Macromedia flash mx 2004-learning flash User Manual

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Chapter 15:  Work with Objects and Classes Using ActionScript 2.0

Extend the MovieClip class to create a new class

You’ll create a new class by extending the built-in MovieClip class. 

1.

Create a new Flash document and name it Shape.fla.

2.

Using the drawing tools, draw a shape on the Stage. With the entire shape selected, right-click 
(Windows) or Control-click (Macintosh) the shape and select Convert to Symbol from the 
context menu.

3.

In the Convert to Symbol dialog box, select Movie Clip as the behavior, and click Advanced. 
Select Export for ActionScript.

4.

In the Name text box, enter myShape.

5.

In the AS 2.0 Class text box, enter Drag. Click OK.

This associates the movie clip with the Drag class that you’ll create. 

6.

Using the Property inspector, assign the movie clip an instance name. Then save the FLA file.

Note: An example finished file of the document you just created, named handson3.fla, is located in 
your finished files folder. For the path, see 

7.

Create an ActionScript file by doing one of the following:

■

If you’re using Flash MX 2004 Professional, select File > New > ActionScript File (Not Flash 
Document). Save the document with the name Drag, in the same location where you saved 
Shape.fla.

■

If you’re using Flash MX 2004, open a text editor, such as Notepad. Save the file with the 
name Drag.as, in the same location where you saved Shape.fla.

8.

In the ActionScript file that you just created, create a new class and constructor called 

Drag

:

class Drag extends MovieClip

{

function Drag () 
{

onPress=doDrag; 

onRelease=doDrop;
}

}