Powerflasher FDT – Flash/Flex Development Environment Blog

We are excited to announce we’ve got Alan Klement as a great new Powerflasher joining the North American team today!

Alan in based in NYC, he will be evangelizing FDT while working for projects in the city that never sleeps !

1994, the year Netscape Navigator was released, is the year Alan began experimenting with web based languages. At the time, he was in middle school hacking around with C++ but the language did not excite him as much was what could be done with HTML and Javascript. After a hiatus from programming between 1999 and 2005, he jumped back into development when Actionscript 3 came to Flash.

Alan began using Powerflasher’s FDT in late 2008. He took to it immediately as the professional IDE that Flash Developers had been missing up to that point. He enjoyes experimenting and extending it’s features as well as building new ones.

You might have come across his blog or met Alan in person during the FDT workshop at FlashAndTheCity or FlashCamp Philadelphia

You can follow Alan on Twitter as @ultraky

Please welcome Alan to the Powerflasher Team!

Attending the FITC festival in San Francisco, the Powerflasher team was interviewed by Adobe and featured in their EDGE website newsletter:

Bruno Fonzi: The impressive new thing is just seeing devices, having Flash working on devices.

Martin Libich:  Well, I think in the Flash world, in general, what we are seeing and this is crucial for what we do, is the possibility of taking Flash out of the browser. Using the flexibility of Flash to do what has been done on the web anywhere you want, in the store front, at the counter when you are ordering your latte.

The Conference

In this article, HTLM5 vs. Flash at a Flash Conference, Yosun Chang captured the openness and true interest in digital art design and technology that explores and goes beyond Flash. This is valid for FITC, FlashOnTheBeach (FOTB), FlashAndTheCity (FATC), FlashBelt and many other Community driven conferences around the world! So many hard to mention all, sorry !

Yosun has even missed however the presentation about haxe.org another alternative language to ActionScript or Flex ”Everything you wanted to know about haXe, but were afraid to ask”  with Nicolas Cannasse presented at the super cool Influxis Voodoo Lounge
We have also done some interviewed ourselves to some of the haXe fans attending FITC, including the number one fan Nicolas Cannasse

We also had a blast on the rooftop CODAME event, it could not have better a place for Powerflasher to celebrate our first year in USA as a Digital Interactive Development company. Looking forward to new upcoming exciting projects !

A special thanks to our supporters, Gaia Online, Organic, Mypressi and Influxis for the drinks!

I would like to thank @Starpause for helping us to organize the art tech side of the event with the help of @keisukes @andremichelle @radley @calebhaye @jamiew @EvanMorris transmote.com for making CODAME an awesome multimedia experience ! Buck & Sumit as great hosts of the now legendary San Francisco rooftop residence!

And big thanks to the fog for passing by and make the CODAME event a full San Francisco experience!

Check it out yourself in this Photo Gallery taken by @photonburst and video taken by @keisukes

FITC was definitely fun and informative, we were glad to see you in our new home, San Francisco, and hope to you here again next year !

@BrunoFonzi

FlashCamp St.Louis kicks-off September 3rd and Powerflasher is proud to be a sponsor.

The full-day unconference will feature Flash, ActionScript and Flex/AIR sessions from a number of top industry experts on the Adobe Flash Platform.

We recently caught up with David Ortinau, who will speak at Flash Camp St. Louis,  and invited him for a chat about his upcoming session and convinced him to give our readers a sneak preview.

David Ortinau is a freelance web developer relying on the kindness of many friends to deliver his projects on time and with minimal blood-loss. He has been developing web applications for 15 yrs with internet startups, advertising agencies, and enterprise healthcare vendors. While the list of technologies he admits to knowing rapidly shrinks, he continues to work with Flash, .NET, Rails, and mobile platforms (iPhone, Android, Windows).

FDT: Why did you chose the Managing and Using Assets topic?

David: It’s a common decision all developers need to make, and it’s something that should be of interest to both developers and designers. This is where the hand-off occurs with most assets, and interactivity has a significant impact on how those assets need to be provided and implemented. There are quite a few options and many developers I speak with only know and use 1 or 2.

FDT: Why should developers care about Managing and Using Assets in AS and Flex projects?

David: Filesize and performance are two good reasons. It all contributes to user experience. It’s not just a technical decision, but a creative decision that impacts pace and flow.

Developers often complain their designer counterparts vanish after the initial handoff. Often it’s because the designer’s ability to continue contributing to the project is hindered by the asset management strategy. If you use a strategy that allows the designer to continue accessing and manipulating files, then that’s a team win.

FDT: What will attendees see in your presentation that’s not shown in your sneak preview?

David: I’ll be featuring some real world scenarios from past projects. I’ll touch again on the screencast (not relive it) and discuss a variety of other options available such as bulk loaders, RSLs, and swfs with library loaders.

