Frequently asked questions answered
One thing that I have noticed over the years is that I often get the same questions from people. These may come through email, on Twitter, or even in person at conferences. Below I have listed some of the most frequently asked questions along with their answers.
Where do you get your wallpapers from that I see in tutorials?
I get all of my wallpapers from DeviantArt, which is great resource for finding all kinds of cool artwork. The wood paneled wallpaper is one that people always ask me about.
Do you use Flex Builder and, if so, how did you customize it?
Yes in my more recent tutorials I use Flex Builder to write my ActionScript code. I use Eclipse 3.4 with the Flex plugin installed rather than using the standalone version of Flex Builder. As far as customization goes, I have done a couple of tutorials at gotoAndLearn as well as some blog posts on it.
How did you get Flex Builder to do snippets like pf for a private function?
Read the answer to the last question. The snippets functionality comes from the CFEclipse plugin but it only works for pure ActionScript projects and not in MXML files. I do want to see about getting it to work in all editors though. If you want to help, let me know.
Why don’t you have search on your blog?
I know, I know. Don’t ask me why it wasn’t there before. I just added it to the sidebar so search away.
How do I [INSERT REQUEST] with the 3D carousel code?
One thing I have noticed over the years is people who are just starting out with Flash attempting to follow some of the more complicated tutorials at gotoAndLearn. While I think it is great to try and push your skills to the next level, if you don’t know how to setup a click event then I would recommend starting out on some easier tutorials first.
When is the next issue of Flasher Magazine coming out?
I am going to be doing a lot of filming at FITC Toronto and will hopefully have enough for the next issue.
What cities will you be doing dead drops in?
The next one will take place during FITC Toronto. If you’re going to be there then stay tuned here for details. After FITC I will be in Washington DC and you can expect that one may happen there as well.
Where can I download your Wordpress theme?
I customized this blog by hand and didn’t use an existing Wordpress theme. I did take CSS from numerous themes and combined them into the theme you see now. If you take CSS from this site just try to change it slightly so it doesn’t look identical to my site.
What Subversion client do you use in your tutorials?
I use a Mac program called Versions. It has a very clean UI and makes using SVN not so geeky. It isn’t free though.
How do you display your SWF files on this blog so that the background dims black?
I use a Wordpress plugin called Shadowbox JS which handles everything for you.
Which plugin do you use to highlight code on this blog?
Over the years I have used a few different plugins but my current favorite is called CodeColorer. I like it because it uses the HTML code tag and the styles are also pretty nice.
Lee
Nice, few of my questions answered there. Versions seems pretty good, but a nice free alternative would be SmartSVN!
Maybe throw a tab up for the FAQ? That way it won’t get buried as you post more.
Also regarding production I know some to add to this would probably be links to your Audio post about your Mic etc. I think you made a video on that. And maybe a link to your fav places to find video-safe music. Though I know you’ve mentioned that you just use the music you want because they probably are cool with it anyway
.
Great post Lee,
Kurt
Nice! You answered a few bothering me questions
Btw. it’s probably Eclipse 3.4 not 4.3
Thanks a bunch, lol, I just recently asked about the background… Versions is what I’ve used for a while for SVN and its super nice…great post
Do you mean Eclipse 3.4?
Woops yes I meant Eclipse 3.4.
I didn’t know I was asking the same questions as everyone else, ha. Thanks for the answers, I had always wondered about the wood desktops and the CodeColorer.
I too like using Versions on my mac. However I get scowls by many developers when they hear I don’t just use the command line. They always think I’m coping out. I just prefer to not look like I’m hacking the Gibson every time I do a commit!
Thanks, Lee. Generous with your knowledge as ever…
I’ve been meaning to investigate Eclipse as a working environment. Must admit I initially found the Flex set-up somewhat offputting but that’s almost certainly down to my non-developer background. Maybe us designers find Flash a little more cuddly and a little less scary, I guess. And I know you covered Eclipse/Flex in of your videos but can never seem to find it… Although now you’ve added a search box it *should* be a little easier.
Thanks
BTW, any chance you could add some sort of edit and/or preview option for comments? I hate seeing I’ve made a typo and not being able to correct it… Doh!
Hi Lee
thanks some of my quetions you are answered in this great post.
Not so frequently asked question. How do I write a Flash Panel like in your tutorial, that changes the History ( has UNDOs ) ? When I call MMExecute from a Flash Panel nothing gets recorded in the History Panel as opposed to running the same thing straight from JSFL, which gets recorded as “RunCommand” so I get UNDO. I’ve tried just calling RunSCript from Flash, I’ve tried JSFLInterface and nothing
. Any hints?
LEEEEEEEE! Finally, making a trip into the area. It would only be fitting for you to do a dead drop in the DC area being a “spy” (political? governmental?) kinda term.
What are you doing in the area? I just moved down here from the NJ/NY area and it would be cool to see you speak if you are doing that somewhere (maybe I am ignorant of some coming event in DC?)
Very useful post. Thanks a lot.
Hey Lee,
If your interested in making coding much shorter and easier, you should check out this tutorial: http://net.tutsplus.com/videos/screencasts/how-i-can-code-twice-as-fast-as-you/
It is a useful tool to use, and allows you to make “snippets” anytime you want.
Thanks for the answers, and hope to see you soon in DC!
Lee, you have this wallpaper, the carbon fibre holes sort of. Where did you get that if you don’t me asking
Hi, Lee.
I’m a long-time lurker on your sites. Love them and thank you.
I’m a corporate trainer, who dabbles in things like Flash, AE, etc to create content for sales training or marketing.
A suggestion To FAQ #5: How do I “X” in “Y” Tutorial. If you can ever make the time, you can likely avoid this by categorizing the tutorials.
Have one section for Basic Tutorials with a basic description of the skills you need to complete. The Advanced section should have not only the skills you need, but a warning that the tutorials in this area are advanced and by nature move a bit faster and don’t review the basics skills needed to complete the tutorials. AND THEN link to a bunch of free resources for basic skills.
For all of the tutorials, you might want to mention that they are supported by the reader community through the forums.
Keep up the great work, we all really appreciate it!
Cheers Lee. You’re a great evangelist. I’m just starting out (I graduate this year) and you’ve already got me hooked on the Flash Platform.
One question – Whatever happened to that video of the Disney Air app Frog did? I only asked because it’s pretty cool to show designers what is possible with that kind of technology.
Evangelist chose WordPress ^_^
Very great blog and I’ve been focused on your tutorials since 2005. (May be that time, I mean, the first release of gotoandlearn.com)
You are a great man!
Hi Lee! Good Information.But one question has not been answered…
i like the scary sound loop in the vid “Breaking and Entering Max”.Where can i download it ? or did you compose the sound ? It would be nice if you could answer my question.
http://theflashblog.com/?paged=10
Oh my… SmartSVN has a way much cleaner UI
[...] Just installed CodeColorer plugin for wordpress. It’s pretty nice. Kudos to Lee Brimelow for this Q&A post. [...]