referencing to instance names?

[sandraa]

I am creating a flash menu and I have a function that dynamically sets the links:

buttons.addEventListener(MouseEvent.CLICK, gotoPage);


function gotoPage(event:MouseEvent):void 
{
    var btnName:String = event.target.name;
    btnName = btnName.slice(0,btnName.indexOf("_"));
    var newAddress:String = "/" + btnName + ".html";
    var linkRequest:URLRequest = new URLRequest(newAddress);
    navigateToURL(linkRequest, "_self");
}

It was working at the early stage but now it sets the links to weird instance names I have no idea where they come from, like instance4...

I tried to rename with the .name but it wont let me do it as they are placed on the timeline.

Any suggestions?

Thanks

[5TonsOfFlax]

The event target is not what you think it is. It is probably some Shape or other object inside your button that is actually the target. If you set mouseChildren = false on the buttons, it'll probably fix it.

[sandraa]

Ok thanks 5tons, it did change the instance name but still does not fix that crazy issue.

If I dont use buttons.mouseChildren = false;, then my instance names are all different ranging from 2 to 5...

If I use it, then they are all instance11.

And if I do trace (buttons.name);, then I get instance114!

It was working at my early stages. Then I changed the text field in the buttons to be dynamic so I can update it with AS... would that be the issue?

I am so confuse..

[5TonsOfFlax]

From the way you had named things, I thought you had a container Sprite (or MovieClip) called 'buttons' which had individual buttons with the instancenames you wanted. I was suggesting setting mouseChildren to false on those individual button instances. Since you are getting instance# for all of them, I don't think you've actually set any instancenames. Are you creating these button instances from the IDE or by code? A variable is not the same thing as an instancename.

[sandraa]

I have a custom class for my buttons and I am groupings the buttons into an array:

var buttons:ButtonSet = new ButtonSet();
buttons.addButtons([index_mc, services_mc, profile_mc, terminal_mc, map_mc, certifications_mc, contact_mc]);


addChild(buttons);

They are placed first on the timeline with their own instance name that reflects the one in the array.

Each of the buttons come from the same MC which has a dynamic text field. I set the text with AS:

index_mc.text_mc.text_txt.text = "ACCUEIL"
index_mc.textover_mc.text_txt.text = "ACCUEIL"

etc...

Should I set the instance name with AS? I am not sure how to do that yet..

[5TonsOfFlax]

If addButtons is actually adding the same instances that it is passed, then you shouldn't need to set the names. Can you post addButtons?

[sandraa]

yes, here is the button class:

public class ButtonSet extends MovieClip
    {
        public var buttons:Array;
        
        public function ButtonSet()
        {
            
        }
        
        public function addButtons(buttonSet:Array):void
        {
            buttons = buttonSet;
            for(var i:int = 0; i < buttons.length; i++)
            {
                addChild(buttons[i]);
            }
        }
    }
}

Thanks a lot for trying to help me :-)

[5TonsOfFlax]

huh. You're adding the same instance you were given, so that's good. But you're not manipulating the coordinates or anything? Okay, if it works then great.

Try putting a trace in when adding each to verify they have the names you expect.

public class ButtonSet extends MovieClip
    {
        public var buttons:Array;
       
        public function ButtonSet()
        {
           
        }
       
        public function addButtons(buttonSet:Array):void
        {
            buttons = buttonSet;
            for(var i:int = 0; i < buttons.length; i++)
            {
                var b:Sprite = Sprite(buttons[i]);
                trace(b.name);
                b.mouseChildren = false;
                addChild(b);
            }
        }
    }
}

[sandraa]

That is awesome! Yes it works perfectly. Thank you so much for taking the time to help me :-)