attachMovie problem

[Captain_404]

What I'm trying to do is move an instance of a movie clip from inside one mc to a different mc.

on the frame of the to-be-moved:

var i = 0;
onEnterFrame = function() {
	i++;
	if (i == 100) {
		_root.freshEnTile(1, _x, _y);
		this.removeMovieClip();
	}
}
stop();

on the main timeline:

function freshEnTile(a:Number, x:Number, y:Number) {
	trace("hi y'alls");
	enNum++;
	bob.attachMovie("a"+a, "a"+enNum, enNum);
	bob["a"+enNum]._x = x;
	bob["a"+enNum]._x = y;
}

I do get the "hi y'alls" message, so to some extent it does work. My problem is that when the mc that calls the function removes itself, it somehow takes the new one with it, even though there is absolutely no line in my code saying to remove the new mc.

I'm completely baffled.

[ImprisonedPride]

I don't understand. Do you mean to say that the mc inside the one deleting itself is deleted also? Because that's completely normal.

[Captain_404]

Sorry, I couldn't think of how to say it with words.

Anyway, "move" it from one mc to the next by creating a new one, then deleting the old one, but when I delete the old one, it somehow destroys the new as well.

[ImprisonedPride]

My guess would be order becaue more than likely you're trying to create the same thing by the same name somewhere else, so they both get deleted. Try deleting the old one THEN creating the new one. If this still doesn't work, take a look a your naming convention, make sure you haven't assigned both of them to the same name or something easily mistakable somewhere. Finally if that doesn't work, check your scope and always, always, trace every object when testing.

[Captain_404]

freshEnTile = function(a, x, y, hep) {
	trace("fresh!");
	trace(a+" "+y+" "+x+" "+hep);
	hep.removeMovieClip();
	enNum++;
	bob.attachMovie("bill", "freidrick"+enNum, enNum);
	trace(scr2["freidrick"+enNum]);
	bob["freidrick"+enNum]._x = 300;
	bob["freidrick"+enNum]._y = 200;
}

I updated the code to this and I'm still getting the same old errors.

I programmed our good friend bill over there to trace his name every frame so that I could get an idea if he was there or not and for how long. The mc is only there for about 5 frames and then spontaneously combusts.


I've never come across the term "scope" in flash before, what do you mean by that exactly?

[ImprisonedPride]

Attach your .fla and I'll take a look...

scope means where variables "exist". For instance, variables inside a function have a "local" scope, which means they are only recognized inside the function, and only exist for the life of the function. On the otherhand, variables on the _root can be recognized anywhere in that frame, across multiple layers even.

This actually just arised a question to the general public at FK, take a look at this code:

var temp1 = "first"
temp2 = "second"

function echo() {
	trace(temp1 + "\n" + temp2);
	var temp3 = "third";
	temp4 = "fourth";
}

echo();
trace(temp3 + "\n" + temp4);
stop();

My question: Explain to me why variables can have "var" or not and still have scope anywhere, but in a function, non "var" can do the same while variables with "var" can not?



ADDED: I looked it up and found this in the help files:

var statement
var variableName [= value1][...,variableNameN[=valueN]]

Used to declare local variables. If you declare variables inside a function, the variables are local. They are defined for the function and expire at the end of the function call. More specifically, a variable defined using var is local to the code block containing it. Code blocks are demarcated by curly braces ({}).

This does not say anything about variables inside a function originally declared without var. Any thoughts?

[Captain_404]

You want to look at my .fla you say...get ready for confusion.

I'm trying to "mod" strille's tile engine to allow for two different sorts of set's of tiles moving around, enemies, which *in theory* hurt you, and ground which is impassible. This way, I'm only running a shapeflag for two mc's which isn't too cpu taxing in my experience. Although I'm probably attacking this problem the entirely wrong way because I'm too lazy to work out the hard way. Slightly ironic...

Anyway when you load the movie, hold down space, construct a level with fire, then press "t" to test it. I'll probably have to explain more later on. Thanks a lot though!

EDIT: the attachment didn't take for some reason, I think the word attach has something against me

EDITx2: file's too big, I tried to bring the size down but to no avail, could I email it to you maybe?

[everfornever]

If the files under 10mb you can put it here.

http://creativededication.com/upload.html

Now as to your problem.

Are you trying to remove a mc and then place that same mc inside a different one?

That shouldnt be a problem

just a

var myClipName:String = this.myHolder.myClip._name
this.myHolder.myClip.swapDepths(0)
this.myHolder.myClip.removeMovieClip()

this.myNewHolder.attachMovie(myClipName,myClipName ,0)


this is assuming your keeping the name of the attached clip the same as the linkage name in the library.

this.myNewHolder

[Captain_404]

Thanks efn, I forgot about your site.

http://creativededication.com/hosting/newTileEngine.fla

Also, that's exactly what I'm doing, but somehow the new mc is removed five frames later and now it seems I can't change it's x/y via my function after attaching.

[everfornever]

what do you mean five frames?

Ill look at this .fla one moment..........

[everfornever]

oh geez.... maybie someone else can help....I have no idea.

Sorry man.

[Captain_404]

I solved my problem, it was actually a combination of several things that caused even more glitches down the line. If any of you are just dying to know what I changed: http://creativededication.com/hosting/newTileEngine.fla


Thanks so much ImprisonedPride and everfornever!