FlashTest Eclipse Plugin Alpha
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
I’m not familiar with Eclipse, but I’ve heard of it. The screenshot looks like Flex Builder… Do you use Eclipse in your project workflow?
Lee, that’s awesome.
“This idea of running JSFL scripts from Eclipse opens up a TON of opportunities for integration with Flash Professional.”
Indeed it does. It would be great to have a plugin that you could assign different jsfl scripts to different keyboard commands, or something along those lines. Maybe even just a snippet-like panel where you could add commands and assign them to jsfl scripts.
Works perfectly over here.
I tried this with Flex Builder 3 on Vista and isn’t showing up after restarting Flex.
Can you clarify what you mean by “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 am a Windows User, but I don’t know hot to install it, can you expleam it? thanks you for your share
This is very cool. I have spent more and more time using flex builder/eclipse to do my AS 3 coding – every little piece helps!
Lee –
I’ll definitely check that out tomorrow. I’m teaching a Flash CS3 ActionScript class in December and I’ll using FlexBuilder as well. This will get a lot of use.
Hi Lee,
Like the poster above, I’m also wondering if this goes into the Flex Builder plugins folder or if this is for something entirely different? I dropped it into my applications>adobe flex builder 3>plugins folder and didn’t see a new icon.
Also I wanted to thank you so much for all of the help you’ve provided me and others like me. It’s been really great to have such cool people to learn from as I teach myself AS3.
So thank you thank you thank you
Happy Holidays!
Hey Lee, can’t seem to get the icon to show up. I’m trying to install this in Flex Builder 3 and you mentioned Eclipse, so I’m wondering if that’s the problem. Although from your screen shot it looks like you’re running it in FB as well.
Is this to be used in conjunction with your Flash app in Flex AIR app from a few posts ago?
I feel like I’ve hit the ceiling with the Flash IDE but I can’t for the life of me get the hang of Eclipse yet.
Hi Lee,
thats cool. What resources (books, references …) did you use for the development of the plugin?
For those that are new to Flex Builder, check out Lynda.com’s Flex 3 Essentials for a thourough (spelled how?) walkthrough.
Lee…stunning stuff :]
Flex Builder is built on Eclipse, so it should work just fine if you’re using the standalone version of Flex Builder. One issue is that by default, Flex Builder gets installed into a directory with spaces in it. Normally you’d be able to extract the zip file contents into the plugins directory inside of your Flex Builder 3 directory and it should work. With the spaces issue I don’t think it will right now.
This kicks ass Lee.
=Ryan
ryan@adobe.com
Hi Lee,
[Off topic] I just wanted to let you know how much fun I’ve had from following your tutorials, they are always so easy to follow. I came up with this as a result of your Advanced Filter Effects and Sound Spectrum tutorials
http://www.gordoneverett.co.uk/flash_tests/the%20spiralizer.html
Its very 70’s!
Thanks dude
[...] Lee Brimelow hat ein Plugin veröffentlicht vomit man direkt in Eclipse testen kann: FlashTest Eclipse Plugin ActionSriptEclipseEditor Posted by simurai Interactive Designer. Zurzeit in Kanada. Darum gibt’s [...]
Lee this is awesome! Can’t wait until you get good at this stuff!
I’m on Windows (XP) using FDT in Ecplise, and can’t get the icon to appear.
On my mac I tried changing the Flex path from the following:
Applications>Adobe Flex Builder 3
to
Applications>AdobeFlexBuilder3
then I dropped the FlashTest folder into my plugins folder inside Flex Builder but still no luck.
But they say on CFEclipse:
“Important note regarding Eclipse 3.4 (Ganymede): Currently CFEclipse does not work well with Ganymede. We recommend you continue using Eclipse 3.3 (Europa) for a stable user experience.”
You really use Ganymede?
@Verena I’m only using the snippets part of CFEclipse and not the majority of its functionality. The snippets work in 3.4 though.
Thanks Lee, this is awesome!
Anyone got this to work in FB. If so, please share your powerful technique with the rest of us.
It doesn’t show up in eclipse 3.3. I have unzipped the folder after download and moved it to the eclipse plugin folder.
I’m using mac.
Lee,
This is awesome. I’ve been in and out of Eclipse, depending on the job, for years and appreciate its flexibility (pun). However, i’m afraid all this work may be wasted if adobe or a 3rd party sends out an upgraded flex builder or plug-in in the near future. What do you think or know?
