====== FLASC ======

{{tag>project flasc}}


===== Summary =====

  * **Homepage **: [[http://flasc.org]] (offline)
  * **License **: [[http://mirror1.cvsdude.com/trac/osflash/flasc/browser/license.txt|MIT Open Source License]]

**FLASC** = FLashIDE + MTASC

FLASC is a design time Flash IDE extension that gives you a powerful GUI interface to help create and run MTASC compatible batch files.  This allows developers to compile swf's at a MUCH greater speed than with the Flash IDE (MMC).

FLASC might work for you if you answer yes to any of these scenarios:

  * You ever had an FLA from a designer that was just loaded with hard to publish assets like embedded FLV's, MP3's, bitmaps etc that took 5-10 minutes to publish.
  * You have to work in the Flash IDE out of choice or not.
  * You don't necessarily work on RIA's, but interactive/marketing sites with large teams of designers/developers.
  * With all the apps you have open, having yet another work flow like Eclipse is not really appealing.

I had a project recently where I had to make visual changes to a designer's FLA at points throughout the entire development, so I couldn't just close Flash. 

With MMC, the compile times were up in the 20+ seconds.  By that time, you're yelling at the screen and loosing concentration.  **With FLASC it was taking 1.2 seconds**.

That's right, 1.2 friggin' seconds!!  

Can I get a ROCK ON \m/ ?!?

===== Features =====

  * Create new SWF with out an FLA or use an already existing SWF’s content to compile final SWF
  * Compiles swf's in a fraction of the time it takes the Flash IDE*
  * Uses the MTASC compiler (www.mtasc.org)
  * Rich GUI aids in creating reusable batch files
  * Launch application on compile
  * View batch command
  * Pause on compile
  * MTASC compile errors show in output in IDE
  * Import/Export projects to pass to co-workers
  * Group projects
  * Flash IDE Dockable Panel

(*)changes to art assets/timelines will require you to publish your FLA with the Flash IDE, then use FLASC for any code updates.

===== Future Features =====

  * Please add wish lists!

===== Compatibility =====
  * Flash 7 - Windows Only
  * Flash 8 - Windows and Mac
  * NOTES: Because the ability to search for a folder on Flash 7 doesn't exist in the core fl object, I have to use the FileSystem.dll from Burrak.  There isn't a Mac port for this extension.  Flash8 natively included fl.browseForFolderURL() so, this functionality works on Mac.

===== Download =====

  * [[http://mirror1.cvsdude.com/trac/osflash/flasc/browser/downloads/FLASC.mxp?format=raw|FLASC ]]
  * [[http://www.mtasc.org/#download|Download MTASC]]
  * Flash 7 users - check to make sure you have the 7.2 update installed.  That update comes with the FLFile api that's needed for Flasc to work.  If you didn't do so already, you can download the update from:
[[http://www.macromedia.com/support/flash/downloads.html#flashmx2004]]

** MAC Notes ** - I've FINALLY been able to get Flasc to compile with MTASC on the Mac with [[http://www.osflash.org/flapplescript|FlappleScript]]!!  Please download the latest MXP from the link above and install over if you've already installed Flasc.  I was able to resolve the issue of closing terminal windows on the Mac after compile ;)  ROCK on.

==== Installation Notes ====
You'll need the [[http://www.macromedia.com/cfusion/exchange/index.cfm|Macromedia Extension Manager]] to install the mxp.  After installing Flasc, to view it as a panel, just open Flash IDE, go to Window>Other Panels>FLASC.  A new panel window will open with Flasc loaded.

{{http://labs.blitzagency.com/wp-content/flasc/images/window_otherPanels_flasc.png}}

The only thing you'll need is a copy of MTASC.  Go do the link provided and unzip the files into a directory on your harddrive.  Then, in Flasc properties, specify MTASC.exe's location.  Without it, FLASC will not be able to compile your SWF ;)

**NOTE** - there is a bug withe Flash IDE and custom panels.  If you install Flasc (or any other extension) and when trying to open the new panel, you can't seem to get it open or it opens a different panel, you'll need to close flash and delete the panelset.xml located:

C:\Documents and Settings\[user]\Local Settings\Application Data\Macromedia\Flash 8\en\Configuration

Restart the FlashIDE and you will now be able to open the panel.

===== Links =====

  * SVN URL: [[http://svn1.cvsdude.com/osflash/flasc]]
  * [[http://osflash.org/mailman/listinfo/flasc_osflash.org|Email List]]

===== Key Strokes =====

  * SHIFT + LMouse click: edit an existing project

===== Video/Tutorials =====

  * [[http://labs.blitzagency.com/wp-content/flasc/videos/FLASC_Intro/FLASC_Intro.html|Intro Video]]
  * [[http://www.acmewebworks.com/OSProjects/mtasc/videos/SOSample.html|Red5 SOSample setup]]
  * [[http://labs.blitzagency.com/wp-content/flasc/videos/FLASC_classpaths/FLASC_classpaths.html|Class Paths and Packages]]

===== Screenshots =====

{{ http://www.acmewebworks.com/OSProjects/mtasc/images/flasc_0.jpg }}

{{ http://www.acmewebworks.com/OSProjects/mtasc/images/flasc_1.jpg }}