How to create a simple static menu in flash

AreDubya,

That’s a great clear example for me to use. However I have just tried to figure out how it all works, so if I could ask a few follow up questions if you don’t mind that would be great.

I have tried to step through and recreate your example to learn but have already encountered a problem. The text buttons are static on screen by using the convert to ‘movie clip’ option rather than the button option as I had been trying, but when I add the pages and run the clip they just cycle through really fast as if they are still part of the normal timeline, I have drawn them on the content layer and selected F8 to convert them to a movie clip on each keyframe on frame 1-5 am I missing a step?

Also I have changed some of the code to suit my variable names (I think) and I have been given and error for each button here are the details:

1120: Access of undefined property Btn1.  
Btn1.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN, getPage1);

Also what is meant by the word ‘void’ at the end of each function?  I am going through tutorials and book but due to the time constraints and specific criteria I have to work to, its a frustratingly slow process.

Thank you very much for your help. I will of course award the points for the initial answer but not sure if I do that now will that stop us being able to discuss this further?

Best regards
Karl

Karl01,

Glad it's helpful. I am not sure what you mean by "static on screen", I am assuming just that they don't disappear. This is the sequence to create the buttons:

Make a text box w/ text.
Convert that to a MovieClip.
Add it to the stage on frame one.
On the same layer, insert a frame at the end of the movie - not a key frame.
The button will now be on stage for the entire time.

To get rid of cycling:

Make sure you have stop(); at the top of the first frame, it will hold the playhead there.

The 1120 Error:
Not sure without a file. You are trying to get to something with an instance name Btn1 inside of something named Btn1? If you just changed the name(maybe a bad call for the students, sorry ; )), then you should use:

Btn1.addEventLIstener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN, getPage1);

Also, you have to change the instance names - select the button and make sure the name is Btn1 on the properties panel.

Void at the end of a function means the function won't return anything. If the function returned something you would change that to Number, String, whatever the function returns.

Paste the code below into a new fla, when you click the stage it traces a random # bet 0 - 10. You can see how the return is used.

Good Luck,

AreDubya

import flash.events.MouseEvent;

var test:Number;

test = getNumber();

function getNumber():Number
{
	return(Math.random() * 10);
}

function traceTest(e:MouseEvent):void
{
	test = getNumber();
	trace(test);
}
stage.addEventListener(MouseEvent.MOUSE_DOWN, traceTest);

Select allOpen in new window

Also, check out tv.adobe.com - really good tutorials on both the Flash IDE and ActionScript.

AreDubya

Karl01,

One other great site for tutorials - gotoandlearn.com . Can you close this thread if I have answered your question? Thanks,

AreDubya

Hi AreDubya,

It was the instance name that was missing from the button text and that stopped the ‘page’ boxed cycling through like a rave light.

Great spot on the reason for the name change; although a bit of humour could help them remember the procedure better I won’t risk it with a new class just yet.

I will check out the two reference sites you have provided however I think I will be back here before long.

Thank you for your effort and the work you put in, it is greatly appreciated.

Karl

Very helpful.

Glad to help, I will keep an eye out for you!

AreDubya