And for anyone that has never seen FDT in action, I’m gonna throw as much FDT-fu at them as I can. The first time anyone sees the code generation and templates at work in FDT, it’s absolutely mind blowing. I love tools that make me faster, better at getting to the end result.

FDT: Where can readers learn more about you?

David: You can find me on Twitter @davidortinau, and my blog.

FDT: Which technologies interest you most and why?

David: Mobile and touch, generally speaking, because of their growing ubiquity and capacity to change our lives; how we think and behave. These devices and experiences can be very persuasive and I’m intrigued by those possibilities. The whole human computer interaction field is fascinating.

FDT: Which sessions are you looking forward to seeing at Flash Camp STL?

David: It’s an amazing lineup this year; I could list all the speakers! I mean, look at this schedule.

Top to bottom there’s not a session I want to miss. I’m plan to geek out during sessions from Jeff Roberts on IoC concepts, and Ben Stucki with “The Art of Computer Science”. I always love a good usability discussion, which we’ll get with Danielle Cooley.

FDT: Any interesting side projects to promote?

David: Last year I launched White Paper Bible (whitepaperbible.org), which was my first big foray into Rails and iPhone development. It’s a personal, topical Bible tool.

My side projects this year have turned to business topics, which is embodied in 360Flex coming up Sept 19-22 in DC. I’m presenting 2 sessions that I’m very excited about: “How to Scale Your Freelance Business and Maximize Profit”, and “The Invaluable Freelance Flasher”. People can read more about that at my blog and 360flex.com.

Sneak Preview:

Use Flash Pro Assets in ActionScript and Flex Projects

Like what you see?

Do not miss David’s full session at Flash Camp St. Louis, September 3rd. In addition to great sessions, there will be plenty of giveaways (including FDT Pure licenses), swag, and lunch too!

Find David’s and other great screencasts on the Powerflasher FDT Screencast group on Vimeo.

As the RIA Forum in the beautiful city of Zürich, Switzerland, is coming up, we are supporting the event and its great sessions. We’re sure the forum will be as good as last time and the time before, so come and make sure to take part in the FDT raffle.

Multiscreen gaming with the Flash Platform – Desktop, Web and Devices

As you might know by now, at Powerflasher, we like to play! Plus, we think Flash and Gaming are a good match !

We are very excited to host together with Adobe our first Flash On Games (FoG) meeting, scheduled the 7th of Sept 2010

This is a flash gaming group located and hosted in San Francisco, focused and aim to involve audience and speakers at the national level. All sessions will be broadcasted live and recorded. A link to the webcast will be sent in a follow up email once registered. I hope you can join us.

Register here flashongames.eventbrite.com

In our first meeting we’ll have the following two session:

1. Flash Sizing Zen: Android Devices

Getting Android to Respect Your Intent

by Allen Ellison Solutions Architect @ Adobe

When you bring Flash games and content to the multi-screen web using Flash Player 10.1, it can be a challenge to get your content to displayed consistently across devices as you intended; in terms of size, orientation, alignment, interactivity and full-screen behavior. This becomes even more complex when you start taking web tablets into consideration.

There are a number of obstacles to creating a consistent and usable experience including mobile content transcoders, mobile devices that behave in certain ways to make a web experience really intended for desktop systems accessible to mobile users, an inconsistent use of HTML tags and meta-tags across device families, and user-configurable browser or device settings.

So, in order to create an experience that scales gracefully between desktop browsers and mobile browsers, this session will walk you through the steps necessary to eliminate the various potential points of variation.

2. Particle Systems 101

by Alec McEachran, Senior Software Engineer @ Gaia Interactive

If you have ever wanted fire, waterfalls, clouds, snow or myriad other effects in your Flash games, then you have needed to create particle systems. There are loads of particle effect systems out there that might suit your needs, but if you want your games to remain fast, you have to roll your own.

In pure AS3, this session will look at one way to build a fast particle system from the ground up, and survey some of the techniques for moulding your particles into the effects you’re looking to achieve.

About Flash On Games (FoG)

FlashOnGames covers all aspects of a flash gaming development phases, design best practices and technical challenges. Covering the entire gaming lifecycle, from the initial concept game idea, the designer and developer workflows, testing aspects and customers feedback and delivery.

It explores the gaming ecosystem, social platforms, frameworks, distribution, marketplace for the multiscreen gaming.

Follow us on Twitter @FlashOnGames or visit our website flashongames.com

Cheers,

Bruno Fonzi

Compilation Improvements and new AS3 Formatter Compile your Flash/Flex/AIR projects way faster now and chain up launch configurations for complex build processes. The new AS3 Formatter gives you even more settings to configure your code style.

• Faster Compilation

By using the Flex Compiler API instead of FCSH/MXMLC compile speed of both full and incremental build has increased tremendously.

