Flash to Flex Migration

I'm a flash programmer very interested in flex. My company
has asked me to do some research and come up with some reasons why
we should begin to implement flex. I've found many reasons online
to use flex, but no real direct comparisons to flash. I'm just
asking for compelling reasons to use flex over flash (most of our
stuff is data driven application-like stuff, so I think flex would
be a good fit). Personal experiences and examples would be great.
Thanks ahead of time
Robert

While I work for Adobe and am not completely unbiased, I'll
give you my personal experience.
I used to work for a large financial services company. Lots
of Java work going on. I picked up Flash as a way to build more
interesting web applications, leveraging Flash's remote object
capability with J2EE applications (Flash Remoting). I wrote some
interesting apps with it.
When I approached the "architects" in the group, they made a
big thumbs-down on it. Didn't matter that the programs were easier
to distribute (Flash Player vs. Java Web Start), ran faster (no
page refreshes compared to Struts/Tiles), and more interesting to
use. The problem was a) ActionScript wasn't has heavily data-typed
as Java and more prone to logic problems since it fails silently;
b) the Flash movie metaphor - not good for corporate types; c) no
easy source code control.
Along comes Flex. While Flex 1.5 had the same ActionScript 2
issues, the fact that apps could be developed in text editors (ie,
eclipse or textpad) since all the files were text and could be
stored in source code control systems, and interfaced to back-end
systems using simple, standard protocols in addition to AMF
(RemoteObject), all went a long way to making the Flash platform
more palitable. Plus, for the Java people, standard design
patterns. And I forgot to mention - much faster to create apps in
Flex than Flash.
With Flex 2 the ActionScript argument fades away. Now you
have a strongly typed language, a much better compiler, and
industry standard language. Couple that with the benefits of Flex
1.5 above, and the faster learning curve (no movie metaphor) and
Flex fits right into the corporate scene. Not to mention Flex
Builder 2 which is built as an Eclipse plugin (we sell it as a
plugin and stand-alone Eclipse IDE).
It is far easier to argue Flex vs Java than Flex vs Flash,
but for the Flash developers, you know what lies beneath the
surface.
I hope this sways your decision :-)

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Switching from Flash to Flash Catalyst/Flex

For the last few years I have been developing applications for project reporting. To explain this in simplest terms, my clients give me hundreds of reports and supporting documents, graphics, videos, etc. which I then condense and reorganize into a presentation/application in Flash. The project is then published as an .exe to be burned to CD ROM or DVD along with any supporting files and is then distributed to project stake holders, investors, etc.
I'm considering the possibility of a switch from Flash to Flash Catalyst/Flex and want to outline what my needs are, here in the forum, in hopes that others now using Catalyst/Flex can help me decide if this is an appropriate move.
Features needed:
1. Basic animation, transitions, etc.
2. Full Navigation (up to 3 levels) for up to 300 slides.
3. Keyboard navigation (PageUp/PageDown) to navigate sequentially through the entire presentation.
4. Linking into other applications and documents - Word, Excel, Power Point, etc.
5. Full Screen Mode
6. Slide Show Mode
7. Search Features
8. Slide sharing (via email)
9. Video and audio w/controls
10. Pan and Zoom w/controls (panning and zooming of graphics and .swf files)
11. Scrolling (scrolling of text, graphics and .swf files)
12. Interactive forms
Can anyone please comment specifically on these features and wether or not they are possible using Catalyst and/or Catalyst/Flex in combination.
Thank you all for any insight or suggestions.
John

With the exception of making fre-form animations (like a cartoon for example), everything you can do in Flash can be done in Flex considerably faster.
The downside is that Flex applications (especially ones designed in Catalyst) are generally larger, and consume more memory. Personally, I never publish anything made in Catalyst without optimizing it in Flash Builder first.
If the drop in operating performance isn't a deal breaker (most of the time you can't even notice it), then I would certainly consider moving to Flex going forward on new projects.

