XML attribute problem

programming flash
1

Hello,

My code is working thus far - but as soon as I put an XML node into a function - the function loses the XML info… Please see slashes to find where my error lays >>>


xmlThumbs = new XML();
xmlThumbs.ignoreWhite = true;
xmlThumbs.onLoad = loadTHUMBS;
xmlThumbs.load("dance_thumbs.xml");

var thumbNum:Number = 0;

function loadTHUMBS(loaded){
    if (loaded) {
        thumbNode = this.firstChild.childNodes;
        Ttotal = thumbNode.length;
        thumb = *;
        link = *;
        info = *;
        
        for (i=0; i<Ttotal; i++) {
            thumb* = thumbNode*.attributes.thumb;
            link* = thumbNode*.attributes.link;
            info* = thumbNode*.attributes.info;
        }
        setThumbs();
    } else {
        trace("file not loaded!");
    }
}
    
function setThumbs(){
    var thumbW:Number = 60;
    
    for (i=0;i<Ttotal;i++){
        var thumbPOS:Number = i*thumbW;
        if (i>13){ 
            var column:Number = 365;
            }
        else{ 
            var column:Number = 300;
            }
        _root.attachMovie("thumb","thumb"+i+"_mc",1000+i,{_x:(-410+thumbPOS),_y:column});
        _root["thumb"+i+"_mc"].place_mc.loadMovie(thumb*);
        _root["thumb"+i+"_mc"].onRollOver = function(){
            this.alphaTo(55,2);
        }
        _root["thumb"+i+"_mc"].onRollOut = function(){
            this.alphaTo(100,2);
        }
trace(link*); // if I trace(link*); here >>>>>>> it Traces correctly the location of my pics
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
        _root["thumb"+i+"_mc"].onRelease = function(){
            
trace(link*);        

// HOWEVER, IF trace(link*); IS INSIDE FUNCTION, it traces 'undefined' why????
//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
            frame_mc.alphaTo(100,1);
            var mcLoader:MovieClipLoader = new MovieClipLoader();
            var loadListener:Object = new Object();
            mcLoader.addListener(loadListener);
            mcLoader.loadClip(link*,Image_mc);
            loadListener.onLoadInit = function(){};
        }
    }
}

Can anyone help explain the problem to me!? Im baffled