[gsb]

SWiSHmax 2 and Adobe's Flex / Flex Builder 3
Is anyone else looking at this combination of tools?

[ I could not find a better forum to ask this question. Seemed appropriate here. ]


I am learning Flex 3 now having played a little with Flex 2 some time ago. Flex is a highly productive, free open source framework for building and maintaining expressive web applications that deploy consistently on all major browsers, desktops, and operating systems. While Flex applications can be built using only the free Flex SDK, developers can use Adobe® Flex® Builder 3 software to dramatically accelerate development. At its core is AS3 and the Flash 9 player.

As a "bridge" (learning aid) I have chosen to use SWiSHmax 2 content within my Flex application(s). This can be as simple as component skinning or truly embedding an entire SWiSHmax built application within a skeleton Flex framework.

So far, I have solved the AS3 to AS2/1 synchronous communications issues between the two virtual machines sufficiently to allow by-directional controls: Flex -> SWiSHmax and SWiSHmax -> Flex.

So my question stands as posted above; Is anyone else here looking at such "mixed" application designs? ...and if so, would you like to join in this thread, a conversation, that further explores this use of SWiSHmax 2 in such applications?


Regards,


gsb

[Sorex]

One thing that I find interesting is the speed boost of some things in Flex compared to Flash 8 and below.

on the other hand I guess that developing apps in ASP/PHP (+AJAX) would be way faster than in Flash and aswell browser/OS independent

What you mentioned about combining Swish files with Flex, I thought that was not possible as they both run in different core's?

[s02]

Sorex, on Apr 21 2008, 09:24 PM, said:

What you mentioned about combining Swish files with Flex, I thought that was not possible as they both run in different core's?

That's true, but it's possible to build a bridge between the AWMs using a LocalConnection or the ExternalInterface.

http://flexextension...shinterface.php
http://www.gskinner.com/blog/archives/2007...idge_easie.html

Best
Oliver

[Sorex]

ok that's nice

but when you can't load 'm in you'll get yourself some headaches by splitting up your program into several Flex and Max parts, not?

are there any flex apps online so that we can have a better look of what it actually is? most of the time it's just text which doesn't reveal much of its power.

[s02]

Sorex, on Apr 21 2008, 10:14 PM, said:

but when you can't load 'm in you'll get yourself some headaches by splitting up your program into several Flex and Max parts, not?

If you couldn't load them in, yes, but you can When loading an <= SWF8 movie into an SWF9 movie the loaded movie is wrapped into an AVM1Movie object, it's just the communication between them that isn't allowed.

Quote

are there any flex apps online so that we can have a better look of what it actually is?

You mean flex apps in general?

http://flex.org/showcase/

[gsb]

Yes. There are many examples in use today. Google and you will find lots.

And yes, both LocalConnection and the ExternalInterface are available and I have used both. I prefer an External Interface linkage, not the bridge, but a much smaller and easier to build example of my own.

But in general, looks like there is not much going on in the Flex/SWiSHmax arena today.
Oh well... I hope others chime in with some experience.


gsb

[Sorex]

now that I think of it, wasn't there a flex commandline compiler or something aswell?

maybe the people from Swishzone can implement that as a temp solution to create Flex apps? not sure if it's possible tho, just an idea

[gsb]

Yes, "...free Flex SDK..." which uses command line processing.

But Flex is its own framework and uses its own 'MXML" language - an XML format that it compiles into SWF9 code. Anyone can use it for free but I do not see Swishzone jumping in.


gsb

[temitope]

Yes, "...free Flex SDK..." which uses command line processing.

But Flex is its own framework and uses its own 'MXML" language - an XML format that it compiles into SWF9 code. Anyone can use it for free but I do not see Swishzone jumping in.


gsb

I believe swishzone should start getting in on this. Adobe is moving heavily into web application development for developers and before you know it swish loyalist should left behind. Look at Adobe AIR, Adobe Flex, Guys i think we are sleeping else a lot us will have to start learning adobe flash to compete with our peers. Thanks gsb for raising this issue.

[ancientdust]

well - here are few things i know since i started learning and experimenting with all the flex buzz:
1. Aptana IDE - an excellent free editor for javascript, php, ajax, html, css and also for developing AIR applications.
http://www.aptana.com/

2. Flex SDK has a plugin which can be used with Eclipse Editor to create and compile flex applications.
http://www.darronsch...ives/000182.cfm

[Martin Knight]

temitope, on Apr 30 2008, 08:15 PM, said:

I believe swishzone should start getting in on this. Adobe is moving heavily into web application development for developers and before you know it swish loyalist should left behind. Look at Adobe AIR, Adobe Flex, Guys i think we are sleeping else a lot us will have to start learning adobe flash to compete with our peers. Thanks gsb for raising this issue.

Well, since not full AS2.0 is supported in swish , and AS3.0 seems far far away... yes.

[gsb]

Hi again.

It was not my intent to say that SWiSHzone needs to re-develop anything. Rather I am looking at the use of Flex AND SWiSHmax 2. This combination works quite well for a lot of things even though AS3 and AS2 are not very compatible. This allows one to try/use Flex while leveraging their knowledge of SWiSHmax.

Flex is a language of its own, MXML as mentioned above and yes it compiles into AS3. One can include AS3 code in the MXML file for compilation into the .swf. But embedding of SM2 file assets and runtime loading of entire SM2 movies is also possible.

I am just exploring this combination; Flash user's would laugh. But SWiSHmax users may not for one can do some limited integration of Flex and SWiSHmax whereby leveraging on current knowledge to take advantage of Flex's RIA framework.

Seems to me worth looking at and I am glad to see some company.


gsb

[Martin Knight]

gsb, on May 1 2008, 12:23 AM, said:

I am just exploring this combination; Flash user's would laugh. But SWiSHmax users may not for one can do some limited integration of Flex and SWiSHmax whereby leveraging on current knowledge to take advantage of Flex's RIA framework.

Well since Flash edit mode, in a design structure perspective is worse than Max2... Max2 is well suited for skinning flex applications (if no AS3 or advanced animations are required in those skins). I can not understand the Flash Cs3 outline ... and MovieClip edit mode... so I prefer swish Max 2.

Cheers!

[gsb]

"... so I prefer swish Max 2..."

Yes. Exactly. ...and I believe many are like minded.

So this thread may still grow into an interesting topic yet.


gsb

[Martin Knight]

Important Note: Flex went opensource and the Free development SDK is available here:

http://www.adobe.com/products/flex/

But if you are STUDENT, you can get Flex Builder 3 for as much as 0 $... yes, really, for free... you only need to send a copy of your Student Card and they will send you an original key...

Go here, and have fun, it's free...

http://www.flexregistration.com/

See you!