Posing a question for those well versed in flash and flex

I would like to start an off-line communication chat with those of you who are well versed in Flash and Flex.
I've worked with Cold Fusion but I am not up to date on all the technologies available. This seems like the perfect forum for this question.
I simply want to build an application (web or desktop is unknown) in which a person can learn a foreign language, in this case English.
I need some technical advice as to whether Flash, Flex, or a combination of technologies (Cold Fusion for server side functionality) is the best choice for this application. I do not understand the technical aspects of Flash or Flex in building applications so I need the advice of you experts.
As with most foreign language textbooks, audio, or foreign language video training, the material is not interesting, not pertinent to daily life, and is great for late night insomnia. I've never seen any type of foreign language training that is interesting, fun, or uses current events as part of the curriculum.
I would like to illustrate my idea with an example. I want to use an existing English beginners textbook (for kids), scan the images in the textbook, store the content (rules of grammar) in a database and store example sentences in a database.
I would like to record basic audio sentences from the textbook (Do you know tomorrow's weather), incorporate some animation (baseball player hitting a home run), incorporate some basic video (purchasing an item at the grocery store), add a quiz, test question or puzzles, etc..
In addition, since this is a classroom setting and the kids are split into groups, I would like to store a seating chart with the kids names and pictures in a database. After the first segment is finished (e.g. purchasing a toy at the store) the kids next perform an activty. I want to use a combination of audio, video, and animation to explain the activity, give instructions, split the class into groups,and perform the activity.
As I mentioned before, I would like to start an off-line discusion for those of you who are willing to share some of you knowledge and experience with both Flash and Flex. Since you are extremely busy, maybe you might be able to point me in the right direction.
Hopefully, some of you can provide some sound technical advice.
Thanks in advance
Michael Poplawski

This is an abitious project even for some-one well versed in flex/flash, i have to give you points for outstanding courage on this .
You need to cover quite a few areas in a project like this both for the client and the back end, you need a strong understanding of animation(either through code or the flash timeline), data parsing, logic trees for the quiz/test elements and a lot more before the first line of code would be written.
In Australia there are already a few companies using flex for online educational applications and at least 1 state educational Authority. A search on the internet will find several sites pertaining to flash/flex based online education software and this would be a starting point to give you an idea of the strength flex has in this area.
Beyond this it is not the sort of project that 'help' would be readily available for unless it was relating to very specific issues you could readily define. Also this is not the best forum to request this type of help as the forum is more about testing a beta product. I am sure that if you start learning about flex and have trouble understanding different aspects of how things work there will be plenty of support from the flex community.
Message was edited by: David_F57
by forum I don't mean the whole forum just this branch.

How to tell a swf file in web was made by flash or flex?

the swf file in web, how to tell it was made by Flash or
Flex? accurately!

Im not sure, but I would think that right now the main way to
tell the difference would be to find out if it requires Flash
Player 8.5 or not. Currently, Flash swfs only go to 8.0. Another
way is to look at the source of the HTML file. I notice that Flex
puts an incredible amount of code into the HTML file.
Thia

Why change from flash to flex?

hi everyone
I'd like to know why is flex a better alternative to build
RIA applications then flash itself, because i can't find anywhere
the reasons to change, since flash can do almost anything that flex
can to, so please explain it to me. thanks

Let me try a short answer: I think Adobe targets two
different audiences with Flash and Flex: Flash is the authoring
tool for the design-oriented web artist. Flex on the other hand is
a powerful IDE for the application-oriented software developer.
Since both products share ActionScript and the SWF file format I'm
sure both sides will benefit from each other in the future.

Same fonts used in Flash and FLEX are different

Fonts used in Flash and Flex differs in appearance even though they are same. It lacks the anti alias property and shows pixelated in flex even if it appears normal in flash. Please see attachment.

