MACROMEDIA FLASH 8-FLASH, Tutorials Manual

Page: 209 / 292

209
18
CHAPTER 18
ActionScript: Use Script
Assist mode
This tutorial guides you through using Script Assist mode in Macromedia
Flash Basic 8 and Macromedia Flash Professional 8.
Script Assist mode prompts you to enter the elements of a script, and helps
you to add simple interactivity to your SWF file (a compressed version of a
Flash .fla file with the .swf extension) or application more easily. Script
Assist mode is ideal for users who either aren’t comfortable writing their
own scripts, or who just appreciate the ease of use the tool provides.
Used in conjunction with the Actions panel, Script Assist mode prompts
you to select options and enter parameters. For example, instead of writing
your own script, you can select a language element from the Actions
toolbox (or the Add (+) command on the toolbar), drag it onto the Script
pane, and then use Script Assist mode to help you complete the script.
This tutorial guides you through the steps of using Script Assist mode to
add interactivity to a Flash application. You will add ActionScript code to
an object (a button) and to frames in the Timeline. This tutorial also
demonstrates some best practices for adding scripts to your Flash
document.
After examining the completed Flash application, you’ll begin by opening a
starter Flash document and end by testing the interactivity you’ve added to
an application by using Script Assist mode. The tutorial should take
approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Before you take this tutorial, read Chapter 2, “Flash Basics” in Getting
Started with Flash .