Categories
AS3 FDT Flash

FDT and ANT – part 2

Trying to build the ultimate build.xml in ANT: debug/production zip ftp version … etc: will save a lot of keystrokes in FDT4

source: http://twitter.com/MatthijsKamstra/statuses/25194997777

All the information about the ultimate build.xml can be found on the internet, so I will post the links and you can figure it out for yourself.

I used the build.xml made by Jankees van Woezik (Base 42) as the base of my ultimate ANT build file. You can read about it and download here: My workflow with ANT and FDT.

Because we work a little bit different I had to do some modifications (for example: I work with 2 swf: preloader.swf and main.swf and work on PC). I created a list of stuff that I wanted to do with ANT and behind the “wish” you find a link to the site I found the solution for the problem:

  1. base ant script >> http://blog.base42.nl/2009/12/11/my-workflow-with-ant-and-fdt/
  2. inspiration >> http://code.google.com/p/sekati/source/browse/trunk/build.xml
  3. install ftp protocol in fdt/eclips >> http://www.rumblingskies.com/blog/?p=75
  4. update version ant script >> http://github.com/base42/projectcreator/blob/master/original/flash/builders/ant/updateVersionFile.xml
  5. another update ant script >> http://www.sephiroth.it/weblog/archives/2010/01/update_your_app_version_using_ant_bui.php
  6. update Firefox (only works on OSX) >> http://epologee.com/blog/2009/focus-and-reload-pages-in-firefox-with-ant/
  7. html wrapper >> http://fdt.powerflasher.com/blog/?p=1392
  8. create folders >> http://code.google.com/p/sekati/source/browse/trunk/build.xml

Something like this needs some time to find its place in my workflow, and will be changed a lot. That is the reason why I’m not posting my ant file… not because it’s ugly or a secret… but because I need to refine it. 

Oh… I also have a small todo list (perhaps you could call it a nice-to-have-list)

As you can see, these are the thing that I don’t need a lot, but perhaps in the nearby future…


FTP (File transfer protocol)

Ant doesn’t have the FTP protocols default installed so you need to update FDT4/Eclipse.
You can find the explanation here: http://www.rumblingskies.com/blog/?p=75

Update #1:The locations of the files you need are changed so let me post the correct ones here:

Save these files in the following folder: C:\FDT\plugins\org.apache.ant_***\bin\

Update #2: hmmm jakarta-oro seems to be Retired… and I haven’t got time to figure this out right now…

You probably can add the zips you downloaded there, I extracted the two files and that worked for me. I did this in FDT4 and all I got was an alert about “The specified Ant runtime classpath does not include a tools.jar library…..” which I ignored (and without any problem).

After the installment of the two .JAR files you need an ANT script to get thing started which I just copied from the previous link:
[as light=”true” wraplines=”true”]
<target name="ftp_upload" description="uploads files through ftp">
<echo message="uploading files" />
<ftp server="123.456.78.90"
port="21"
remotedir="/www/ant_upload_test"
userid="my_user_id"
password="my_password"
passive="no"
depends="yes"
binary="yes">
<fileset dir="../bin" />
</ftp>
</target>[/as]


Update version

It’s a combination of writing a build.txt file and a Version.as file.
See what Jankees van Woezik did and I use the script from Sephiroth to have a building number that adds 1.


Firefox refresh

this feature is awesome in combination with ftp, so here the one who found the how: Eric Paul (epologee). Read more about it here: focus-and-reload-pages-in-firefox-with-ant

So downloaded the file, installed the firefox extension and gave it a run:
[as light=”true” wraplines=”true”]
<target name="focus Firefox and reload page">Execute failed: java.io.IOException: Cannot run program "open" (in directory "C:\foo\bar\test"): CreateProcess error=2, Het systeem kan het opgegeven bestand niet vinden
[/as]

After some googling, I found that it’s a OSX command that doesn’t work on Windows:

[as highlight=”1″ light=”true” wraplines=”true”]
<target name="focus Firefox and reload page">
<exec executable="open">
<arg line="-a Firefox" />
</exec>
<exec executable="flash/tools/fresno/fresno">
<arg line="-j ‘content.location.reload()’" />
</exec>
</target>[/as]

I haven’t found a solution that refreshes the page like Fresno does on Windows.
So the only thing I can think of is:

[as light=”true” wraplines=”true”]
<target name="Launch in Firefox (reload)">
<echo>Launch in Firefox (not really a reload)</echo>
<exec executable="H:/Program Files/Mozilla Firefox/firefox.exe" spawn="yes">
<arg line="${flashproject.preview.url}" />
</exec>
</target>
[/as]


Html wrapper

I changed the file a little bit (removed the history) not really difficult.


Folders

You get the idea….

(reminder for myself: http://fdt.powerflasher.de/docs/FDT_Ant_Tasks)

Categories
Design Urban papercraft

Papertoy monsters poster

Castleforte posted a promotional poster for the “50 papertoy monsters” book which will be released very soon.