• Less Memory Consumption

By getting rid of FCSH memory consumption was also reduced dramatically especially in bigger projects with multiple modules.

• Launcher Chains

The new tab “Launcher Chain” in the FDT launch configurations makes it possible to chain up launch configs of any type as well as ANT targets in any desired order. This makes it very easy to setup complex build processes.

• New AS3 Formatter

Even more options in the AS3 Formatter settings to configure your code style.

• Use Embed source paths relative to the src folder
• Compile progress shown in FDT Progress panel

• Launch Configurations are saved in the project by default

• Button next to Run/Debug to reset all active compiler instances

• Flex Compiler API is also used in FDT ANT tasks

• Flex SDK version compatibility restrictions deactivated

Known Issues

<fdt.startDebugger/> ANT task broken

Note:

If you’ve changed the default project types and templates, FDT will reset them after updating.

Download

• Existing FDT4 users: If you have FDT4 already you can get the latest update from the Eclipse menu item Help->Check for Updates
• New FDT4 users: If new to FDT4, you can download the latest milestone standalone installer here for a 30 days trial.
• Current FDT3 users: If you hold a FDT 3 license already, either Pure, Professional or Enterprise, you can run full FDT4 Beta features until released. Enjoy!
• New FDT 3.5 users: If you bought FDT 3.5 after 25 January 2010 FDT 4 is free for you!

Additional improvements or bug fixes in M4: bugs.powerflasher.com

Fixed Bugs

[FDT-817] – Nesting try-catch blocks render false errors for the error instance

[FDT-825] – Back References has duplicate items in Profiler

[FDT-858] – missing error warning at missing space in code

[FDT-872] – Function file import statements do not get fixed during refactoring

[FDT-881] – Launch configuration for swc library doesn’t use -external-library-path

[FDT-918] – Vector class not imported when targeting Flash 10

[FDT-921] – Missing Autocomplection after newline seprated dot.

[FDT-928] – Exporting AIR release build uses wrong Flex SDK.

[FDT-933] – Highlighting matching bracket is flickering, when making a selection by cursor keys

[FDT-940] – Problem using post-compile Ant task inside an AS3 launch profile

[FDT-990] – Init outline throws error when closing editor

[FDT-1033] – FDT Library Launcher must remove -is compiler arg when using manifest.xml

[FDT-1042] – compilation flex sdk 4.1

[FDT-1065] – Nullpointer exception when choosing “auto addd RSLS on debug” during launch

[FDT-1069] – AIR Application release broken

[FDT-1072] – Create AIR Certificate has no function anymore

[FDT-1073] – Compiler Arguments auto add carriage returns inbetween arguments

[FDT-1077] – Launching with SDK > 3.5 invokes no viewer. Halts on fcsh complete.

[FDT-1079] – FDT does not compile, after Exception is thrown

[FDT-1086] – Exception while opening project – restart of eclipse needed

[FDT-1114] – Fix Shortcut for Rename refactoring

[FDT-1115] – Automaticly fix library path of old launchers

[FDT-1116] – Organize Import always adds blank line after last import

Improvement
[FDT-124] – Add “Check All” button in Formatter preferences
[FDT-879] – ANT task for FDT Profiler
[FDT-919] – Cannot add Linked Libraries via FDT Build Path Preferences
[FDT-988] – Icons for new features in FDT 4
[FDT-1081] – Tracing a variable by typing its name with or without “;”
[FDT-1118] – Build time infos should not be red

Known Issues
Working on these issues now check our bugs.powerflasher.com

Here a small recap of some of the awesome features we’ve added in FDT 4 so far:

• Profiler
• Interactive Welcome Screen
• New SDK Management
• Project Types and Templates
• Flex 4 Support
• SDK Plug-in Program
• haXe Support

In this Milestone 4 we have focused on increasing the compilation speed, improving memory consumption and enhancing the Formatter for AS3.

Join our next FDT 4 Milestone 4 live broadcast worldwide preview this Thursday, August 12th at 9:00 am PST (6:00 pm CEST)

During this live session, we will answer any questions you might have and show you some other new features that I won’t mention here to keep it as a nice surprise.

Follow this link for the Live Broadcast
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/fdt4-m4-live-preview/v3

Please register here if you like to be reminded and add to your calendar
http://fdt4-preview-m4.eventbrite.com/

CU
@Michael_Plank

Recently a new community-project has been launched which combines most of the active FDT blogs like Aiden Tailor, Matan Uberstein, Marvin Blase, Francis Varga, Alan Klement and many others. WeLoveFDT fetches their feeds, filters them for FDT related articles and teasers them on www.welovefdt.com. This way it provides a continuously updated summary based on everything that deals with FDT in the blogosphere, so users can quickly access related news, poke around or search for a specific topic without having to fight with Google keywords.