Wow!!!! This is amazing Lee. You converted me to using Flex Builder for Flash CS4 development and now you’ve completed the picture.
I dragged the ‘FlashTest_1.0.0′ folder into my Eclipse plugins folder, fired up Flex Builder and there was the icon. It worked first time. I didn’t even have to tell it which .fla file to build.
One of the most useful utilities I’ve had the pleasure of using. A few days ago, I was slogging away in the Flash IDE and a few days later… you’ve transformed my work life.
Really… thanks!
@Nicolai Elmqvist: “It doesn’t show up in eclipse 3.3. I have unzipped the folder after download and moved it to the eclipse plugin folder. I’m using mac.”
Nicolai, I’m also using a mac and it worked first time. I did the same as you. The only difference from what you described, is that I’m using Eclipse 3.4.0
Lee mentions that he also installed the CFEclipse plugin, which I also have installed. I don’t know if that is a requirement. Details of getting the CFEclipse plugin are here:
http://www.gotoandlearn.com/play?id=94
@Verena vdB: “Important note regarding Eclipse 3.4 (Ganymede): Currently CFEclipse does not work well with Ganymede. We recommend you continue using Eclipse 3.3 (Europa) for a stable user experience. You really use Ganymede?”
I’m using CFEclipse with Ganymede. Seems ok to me. I’ve been using it solidly for a few days and haven’t had any problems. That said, I’m only using the snippets feature.
Wow… so if what I’m thinking this means is what it actually means, Eclipse could be a bridge of sorts for cross-scripting our MS .Net and Adobe CS3 / CS4 applications. Hmm…
Hi Lee,
I did a very similar project as my first run at building plug-ins for Flex Builder/Eclipse. Mine uses Test Project in CS3, which unfortunately breaks in CS4 now that the Project Panel has been replaced along with all of the JSFL stuff. Looking into how to get around that. Might have to resort to doing test movie only or see if there is a way to tap into the Navigator View of Flex Builder and tag an FLA as being the “default” document.
It’s a lot of fun and has been a great way of stepping into Java. Congrats on your first plug-in.
Regards
[...] Lee Brimelov just released a plugin for Eclipse, that provides this functionality (more or less) with a single click of an icon. It’s an [...]
Funny. I’ve just finished a blog post about my setup (which takes quite a bit more initial effort, but also is more customizable thanks to Ant) when somebody led me to your plugin. I’m nearly glad it didn’t work in my Flex Builder install, otherwise all my effort for not too much
Seriously, great work you did, something Adobe should somehow had built into (I mean, come on, nobody likes to do anything dev in Flash.)
So if you’re interested in running something like this within Flex Builder (and if you don’t mind the extra effort), have a look at http://blog.betabong.com/2008/11/29/flex-builder-t-flash-ide/ – hope it can be of use for somebody.
Has anyone fiqured out a way to have this work in FB 3?
How did they do it?
If you can only use Eclipse, can someone fix this to work in FB?
thanks
Nice work. I like to turn off the splash page. You can do this on mac, by editing the eclipse.ini file on eclipse/Eclipse/Contents/MacOS/eclipse.ini. Add the “-nosplash” switch somewhere in the file.
whoops, sorry, meant to put that last comment on your other eclipse post..
[...] tests the frontmost document in Flash IDE. (basically what does this plugin). Tested on Mac OS X 10.5.5 with Flex Builder Pro 3.0.2 and Flash [...]
When i click on the flash test icon, flash ide opens and i get the following error in output panel:
The following JavaScript error(s) occurred:
———
In file “”open.jsfl”":
TypeError: fl.getDocumentDOM() has no properties
———-
Anyone have the same problem?
@psych You have to have an FLA open. The error is basically saying that there is nothing to test.
Thanks Lee
I thought the logic behind FlashTest plugin is that it uses JSFL to somehow create a .fla file (i suppose that isn’t possible) and assign actionscript code form flex builder to that .fla as it’s document class and then test it from flash ide. Obviously my logic was wrong 
Great plugin lee, really helpful
Hey i got the plugin working and everything but it shows a “button” in my file, view, edit, ect top bar and i was wondering if there was any way around this is it is somewhat ugly and annoying. also on windows it makes my open and switch to flash CS4 to test the file.
Are you guys creating an fla, giving it the same name as your documentClass created in eclipse, and saving it to the actionscript project src path, all manually?
