# Instance names are sometimes being ignored **URL:** \ **Category:** Uncategorized\ **Created:** [December 5, 2009, 2:27pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/instance-names-are-sometimes-being-ignored/301225 "2009-12-05T14:27:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 1\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![h3dg3h0g](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/3ec8ea/32.png) [@h3dg3h0g](https://forum.kirupa.com/u/h3dg3h0g)\ **Post date:** [December 5, 2009, 2:27pm UTC](https://forum.kirupa.com/t/instance-names-are-sometimes-being-ignored/301225/1 "2009-12-05T14:27:44Z")
This is a very weird problem, certainly a flash screw up. I’m working on a monster game right now, it’s huge. Recently I’ve been having problmes simply applying instance names. I’ve created a system where every movieclip’s name and y position is added into an array so they can be sorted for a pseudo 3d effect. With this array I can test if for instance the instance name “bed” is in there. So, I create a movieclip and give it the instance name “bed”. I compile, and if I ask for any info on “bed” it’ll always be undefined. I check the array full of instance names, and it is registered as instance5748 or something. Now here’s the really \*\*\*\*ed up bit. If I do onclipevent(load){ trace(\_name) } it returns the name “bed” and then everything works!!!??? I can access it’s x & y value and everything. So if I trace the name value, it works, if I don’t, it doesn’t work… so the trace statement (purely for debugging) is affecting the innerworkings of my compiled game… wtf? This is without a doubt a flash hiccup, but is there a better way of going round it than embedding onclipevent(load){ trace(\_name) } into everything? Perhaps if I understood more about it I could work something out myself. But atm this is just \*\*\*\*ing weird. I’m working in AS2 (not a clever idea for such a huge game i know) Any help will be great!