Flash Library Items as .swc files for Flex - with custom functionality

programming flash
1

Hi Forum

I would like to use multiple library items, created in the Flash IDE, with the same baseclass in Flex Builder3. In my case it would be a timeline containing 4 strips. Each strip has the same movieClip instances, but with slight variations created by the designer.

My Process:

  1. create multiple strip movieClips in flash each with a uniquely designed background, header and title and call their instances: bodyBg, headerBg, headerTxt.

  2. in the properties window for each Strip use the Class names: Strip0, Strip1, Strip2… and for all of the use the same baseclass: Strip.as

  3. create the Strip.as class (see below)

  4. export the flash file under Publish Settings > flash > export .swc file

  5. link the Flex Builder actionscript project to the .swc file

  6. start using the Strip0 class: strip0 = new Strip0();

The Problem:

  • Flex does not recognize the manually created movieClips inside Strip0, Strip1, Strip2, Strip3.
  • Flex does not throw an error, it just silently ignores the line where I try to set the bodyBg.alpha to 0
  • No compile, and no runtime error… ?

Interesting observation:

  • Flex does recognize the bodyBg, headerBg, and headerTxt movieClips if I simply use flash.display.MovieClip as the baseclass…

Any ideas what is wrong with my thought process? it’s driving me a little mad… any leads or thoughts would be much appreciated.

Thank you!

-sk

Library Items

  • Strip0
    Class: Strip0
    Base Class: Strip.as
    Contains MovieClips with instance names: headerBg, bodyBg, headertxt

  • Strip1 (same as Strip0)

[…]

MainClass.as

tlStrip0 = new Strip0();
tlStrip1 = new Strip1();
tlStrip2 = new Strip2();
tlStrip3 = new Strip3();

tlStrip0.setup(0,tlStrip0.bodyBg); //>> bodyBg movieClip is not being recognized by Flex?
tlStrip0.setup(1,tlStrip1.bodyBg);
tlStrip0.setup(2,tlStrip2.bodyBg);
tlStrip0.setup(3,tlStrip3.bodyBg);

strips = new Sprite();
strips.addChild(tlStrip0);
strips.addChild(tlStrip1);
strips.addChild(tlStrip2);
strips.addChild(tlStrip3);

InstanceManager.STAGE.addChild(strips);

Strip.as class

//id
private var id:int = 0;

//layout
private var bodyBgMC:Sprite;

public function TimelineStrip():void
{
}

public function setup(_id:int,_bodyBg:Sprite):void
{
this.id = _id;
this.bodyBgMC = _bodyBg;
this.bodyBgMC.alpha = 0; // >> this won’t work???
}
}