab/displacement/mode7.swf so I know it's possible.

Wilbert

[Chris_Seahorn]

It was me Will, I had one colon shutting the whole thing down. Blind as a bat.

[Chris_Seahorn]

Displaced flag

http://koolmoves.kicks-ass.org/FLAG.html

I purposely made it with an image instead of a flag to show how smooth the image transition is across the wave.

[w.brants]

Nice example Chris ! :thumbsup:

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[M@xHe@droom]

edit

[Chris_Seahorn]

I tell you Wilbert, these filters really help give text depth and I just converted my website RSS module to use the dropshadow filter on the fly.

Not only does it nicely shadow dynamic text, it gives depth to the whole module.

I notice a lot of flash places I frequent are incorporating subtle changes to their sites and almost all are without doubt flash8 niceties. I think flash exports, as we knew them....have entered a new generation.

[w.brants]

I tell you Wilbert, these filters really help give text depth and I just converted my website RSS module to use the dropshadow filter on the fly.
I know Chris and it looks great on your site. The new filters have a lot of possibilities. A dropshadow is one of them but things like a birghtness or contrast slider, blur or desaturate a movie when you move the mouse away, it's all possible now :)