Castleforte: here is a sneak peak of all 50 monsters from my new, soon to be released book, “50 papertoy monsters”. thanks to workman publishing for this wonderful, promotional poster. enjoy!

This is a freaking awesome book!!! what a beautifull set of papertoys
50 Papertoy Monsters

My monsters are “Squidbeak” (third row, first one) and “Scorpion Robot” (fourth row, third papertoy).

Preorder at Amazon

Categories
Design Urban papercraft

WIP Papertoy: MacTen

My latest papertoy Revolvrr is a great success (at the moment of writing this blog: 1731 downloads)! So what should I do with that knowledge?
Nick Knite suggested that I should make a “Urban protection series”.

I thought about it…. and I think he’s right!
So here a little progress: based upon a MAC 10 here is my papertoy version MacTen.

Original “blueprint” of the MAC10

and my first build (WIP)

And after my first build, I realize that there needs to be a lot of changes to make it as fun as the Revolvrr.
So back to the drawing board, and make it more fun 😀

The model is not ready for download, but let me know how bad you want it (make a comment!!!) and you will be the first (!) to know.
Oh and when your busy commenting, tel me also what should be part (weapons like a Rambo knife, grenade, ….) of the “Urban protection series”!

Categories
Design Urban papercraft

Revolvrr papertoy

I have been busy… Not really with my papertoys

But this one is just so you don’t forget me:
Say hello to my little friend

Revolvrr is a papertoy that I made as a part of an other papertoy.

Nick Knite and Dolly Oblong advised me to share it with you. So here it is: it’s only a blank version because it just doesn’t need more.

The .ZIP file contains a .PDF
(You can use freeware like FilZip or 7zip to extract a .ZIP-file and read a .PDF with Acrobat or Foxit)

There was some room left on the template so I made a bullet for the Revolvrr 😀

Update #1: in 48 hours more than 500 downloads. Everybody needs protection. So don’t bring a scissor to a papertoy fight!
Update #2: in 6 days more than 1000 downloads. Throw your guns in the air.
Update #3: 12 days and 1400 downloads. To protect and serve…

Tip from Methuup da Funky One: Glue the curved piece of the cylinder in first, apply glue and push the 4 half moons with the tabs which form the top and bottom of the cylinder from the inside into place.

Update #3: the first Revolvrr customs are here:

70’s Lurrv Gun – Methuup da Funky One custom
custom by Methuup da Funky One

Water Pistol ‘Revolver’ – Jason Bolt custom
Water Pistol 'Revolver' - Jason Bolt custom

Revolvrr custom – Anonymous
Revolvrr custom - Anonymous

Revolvrr custom – George McKnight
Revolvrr custom - George McKnight

How to do this?

The first you need is a piece of paper with a print/pattern on it. Try Google for a pattern.
You can buy paper with a print on it but you can also use a page from a comic/magazine/flyer.
After that you just print the blank template on it.

Oh no!!!

The first papertoy suicide? A sad way to end your birthday… how will this end…
And remember: Revolvrr’s don’t kill people, scissors do!

Deksta having a morbid sence of humor
(No papertoy fan(s) where hurt during this photo session)

Categories
Uncategorized

Twitter updates on my blog will be removed

If you want to see what I’m doing (on Twitter) follow me. But I will not update my weekly tweets here anymore (and remove the once that are here).

It looks kinda ugly, I thought it would be better then posting nothing for weeks in a row.. but it’s not ðŸ™

Follow MatthijsKamstra on Twitter

Categories
Design Urban papercraft

Papertoy diamond ring

A papertoy that I did a while back.

Papertoy diamond ring

This papertoy is a gift for someone who creates jewelry (check out the quick website I did for her: Smederij in Amsterdam).

She complains that nobody gives her jewelry. So I created a BIG-diamond ring 😀

Papertoy diamond ring + box

Visit my Flickr account for more images

Categories
Design Urban papercraft

Papertoys Monsters

I finished this models a while back, but never posted about them…
really sad that I didn’t because they are awesome 😀

Scorpion Robot
Scorpion Robot

OctoBeak
Monster OctoBeak

They are papertoy monster made for the Monsterbook by Workman Publishing Co.
You can preorder it at Amazon:

Papertoy Monsters: Make Your Very Own Amazing Papertoys! .

There are 50 monsters in this book made by 25 designers. We were given the task to create monster papertoys on one piece of paper, with double-sided prints. They also asked to do some “classic” monster: I did a robot and a fictional monster.

Check my flickr account for more images!

Categories
AS3 FDT Flash

Create SWC library from FDT

I use Greensock Tweening Platform a lot, it awesome. Download it (here for example) and you have everything you need.

Now I start working with SWC files and they are so compact: I love it.
But how do you get a library in a SWC? Google has an answer but it’s very complex.

