Using Actionscript (MovieClip) class in flex

Question

I have a piece of Actionscript code that Implements MovieClip. I don't seem to be able to get it to display in my application.

What I've tried:
1) Using the class directly in my code via UIObject and Sprite. I can create the UIObject, add the Sprite and then add an instance of the class. Nothing displays in my app.

2) Putting the class in as a flex library (swc). The compiler won't let me import it or use it as a display object.

3) Putting the class in as a flex project (swf). The file runs fine stand alone but gives me the same "broken" icon when I try to use it in my app.

Im missing some key factor here. Suggestions?

EDIT: Got the add-in class to display via a library. It compiles to a .SWC file. Unfortunately it's using the full screen as its 'stage' dimensions. The issue I was having before with it not being visible was actually (or so I think) that it was off the right side of the display window. I put break points in the drawing routines and could see that it was being refreshed. So now Im trying to get it to accept some dimensions.

Im hoping to implement some form of the 'cumulus tag cloud'. It was written as a WP add-in but its open sourced so maybe I can adapt it. — ethrbunny, Jun 14 '11 at 19:17
It all works like it should. Its your code that is wrong. Try it in asimple test and work from there. Post any code you stumble on. — drkstr, Jun 15 '11 at 06:41

score 2 · Answer 1 · answered Jun 14 '11 at 13:53

1) Using the class directly in my code via UIObject and Sprite. I can create the UIObject, add the Sprite and then add an instance of the class. Nothing displays in my app.

Did you give the move clip and size? ( Width and height) and position (x and y)? The size is usually more important because x and y are often set to 0, 0.

2) Putting the class in as a flex library (swc). The compiler won't let me import it or use it as a display object.

did you add the SWC to your library path? Are you sure your new movie clip is included in the SWC?

3) Putting the class in as a flex project (swf). The file runs fine stand alone but gives me the same "broken" icon when I try to use it in my app.

It sounds like you have a path issue w/ embedding here; but you'd have to show your code.

MovieClip has size and position. When added from an external file (be it SWF or SWC) I see it positioned but it won't draw. — ethrbunny, Jun 14 '11 at 19:02
@ethrbunny Please show your code for "adding it". Are you embedding it? Or using a SWFLoader? Or something else? — JeffryHouser, Jun 14 '11 at 20:01

Michiel Standaert · Accepted Answer · 2011-06-15T09:04:40.547

You can create a UIComponent instead of UIObject and add the movieclip to the UIComponent. I have always used UIComponent instead of UIObject and my sprite is always displayed correctly :) mxml and code below:

<mx:UIComponent>
    <mx:Yoursprite></mx:Yoursprite>
</mx:UIComponent>

or coded in actionscript:

private function createSpriteInFlex():void
{
    var _uiComponent:UIComponent = new UIComponent();
    addElement(_uiComponent);

    var _sprite:YourSprite = new YourSprite();
    _uiComponent.addChild(_sprite);
}

EDIT

You can just add an mxml line like this.

<com:myUIComponent width="100%" height="100%"></com:myUIComponent>

So the myUIComponent is actually a class that you can code yourself. I will demonstrate how you can add a sprite or movieclip below:

package com.myUIComponent
{
    public class myUIComponent extends UIComponent
    {
        public function myUIComponent()
        {
            super();

            addEventListener(Event.ADDED_TO_STAGE, init);
        }

        private function init(e:Event):void
        {
            removeEventListener(Event.ADDED_TO_STAGE, init);

            //ADD YOUR SPRITE HERE
            var mySprite:YourSprite = new YourSprite();
            addChild(mySprite);
        }
    }
}

Tried this as part of using the class locally. Added a UIComponent to my page, then added the Sprite and finally the MovieClip. Appeared to go in ok but nothing displayed. — ethrbunny, Jun 14 '11 at 19:01
I had assumed--perhaps incorrectly that his reference to UIObject was a typo for UIComponent; based on a quick search, UIObject was part of Flex 1.5; but no links show up for Flex 2 or greater. — JeffryHouser, Jun 14 '11 at 20:00
Normally, this should work. Have you tried the coded approach or the mxml-approach? I will update my post with another (coded) example. — Michiel Standaert, Jun 15 '11 at 08:56

Using Actionscript (MovieClip) class in flex

2 Answers2