Update: Thanks for all the feedback everyone. Let me tell you my setup that I’m using. First, I’m using Eclipse 3.4 which you can download here. Then I downloaded the Flex Builder 3.0.1 Eclipse plugin and installed it. Next I got the latest version of CFEclipse and installed it. I think I would rather use the latest version Eclipse and install things as plugins rather than use the stand-alone Flex Builder. I’m currently working on improving this to make it more consistent, but if you have the same setup as me it should work.

I have spent the last few days learning the ins and outs of Eclipse plugin development. This has been somewhat painful due to the fact that I’m still new to Eclipse and, oh yeah, I don’t know Java. But I have managed to build a simple plugin that allows you to test your FLA directly from Eclipse. This is a huge time saver as you don’t have to tab over to Flash and then test your movie. In the plugin I also automatically save the current file before testing the movie. What’s also nice is that the Flash IDE doesn’t even pop up. All you see if is the test movie window. Now this is very experimental as I’m still a total newbie at this stuff. One issue on Mac is that if you have any spaces in the path to your Eclipse installation, it won’t work. Just remove the spaces and things should be good. I’m not sure how things will work on Windows. Please let me know. I’m going to keep working on it to make it solid though.

So how am I doing this? I include a simple JSFL script with the plugin that gets executed when you hit the keyboard shortcut or press the icon in the toolbar. This script simply tests the current document. This idea of running JSFL scripts from Eclipse opens up a TON of opportunities for integration with Flash Professional.

To try out the current build, download the ZIP file, extract the contents to your Eclipse plugins folder, and then restart Eclipse. You should see a new icon in your toolbar. Click and hopefully it will jump over to Flash and test your movie. Let me know how it goes for you.

Lee

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I just found out it CAN do variable substitution like TextMate! Check out the video below.

Lee

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I just uploaded the new tutorial that shows how to make some modifications to Flex Builder to make it into a lean, mean, ActionScript machine. I love TextMate because of the tab shortcuts and luckily there is a way to do something similar in Flex Builder. In this tutorial I show how to install a great snippets plugin and also talk about other ways to make Flex Builder more powerful for your ActionScript development.

Lee

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Update: This contest IS open to non-US residents as well.

I’m ecstatic to announce that I will be one of the judges for the $100,000 Killer App Challenge being put on by Ribbit. That’s right, $100,000 will be split up amongst the top winners who do the coolest stuff with the Ribbit technology. This is your chance to make the big time and pocket a huge amount of cash.

Go on over to the contest site to read all of the rules and get signed up to compete. I will be doing a tutorial on how to get started with Ribbit very shortly. What are you waiting for? Go and register now! Now don’t even try to bribe me by sending a new Canon 5D MKII to my house .

Lee

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At Adobe MAX the evangelism team released a new AIR application that is essentially Flex documentation on steroids. Greg Wilson, James Ward, and Christophe Coenraets are the ones responsible for putting this together. I don’t really use the Flex framework that much and even I’m excited about this application. It lets you see live examples of every component and piece of the framework. It also includes a ton of stuff that will be useful to non-Flex coders as well like AIR examples and how to connect to a whole slew of web services like Flickr and Twitter. You’ll even see me pop-up in the example on using transparent video .

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Things are about to start picking up again on the speaking front. Actually I just spoke at MAX so I guess it has already started. Here’s some news about what’s going on and where I’ll be.

Flash on the Beach Miami
Tickets have just went on sale for what promises to be an awesome event in Miami south beach on April 6-8. Lots of people from the southeast have asked me when a cool Flash conference would be coming to their area. Well this is THE one to attend. Flash on the Beach is one of the most respected Flash conferences and always has an amazing line-up of speakers. I’m sure you’ve heard the buzz about the annual FOTB in Brighton and now here’s your chance to attend one without the expense of traveling to Europe. I’m just happy that I got a speaking slot so I can enjoy a sunny and warm vacation while I’m there. Go register now before it sells out!

LAFlashapaloozastock III
LAFlashapaloozastock III is a free event being put on by FITC and R Blank in Venice Beach, California. That’s right I said FREE! I’m really looking forward to this event on December 6th as it will definitely be a switch from the typical Flash conference. Almer/Blank will be hosting the event and I hear their studio is right on the beach which should be fun. Speakers include myself, Ralph Hauwert, GMUNK, and Branden Hall. In the evening there will be a block party where I hear fire dancers are involved. If you are anywhere near southern California, there is no excuse not to come to this one!

Las Vegas Adobe User Group
I’m really excited that I will be speaking in Vegas at the next meeting of the Las Vegas Adobe User Group on December 8th. I’ll be going there directly from LAFlashapaloozastock III and will cover a bunch of stuff relating to Flash CS4 and Flash Player 10. I’ve been meaning to meet this group for a while now, but the UFC events never seemed to coincide with a meeting .

Lee

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