My code wasn’t working at the end of class because I forgot two very important things with the shared object. I didn’t create it and I didn’t connect it. It’s a good time to point out that both the SharedObject and the NetConnection object have four things they need to work properly:

1. Create the Object
2. Add and Event Listener
3. Connect the Object
4. Write the Event Handler

Here is how that works for each of them

NetConnection Object

1. CREATE
   client_nc = new NetConnection();
2. ADD EVENT LISTENER
   client_nc.addEventListener(NetStatusEvent.NET_STATUS, ncStatus);
3. CONNECT
   client_nc.connect(“rtmp://mmp.bmcc.cuny.edu/example”);
4. EVENT HANDLER
   function ncStatus(evt:NetStatusEvent) {
        trace(evt.info.code);
   }

Remember the first three lines go in the Main constructor function and the ncStatus function separate.

SharedObject

1. CREATE
   my_so = SharedObject.getRemote(“ChatObject”, client_nc.uri);
2. ADD EVENT LISTENER
   my_so.addEventListener(SyncEvent.SYNC, soSync);
3. CONNECT
   my_so.connect(client_nc);
4. EVENT HANDLER
   function soSync(evt:SyncEvent) {
       trace(“synced”);
   }

Again the first three steps are in the constructor function and the event handler is separate.

How you create the SharedObject is a little different from how you create most objects. Instead of using the new keyword ( like new SharedObject() ), you use the getRemote() method. This method needs two parameters. The first is the name of the SharedObject, I called it “ChatObject” here. This name is a string that you make up. It is important because if two movies use a different name for the SharedObject then they will not talk to each other. The second parameter is is the same connection string you usedin step 3 of the NetConnection object. However instead of having to write it twice you can just use client_nc.uri and it will use the URI from the NetConnection Object.

Also notice that when you connect the SharedObject you add a reference to the client_nc again (without the uri part this time).

Here is a file with an example of those connections

main1

For those of you who are used to AS2 this should be very helpful

Getting started with AS3

A pretty long (5 long pages) guide to ActionScript 3 with diagrams, example code and files for download. Even those of you who have been writing in AS3 could learn something from this (I did too). Strongly suggested reading.

Adobe ActionScript Development Center

This is where Adobe keeps resouces on learning ActionScript

Event Handling in AS3

Everything (and more) you wanted to know about how to handle events in AS 3.0. This also shows how to do it using Flex. You should find out more about what Flex is but we will not be using it in this class so you can skip those parts for now.

Basic info on Document Class and Adding Classes to Library symbols

Tutorial on how to use classes with AS3

Shows how to make some classes to make clips draggable and to use the keyboard for movement. He does not use the Document class however.