Simple HELP Request

[iamheaddown]

Hey Kirupa members and staff,

I am new to actionscript but highly motivated to jump in head first. I need a little help and direction. I recently started to dive in head first into learning AS3 with no substantial AS background whatsoever. I thought this may even be better as I will not have to break old AS2 habits.

Anyways, I have the standalone MXML Flex 2 SDK compiler and have been experimenting. I want to learn how to program in true raw code, all AS3. I have been intensely learning and find myself becoming more lost and confused the more I read etc.

Take this for example. I checked out Ely Greenfield's awesome Blog and found the DisplayShelf component. Wow, to say the least. This thing is cool.

I want to learn how to create just a SWF of this component and have the "dataset" be an XML file. So, I have looked at the code closely and know it is possible. Now, first things first.

I don't even know where to start! How do I create a class that will bring in the DisplayShelf class and tell it to pull the images from the XML file. The only nodes I want in the XML right now is the following:
<album_name> Which I will use later when I incorporate this with an MP3 player
<album_playlist> The location of the playlist that goes with image
<album_image> the path to the album image that will be displayed in the DisplayShelf effect.

Any help to get me started would be great. I have attached Ely's open-source files for reference. Again, I do not want to create a FLEX 2.0 app, just a Flash Player 9 SWF.

My future intentions are to then, when the user clicks on the album image, DisplayShelf sends the album_playlist node (which is the path and name of that albums playlist) to an MP3 player (specifically E-Phonics MP3 player) which I only have the SWF for.

Let me know if someone is willing to provide me direction. Thanks.

-iamheaddown

[dalewb]

man, I wish you the best of luck. wish I could help ya.

[iamheaddown]

man, I wish you the best of luck. wish I could help ya.

Thanks, I appreciate the support. I have no doubt that I'll be able to eventually figure it out, some help and direction along the way from all of the talent in this forum will help a lot.

When I do get it finished, I'll submit the project as open-source so others can benefit from it. I just want to build it to learn about AS3. I have been reading stuff for the last 7 days and my mind is hurting and cluttered with too many different approaches.

I need some help to get me started.

-iamheaddown

[iamheaddown]

Thanks, I appreciate the support. I have no doubt that I'll be able to eventually figure it out, some help and direction along the way from all of the talent in this forum will help a lot.

When I do get it finished, I'll submit the project as open-source so others can benefit from it. I just want to build it to learn about AS3. I have been reading stuff for the last 7 days and my mind is hurting and cluttered with too many different approaches.

I need some help to get me started.

-iamheaddown

Anyone, Bueller?? :sure:

-iamheaddown

[iamheaddown]

I'm new to this forum, just wondering if I have asked too much in one post?? I'm not sure why anyone has had anything to say about my question.

If you have any idea why, let me know. Thanks for any help.

-iamheaddown

[bandsaw]

You definitley need to get yourelf some books on AS, and depending how much you know about Flash, some Flash books that touch on everything (including begining AS). Flash 8 Unleashed is a good one. Also video tutorials are a good place to start. Good Luck