There can be several reasons for that. First make sure the font is embedded properly. Rotate the object and see how it looks. It is also possible that in Flex the fonts are being captured as a bitmap which can turn off AA at times.
Alex Harui
Flex SDK Developer
Adobe Systems Inc.
Blog: http://blogs.adobe.com/aharui

Flash or Flex on Android Flash 10.1

Hi
I've a question regarding the performance of the video playback of the Flash Player 10.1 on the Android 2.2 with regards to the H.264: Is the performance the same with the use of Flash or Flex? Is there a difference in performance of the resulting application if I use the Flex SDK instead of Flash?
Thx
Stefan

I dont think there is a lot of difference in the performance on using flash or flex sdk,since both convert teh video player to similar swfs that pay on same flash player

What is the "Language Reference" difference between AS, Flash, and FLEX?

I'm fairly new to the world of Flash9 / Flex2 / ActionScript3
development environment.
As I was reading through tutorial for FLEX/AS, I was
introduced to Language Reference for FLEX 2.0.
At the same time, I noticed in FLASH9 / AS3 there is also
Language Reference page. For a moment, I thought these 2 Language
Reference shared the same API / Language components.
As I have found out, when I was looking up Language Reference
for "Button" class for FLE2.0, it provided
- mx.controls.Button
But for Language Reference for "Button" class for FLASH9 /
AS3, it provided different package
- fl.controls.Butoon
Why are there 2 sets of packages for the class Button?
Shouldn't there just be one package for class Button?
thanks,
Ming

Hello,
The names can be confusing, especially since IE identifies Flash Player as Shockwave Flash Object in 'Manage Add-ons'. They are, in fact, two different programs, as noted in your Programs and Features screenshot. Flash Player plays web content created using Flash Professional, Flex, or Flash Builder (ActionScript programming language). Adobe Shockwave Player plays web content that has been created using Adobe Director. They are not interchageable. Web content created using ActionScript requires Flash Player and web content created with Adobe Director requires Shockwave Player.
More info:
Adobe Director
Adobe Shockwave Player
Flash Player | Adobe Flash Player | Overview
HTH.
Maria

Integrating Flash and Flex

Hello,
I am new to Flex but an experienced programmer. I have a Flash movie that has been saved as an .swc file. This movie shows doors open and close in response to real time events obtained through a messaging service. I would like to be able to place this movie into a flex applicaiton so that I can respond to these events. My question is, is it even possible to interact with a Flash movie clip in Flex? I was assuming that this was the whole point of Flex (Flash Builder). Am I wrong about that? Are Flex and Flash two completely different and incompatible products?

https://iamjosh.wordpress.com/2008/04/09/embedding-flash-in-flex/
Yep. You have the right idea. Flex is a framework (targeted at developers) for developing Flash applications.

AS Library for both Flash and Flex

Hi all,
I want to create an action script library that i can use with
both flash and flex. i understand how to do it if i want to just
use it in flex, but i also want it to compile down in to an swf or
whatever so i can use the functions in flash. i tried creating an
action script library, but it requires me to specify a 'runnable
application file.' which doesn't make much sense, since i just want
a class library.

Found the answer (sort of). it's only partially possible. The
best way would just to edit the as files in flex builder and not
create an actual library (though this approach doesn't work if you
need to distribute the library).
In order to do create a library, you need to create a Flex
Library Project in flex builder, not an Action Script Library. the
action script library is a misnomer.
then, when you build you have to jump through some hoops to
get it to actually work, but creating a manifest file and setting
"compute-digest=false" as a compiler option. for more info, check
out the following blog post:
http://timwalling.com/2007/10/22/compiling-flash-cs3-compatible-swcs-with-flex/

BlazeDS and Flash(not Flex or Air)

Will BlazeDS work with Flash (not Flex or Air)?
If so, are there any examples of this out on the web?
Thanks,
James

Responded to this in the Configuration and Getting Started forum so am just reposting what I wrote there. . .
Hi. I'm not sure anyone has done messaging between a Flash app and BlazeDS. I found some postings where people had gotten Flash apps to do web service calls using the rpc.swc from the Flex sdk. Not sure if these calls were going through BlazeDS as a proxy or directly to the target web service but I imagine that if they got the non-proxy case to work, the BlazeDS proxy case would work as well.
The rpc.swc also contains the client side BlazeDS messaging code so based on what I have read it seems like a Flash app should be able to use rpc.swc to talk to BlazeDS to do messaging remote object calls etc. but not sure how hard it would be to get this working.
This blog posting might help you.
http://labs.qi-ideas.com/2007/12/25/using-flex-compiled-code-within-flash
-Alex

VC 7.2 flash or flex compiler ?