Hello Lee,
http://theflashblog.com/plugins/FlashTest_1.0.0.zip is now apparently missing
@dafunker See this post to get the latest: http://theflashblog.com/?p=486
[...] New tutorial on customizing Flex Builder More Snip Tree View features! FlashTest Eclipse Plugin Alpha Pimp My Eclipse – Part 1 Pimp My Eclipse – Part 2 Pimp My Eclipse – Part [...]
[...] Brimelow develop a plugin like this before, but I could not find a working download. That the reason of this [...]
[...] Lee Brimelow develop a plug-in like this before, but I could not find a working download. That the reason of this [...]
None of this would show up for me either, and I’m using FB 3.0.2 Standalone, which I gather runs on Eclipse 3.3. I’m not quite willing to install Eclipse 3.4, yet. But I have hacked it into working in FB 3.0.2 without Eclipse 3.4 or CFEclipse installed.
Open up the MANIFEST.MF file in
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Flex Builder 3\plugins\TheFlashBlog_1.0.0\META-INF, and delete the cf-eclipse line, and change the “eclipse … bundle-version” to 3.3.0, so that your Require-Bundle reads like so:
Require-Bundle: org.eclipse.ui,
org.eclipse.core.runtime;bundle-version=”3.3.0″,
org.eclipse.ui.editors;bundle-version=”3.3.0″,
org.eclipse.jface.text;bundle-version=”3.3.0″,
com.adobe.flexbuilder.editors.common;bundle-version=”3.0.214193″
Bundle-RequiredExecutionEnvironment: J2SE-1.5
The FlashTest button shows up fine, but of course the CF-Eclipse snippet button doens’t work. The colour picker works fine too, though using the default Windows colour wheel is shiite (Damn you Mac people!
Problem is, the FlashTest button works, but it takes forever to execute, and doesn’t bring me back to Flex Builder after, just sits there in Flash CS3 (does it work differently in Flash CS4?). And it assumes the file I want to compile is already open in Flash.
A great first try Lee, keep at it!!
But until something faster and more feature-friendly comes out, I’ll just keep doing the ‘ol Alt-Tab/Ctrl-Enter/Alt-Tab routine…
Has there been any progress on this? For one, I’d just love something that worked in Flex Builder. I’ve tried changing the folder name to one that doesn’t have spaces, as well as the manifest edit Joeflash mentions above, with no luck.
Let me just say that this is a fantastic idea, and I hope it can get completed to be more usable by everyone; when I teach Flash classes, I’m always trying to get the students to use Flex Builder instead of the Flash IDE for coding. I think the main hurdle is the lack of integration between the two (which you are trying to reconcile, so I thank you).
I don’t get why spaces in the path would really have anything to do with it. I mean, I get it, I do enough UNIX stuff to understand why they’re screwy, but I have a bunch of other plugins installed for Flex Builder and they all seem to run great. Is it because you’re locating the JSFL file in the plugin folder?
It is at all possible to take a cue from TextMate’s AS bundles and just write the JSFL code from a String in Java to a tmp location, thus bypassing the need to locate a JSFL file? I’m no Java coder, but looking through the src Java file it looks like you’re spending the better part of the run method just locating that file. Just a thought.
I guess the next question I have is, assuming this can work more universally, how difficult will it be to hook up a key binding to it? Just that I’d find it faster to hit Command-Tab + Command-Return that to mouse up to the tool bar.
Doesn’t work for FDT 3!!
Hello Lee,
For those (like me) who don’t succeed in using it with FB, i found how to bypass the problem using an Ant build.xml file.
I placed the open.jsfl (renamed it compile-flash.jsfl) in the root folder of Adobe Flash CS4 on mac. The path on my mac is ‘/Applications/Adobe Flash CS4/compile-flash.jsfl’
Here is the build.xml you have to create in your ActionScript Project in FB :
Here, we are using the shell command ‘open’ to execute the jsfl.
Then, you open the Ant View in FB and you just add the build.xml, execute it, and the system will switch to Flash and compile the .fla opened in it.
cheers,
I see Wordpress doesn’t display my xml code.
I wrote a post on my blog to clarify all :
http://www.clearvoice.fr/refactoring/?p=262
[...] I found Lee Brimelow wrote an eclipse plugin to add a ‘publish-to-flash’ feature : Flash Test Eclipse Plugin Alpha [...]