Blancer.com Tutorials and projects

In this Quick Tip I’ll show you how to use the brand new Flash CS5 Code Snippets Panel to easily add keyboard and mouse interaction to your projects, without necessarily needing to learn AS3. Let’s take a look!

Final Result Preview

Here is the final result we’re gonna achieve. With the help of the Code Snippets Panel we use Click Movie Clip as a button to start animation. Also, with keyboard arrows you can move “active.tutsplus.com” logo and if you click on it, it will take you to the site. These functions are carried out with the help of the Code Snippets Panel.

Step 1: Load Project

Download the Source zip file using the link above and extract it somewhere.

Open Adobe Flash Professional then click File > Open.

Step 2: Open Source File

Select the downloaded source file “Quick_Tip_Code_Snippets.fla”.

Step 3: Set Instance Name

Here at our disposal is a Flash Banner. In order to give it some functionality we’re gonna use the new Flash CS5 Code Snippets Panel. Let’s start with “Click” Movie Clip. Choose layer “Click” and then the Movie Clip itself with the Selection Tool (shortcut V). In the Properties window give it the Instance name “Click”.

Step 4: Open Code Snippets Panel

Now open your Code Snippets Panel (if you can’t see it, go to Window > Code Snippets). Select category Timeline Navigation > Click to Go to Frame and Play. Double-click it.

P.S. Remember that before opening Code Snippets Panel the “Click” Movie Clip should be selected.

Step 5: Alter the Auto-generated Code

After that the Action panel will be opened and you’ll see some code with instructions. Let’s follow the instructions and change number 5 in the brackets to number 2. This will cause our animation to play from frame 2 if we click our “Click” Movie Clip.

I’ve added some animations to the timeline from frame 2 onwards, so you will see them play once the button is clicked.

Step 6: ActiveTuts Movie Clip

The next thing we should do is to give some functions to our ActiveTuts Movie Clip. Select it on the stage and give it the instance name “ActiveTuts”.

Step 7: Movement with Keyboard

With the Movie Clip “ActiveTuts” selected go to Code Snippets Panel > Animation > Move with Keyboard Arrows. We won’t change the default parameters of the code as they serve well. This function will allow us to move our ActiveTuts Movie Clip with the keyboard arrows.

Step 8: Clickable Link

In addition, let’s make our ActiveTuts Movie Clip behave like a link. Again with it selected go to Code Snippets Panel > Actions > Click to Go to Web Page.

You should have the following code in your Actions Panel:

Step 9: URL

Our Actions Panel will be opened and there we’ll see some instructions on how to change the URL we need. In my case I’ll change it to “http://active.tutsplus.com”.

The last thing we need is to write a stop() function at the end of the code on frame 1. After this you can preview what we’ve achieved.

Conclusion

You now know how to use the new Code Snippets Panel! It’s useful both for people who know AS3 (saves some time) and for those who begin to dive into it. It gives an opportunity to add some actions to the objects without writing a single line of code!

I hope you liked this Quick Tip and that it will help you. Thanks for reading!

You may have noticed that Cgtuts+ has been posting more Premium content over the last few months, but what exactly is Premium, how does it differ from normal content and, more importantly, how do you get your hands on it?! Well today I’m going to give you a behind the scenes look at the Tuts+ Premium system, and I’m sure you’ll love what you see!

What is Premium?

Premium content takes our regular tutorials to the next level…

Whilst we always aim to publish exciting, professional content 5 days a week here on Cgtuts+, occasionally we find a tutorial or a texture pack that simply blows us away. Whether it’s from an author well established in their specific field, or from an extremely competent artist, Premium content takes our regular tutorials to the next level, providing full scene files, references and footage; not to mention hours and hours of video training! It’s something we’re all very proud of at Tuts+ and today I’m going to show you why.

The Premium Content

Cgtuts+ is relatively new to the Premium system, but our Premium content library is growing every week, with 4 amazing Premium tutorials or files being posted every month. And we have some awesome content lined up for our Premium members!

But if you sign up today, what exactly will you find? Well Cgtuts+ has already published some AMAZING Premium content for you to view or download immediately, such as :

Ben Tate’s In-Depth Mac-10 Submachine-Gun Tutorial for 3Ds Max

Follow professional CG artist and Cgtuts+ regular, Ben Tate, as he demonstrates his entire process of modeling, UV mapping and texturing an extremely high quality Mac-10 submachine gun.

Madhan_2005′s Bugatti Veyron Modeling tutorial for Maya

Over the course of this extremely detailed 2 day tutorial series, Madhan_2005 walks us through how he modeled the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 in Maya. Not only does he cover the basic workflows involved in creating a hyper-realistic car from scratch, but he also takes a look at some of the more common mistakes that artists are prone to make when modelling extremely high-end photo-realistic cars. A very popular tutorial here on Premium!

