Accessibility

Flash Article

Building the FooterNav Component

Page 1 of 8Previous PageNext Page

Andreas Heim

Andreas Heim
Smashing Ideas


Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Basic Setup
  3. Creating the Component Symbol
  4. Preparing the Timeline
  5. Creating the Class File
  6. Turning the Component into a UI Component
  7. Defining Class Properties and Component Parameters
  8. Programming the Layout of the Component
  9. Events
  10. Packaging

With the release of Macromedia Flash MX 2004, Macromedia has overhauled both the ActionScript programming language and the component architecture upon which the Flash UI components are built. This tutorial steps you through constructing a FooterNav component in this new environment.

The FooterNav itself is a rather simple component; it lets you specify a number of labels and associated links, and then creates a button for each. You can also specify a caption to show underneath, and align it left, center, or right. You can also align the buttons within the group of buttons.

The changes for building components are so significant that I think it's best to start from scratch, so you don't miss any steps in between. If you are already familiar with building components in Macromedia Flash MX, I would even recommend that you lay that knowledge aside for a moment while you go through this tutorial. When you're finished, you will see how much you don't have to worry about any more in Macromedia Flash MX Professional 2004.

At first it really may seem you have to learn Macromedia Flash all over again, but you will soon realize the change is for the better and actually makes your life easier.

Requirements

Macromedia Flash MX Professional 2004


Note: You can also follow this tutorial with the standard version of Macromedia Flash MX 2004. However, you won't be able to edit the class files with the built-in script editor; you will need to use an external text editor.

Download the sample files


Note: These files contain the completed files that you produce when you finish the end of the tutorial. You don't need them to start.

Page 1 of 8Previous PageNext Page

About the author

Andreas Heim works as Director of Technology at Smashing Ideas in Seattle. He focuses on challenging Macromedia Flash projects—his favorites are ones that include Flash-to-server interaction or lead to building reusable components. He passes on the knowledge gained from these projects to his team members through mailing lists and by contributing to books. Some of the outstanding projects Andreas worked on over the years have led to invitations to speak at several Flashforward conferences, and he has become a Macromedia Advisory Board member. In his time off, Andreas enjoys playing soccer—something that has stayed him all the way from his hometown Hattenhofen in Germany.