The best answer is from Bruno Fonzi on

Twitter / Bruno Fonzi: How to create SWC librarie ….

How to create SWC libraries from FDT:
Right click Project > Run as > FDT Library
or
Menu > Run Configurations > Create new FDT Library

So start with a New Flash Project (the name you will use for this project will be the name of the SWC: in my case “Greensock_Tweening_Platform”) and copy the com folder from the Greensock ZIP into the src (of source) folder.

If you follow the instructions and create a SWC you will get an error about: UIComponent and Vector (depends on your Project properties).

So to fix this: follow the 2 red x’s

com > greensock > loading > display > FlexContentDisplay
I don’t use this one, so delete.

The next depends on the project properties (I used SDK: Flex 3.3 and Player Version 9 and there are no Vectors in Player version 9)
com > greensock > plugins > EndVectorPlugin
I can’t use this one, so delete this on too.

Create the SWC again and your done: you have one file with the Greensock Tweening Platform in it.

Categories
AS3 FDT Flash

FDT and ANT – part 1

Just started to work with FDT and wrote about my “troubles” (post#1 and post#2) with my transition from FlashDevelop.
(have to be very carefull what I say: “they” are watching me: here and here 😀 )

And it seems to be a very natural (geeky) thing to learn about ANT.

And where do you go to learn about ANT and SWF/Flash/FDT? (Google?)
After some tinkering all I got was: failed to create task or type fdt.launch.application

This post was very useful: FDT and ANT | A User’s Guide – Part I by Alan Klement.
Watch the videos (I’m not very fond of tutorial videos but in this case; they get the job done).
What I love about the “Video I: Getting Started” is the fact that it builds up from scratch. So watch this video when you want to know about ant-files/xml, how to open the ANT-View, how to open/execute an ANT-file.

The second video (Video II: Compiling a SWF) was what I really was looking for: how to export a SWF. Very nice because it starts from scratch.
And it gave me the answer I was looking for: why didn’t my ANT-file didn’t work (it about 3/4 of the video):

BUILD FAILED
[blabla]\source\a\example\build\build.xml:17: Problem: failed to create task or type fdt.launch.application
Cause: The name is undefined.
Action: Check the spelling.
Action: Check that any custom tasks/types have been declared.
Action: Check that any / declarations have taken place.

Solution is very simple, but if you don’t know, you will hate FDT and really it’s not it fault:
Goto the green “play” button with the brown bag, in the toolbar (one picture says more than a thousand words:)

Select the ANT-file you want to change (I have only one :D), goto to tab “JRE” and change the Runtime JRE to Run in the same JRE as the workspace and your done:

Very useful are the ANT-snippets and ANT-Build-template!
Download (created by Alan Klement) and “install” the ANT-template (how-to on this page but here the short version)

To add XML files templates go: Preferences > XML > XML Files > Editor > Templates and click import.

To add Ant snippets go: Preferences > Ant > Editor > Templates and click import.

I haven’t seen the second part of this tutorial: FDT and ANT | A User’s Guide – Part II but I will.
It seems to be focused on the use of the templates and snippets.

source:
FDT and ANT | A User’s Guide – Part I
FDT and ANT | A User’s Guide – Part II

Categories
FDT Flash

Missing in FDT after working with FlashDevelop

I love FlashDevelop but moved to FDT (read my other post about this subject)…
Not an easy thing (the biggest problem is that it totally not intuitive ) to do and I’m missing some stuff that I had in FlashDevelop.

CTRL+U to change the selected text to uppercase

Update #1: I have found it:
ToUpperCase = CTRL+SHIFT+X
ToLowerCase = CTRL+SHIFT+Y

CTRL+SHIFT+1 to “Promote member to class”

(there is a similar way to do this in FDT but not the same)

CTRL+SHIFT+Q to create a block comment
It is in FDT but I can’t get it to work so you have to work with CTRL+7 (toggle comment) which is a minor adjustment.

The auto-completing FlashDevelop is awesome!! With some tinkering (info here) you can get FDT in the same room but it’s still not the same. I’m used to write private variable with a prefix “_” (example: _variableName). When I want the variable name to autocomplete in FlashDevelop I just type variableName (without the “_” prefix because it stupidly positioned on the keyboard) and it will find it. In FDT you need to start with the prefix “_” otherwise it will ignore the variable name… why???

Also missing: Explore (Open “Project Manager” and right-click on a folder)
(can’t find it in FDT)

But I shouldn’t complain, there is a reason why I’m changing to FDT

Big plus from FDT:
CTRL+SHIFT+F to Format code which is not possible in Flashdevelop
SWC Browsing is limited in FlashDevelop
Cross Platform: FlashDevelop works only on Windows
Refactor: this is so awesome (and expensive!!!)

source:
http://blog.flashmech.net/2008/08/review-fdt-vs-flashdevelop/