Are you a flash developer? Use Flex Builder

admin — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 22:01:33 +0000

After completing a flex project build in Flex Builder I got so much into using FB’s features that going back to FDT didn’t sound to optimistic. I figured out there was no reason why I acutally had to do it. Going through the pain of getting Eclipse, FDT, setting core libraries, etc. was enough pain to stick to Flex Builder. I absolutely love the debugger and working without it is almost like writing code in Notepad. It is really simple to set up. Flex Builder comes with 60 day trial, so it is definitely worth checking it out. Plus it is actually cheaper than FDT ( FB is 249USD, FDT Basic is 299Euro). Once you install ir and run it just goto File -> New -> ActionScript Project. In the popup specify the Project Name and Location. Clicking on Finish and you’re done! What FB will do is set up the entire project for you. When you compile (shortcut F11) it will create a swf from your class, wrap it up in html and launch it in the browser. Forget about FLAs, Flash IDE, Class Documents and all that crap!

Give it a go and you will never want to go back! Now, if you really like it there is a much better way to set it up.

If you create a new Flex Project instead of ActionScript Project FB will set up bin, src, libs, html template folder and create your application MXML. What you have to do next is create your new Main class in the src folder. Now right click on the Project Name and go to Properties and choose Flex Modules. In there click “add” and locate your Main class. Make sure you choose “Do not Optimize” in order to get the class compiled as a seperate swf rather than pulled into your main swf compiled as a flex app. Now the only thing you have to do is to load your swf into your flex project.

Goto your main MXML file and add this

Now if you compile it, everything from your src folder will be copied to your bin folder (without the classes of course). That’s where I add my content folder with all the assets and my com folder with the code specific to this project. Now add your libraries to libs folder, add it to source path (Project Name -> Properties -> Flex Build Path) and you’re ready to go!I find it really well organized to be honest it’s achievable with just a few clicks! Flex Builder ROCKS!!

Tom's blog » flash ide

Are you a flash developer? Use Flex Builder