The idea came up as more and more great articles about FDT were published and some days after people started asking where to find this and that again and who had written it – as they remembered the topic but not the blog itself. So Marvin Blase thought of how to summarize these articles without disregarding the blogs itself but to provide a self-refreshing, community based feed. With great help of Fabian Beiner this idea was quickly realised and a first version was able to launch. The idea behind this might be transferred to other topics as well – there already popped up a request for doing the same with Robotlegs or the like.

If you are blogging about FDT from time to time feel free to sign up at their “Take part” section to enlarge the pool of which articles are gathered. The more the better!

Kindisoft, makers of SecureSWF, the world’s most advanced code protection solution for Flash, announced integration of their code protection product SecureSWF with Powerflasher’s FDT product.  Additionally, both Powerflasher and Kindisoft have agreed to a marketing and technology partnership.

“Working with Kindisoft seemed a natural fit”, remarked Powerflasher CEO Carlo Blatz, “ FDT, our eclipse based flash development IDE, is the preferred choice for professional Flash/Flex developers who seek more than Adobe Flash Builder provides. We’ve found that the same professional, expert Flash developers that use FDT also have a strong interest in protecting their Intellectual Property and optimizing their flash projects. We are excited at the prospect of extending this support to help agencies and advanced users completely protect their Adobe Flash and Flex designed assets.”

Ammar Mardawi, CEO of KindiSoft agrees, “We are really excited to work with Powerflasher to provide a fuller solution to expert Flash Developers. We’ve always had the highest respect for their products, as we feel the exclusive integration of SecureSWF within FDT really gives advanced flash and actionscript developers the best options for not only creating their projects, but also protecting their creations.”

Kindisoft is offering three versions of their code protection solution for Flash. Exclusively for FDT users we can offer all versions of Kindisoft secureSWF with a discount of 10%. Follow link below for more information about secureSWF.

secureSWF offer for FDT users

NEWS UPDATE !

In addition to Gaia Online, we have a new supporter:

Organic, this means fun is guaranteed for everyone

________________________________________________________

After years of waiting an inspiring and great Flash event returns to San Francisco and we want to celebrate and share the excitement with you around FITC with CODAME

If you are a geek, designer or developer join CODAME, a San Francisco party for the tech industries greatest creative minds, packed together on a roof deck with the brightest Bay Area Art Geek regulars.

CODAME is an invitation only exclusive gathering, space is limited.
Monday, 16th of August, 2010 (day before FITC starts) at 8pm til midnight.

Final confirmation and exact location will be sent some days before the event, only to registered people.

Starpause, André Michelle and TrustFundKilla (LostScience) will be playing some tunes on the roof-top. Local art tech artist projects will be also on display.
Plus, amazing location- private roof-top downtown San Francisco – with superb view included. This event will be simply a blast !

We have some amazing local volunteers helping. If you want to help too, show your work under the stars or have a cool idea for the event. Contact me!

Powerflasher is one of the main sponsors for this event celebrating one year anniversary in USA as a Digital Interactive Development company.

We are looking for more to enhance the quality and quantity of food and drink. We would need some more sponsors to buy enough drinks and snacks for everyone, if you know someone, have an idea, Contact me!

Thank you so far for the following supporters:

Gaia Online Founded in 2003, Gaia Online is the leading online hangout for teens and young adults. More than eight million visitors come to Gaia Online every month to make friends, play games, and participate in the world’s most active online community. Gaia Online provides a fun, social environment that inspires individuality and creativity. With everything from art contests to discussion forums on poetry, politics, celebrities and more, to fully customizable profiles, digital characters and cars, Gaia Online is a place where teens can create their own space and express their individual style. They are hiring, so look out !

Organic is a leading digital communications agency that uses a consumer-empathy-based approach, combined with a holistic view of the digital landscape, to design and build exceptional interactive experiences that effectively engage and persuade customers.  Founded in 1993, Organic has offices in New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Detroit, London and Toronto.  Adweek ranked Organic as the number one interactive agency in their 2007 interactive agency report card. Organic is a part of Omnicom Group Inc.

Mypressi has become the rockstar of the espresso world with the first handheld device that can make a perfect shot of espresso with water or, more relevantly, any other liquid. They will be pulling amazing shots at the CoDaMe Party. Stop by for some super smooth ’spro-based cocktails. And remember, always code responsibly.

Influxis powers interactive Flash applications and the best parties for the community The team will have its own bar and serving very hot cool cocktails during CODAME, I hope you can handle it!

FITC knows how to build amazing flash events! FITC has been generous to support CODAME by offering major discounts if you decide to support CODAME too, we need more more drinks and food for hungry flash developers & designers.

If you think you can help, can be a supporter or should be simply invited, contact @BrunoFonzi