I am developing VC models in NWDS 7.2, but I can see only Webdynpro UIs , how can I generate UIs in Flex and Flash kind
in VC 7.0 there are flash and flex ui compilers, but does vc 7.2 have them?

Hi,
In Visual Composer CE version (7.1 and above) there is only WebDynpro runtime, and no flex runtime. However the WebDynpro runtime also has a flex renderer. When you deploy a model, in the links you will find both WebDynpro HTML and Flex links. The WebDynpro Flex links are rendered in flash (although it's still WebDynpro runtime).
Best regards,
Tal.

Missing base class Events (flash.events) | Flex 4.1 SDK | Flex Builder 3

Hello,
I am experience the following problem, I am not able locate or find base class Events when I do "import flash.events;" - autocomplete does not work as well. in import flash. only available - flash.errors and flash.text
However if I switch from Flex 4.1 SDK to Flex 3.2 SDK then no problem and I can add flash.events
Flex 4.1 SDK version is 4.1.0.65265, I also tried Flex 4.0 SDK, the same problem not able to find events.
Require flash player version I tried both: 10.0.0 and 10.1.0 nothing helped.
Could you please suggest what might be wrong. Unfortunately not able to find this info in the forum or google
Thank you
Regards,
Marakame

Did you try
import flash.events.*;
Or
import flash.events.Event;

Will BlazeDS work with Flash (not Flex or AIR)?

Does anyone know if Blaze can work with Flash(not flex or AIR)?
If so, how? Any examples?
Thanks,
James

Hallo Russell, I'm a beginner with Flex and Flash, and I already succeeded calling the remote object with Flex. But my company requires me to use Flash (AS3). So, could you please give me an example of ActionScript code to call a RemoteObject in BlazeDs? The url? and call string? I also use Spring behind. I tried to use the url: "http://localhost:8080/myAppName" and then the call string is "myService.getList" myService is the destination in the service-config.xml getList is the method from the remote object which is a Java class. Here is the snippet from remoting-config <destination id="clasificationService"> <properties> <factory>spring</factory> <source>clasificationManager</source> </properties> </destination> and Here is the snippet from services-config:  <factories> <factory id="spring" class="com.airbus.cm.cd.controller.SpringFactory" /> </factories> <channels> <channel-definition id="channel-amf" class="mx.messaging.channels.AMFChannel"> <endpoint url="http://{server.name}:{server.port}/{context.root}/messagebroker/amf" class="flex.messaging.endpoints.AMFEndpoint" /> <properties> <polling-enabled>false</polling-enabled> </properties> </channel-definition> <channel-definition id="my-secure-amf" class="mx.messaging.channels.SecureAMFChannel"> <endpoint url="https://{server.name}:{server.port}/{context.root}/messagebroker/amfsecure" class="flex.messaging.endpoints.SecureAMFEndpoint"/> <properties> <add-no-cache-headers>false</add-no-cache-headers> </properties> </channel-definition> <channel-definition id="my-polling-amf" class="mx.messaging.channels.AMFChannel"> <endpoint url="http://{server.name}:{server.port}/{context.root}/messagebroker/amfpolling" class="flex.messaging.endpoints.AMFEndpoint"/> <properties> <polling-enabled>true</polling-enabled> <polling-interval-seconds>4</polling-interval-seconds> </properties> </channel-definition> </channels> Best regards, Raymond.

Flash to Flex Migration

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