Alvaro Castaneda’s ‘The Skateshop’ tutorial for PFTrack, After Effects & Maya

An unmissable tutorial for anyone looking to get into VFX, this detailed 3-day Premium tutorial series shows us one possible set-extention/integration workflow, moving from PFTrack for tracking, to Maya for modelling, texturing and rendering, and then finally to Maya Composite to put together the final result!

But it’s not just Cgtuts+! In addition to the awesome tutorials available as part of Cgtuts+ Premium, when you sign up you also get access to all of the premium tutorials from the rest of the Tuts+ sites! In total, that’s currently a staggering 374 tutorials and 841 source files – and that figure is rising every day!

So how much does all of this cost? You can sign up to Premium today for only $9 a month!

That’s just $9 to get instant access to all of the tutorials we have available! $9! That’s 374 tutorials, 841 source files and exclusive content for about the price of a single movie ticket! Or if you’d prefer, you could choose to pay just $22 for 3 months (saving $5), or $78 for an entire year (a saving of $30!) And if for any reason you decided it’s not for you, you’ll get a full refund if you let us know in your first month. We cannot say fairer than that!

Signing up for Premium allows you to show your support for both Cgtuts+ and the Tuts+ network

Need one more reason to sign up?

In a word, support. Signing up for Premium, even if only for a month, allows you to show your support for both Cgtuts+ and the Tuts+ network, which in turn allows us to spend a little more on making sure we can provide you with better and better tutorials. I have big plans for both the free and paid tutorials on Cgtuts+, and essentially, the more Premium subscribers we get, the easier it becomes for us to ensure it happens! Now don’t worry, there will always be incredible free tutorials, but if you can sign up, we think you’ll really love it!

So, why not give it a go!

A Sneak Peek and a Premium Giveaway!

Watch the following video to get a look inside the Premium system, and to get some details of an exciting Premium giveaway, with winners to be announced next week!

Like what you’ve seen? Want immediate access? Sign up here!

Don’t miss more CG tutorials and guides, published daily – subscribe to Cgtuts+ by RSS.

(Editor’s Note: This article is the first in a data backup and sync series here on WorkAwesome.)

Backing up your data. It’s common sense, right? You should backup your data as often as possible. Simple, isn’t it? Yet everyday we hear horror stories of people losing important information because their laptop was stolen, computer was hacked or a hard drive failed.

So, while you know that data should be backed up, it is important that you setup automated processes so that it is done behind the scenes every day. Keep in mind that losing data means a huge loss in productivity (apart from mental stress). You don’t want your hard work to go waste, right?

It is also important to keep your data synchronized across all the devices you use. This is the era of iPads and Androids. All these devices are capable of doing almost everything a computer can do. It is very likely that we have important information stored in them.

Keeping data in sync serves two purposes:

1. It eliminates the dependency on one particular device for accessing data that matters.
2. It adds a layer of safety to your data because now it’s present at multiple locations.

What Should You Backup

1. Files and Folders in Your Computer

To start with, we need to get the files and folders stored on the hard disk backed up to a different location. Just relying on the internal hard disk, which is vulnerable to crashes, isn’t prudent.

2. Bookmarks

Browser bookmarks ae important personal data too. Don’t forget that if your computer goes down, it takes all your browsers along with it. That would mean your bookmarks getting deleted too. So backing them up is important. Here are some bookmark sync methods we’ve already discussed at WorkAwesome.

3. Browser Preferences

Along with the bookmarks, browser preferences like extensions, passwords, customized options etc should also be backed up. In fact, if you have your browser data backed up and synchronized with an online service, you could quickly get them in a browser on another computer and then browse in your own, familiar environment.

4. Passwords

If you store the passwords of your online accounts in your browser then the points 2 and 3 apply. If you are using a password manager, make sure it’s a good one. I’d also recommend you remember some of the main passwords, like password of your Gmail account.

5. Credit Card & Account Numbers

What about the offline stuff like credit cards and bank accounts, for example? Isn’t it better to have a record of all those numbers stored somewhere safe ?

6. Emails

What’s the need to backup emails? Aren’t they already backed up by the email service providers?

Well, in cases like Gmail and Yahoo Mail they are. But still, it’s good to have a copy somewhere else, just in case your email acocunt is blocked or compromised. And for those who are on hosted email solutions which comes with a webhost, you’d want to back them up always.

7. Your Twitter & Facebook Data

If you’ve spent a significant part of your life updating your Twitter and Facebook statuses, then it might be wise to backup some of that data as well.

8. Business Data

Whether you own an offline or an online business, data backup should be a priority. Like, if you own a website like me, you should ensure that it’s backed up.

9. Cellphone Data

Your cellphone contacts, messages and other such stuff is important too. Back them as a safe measure in case you lose your phone.

Things to Keep In Mind Before Choosing a Tool

There are data backup solutions galore. All kinds of tools can be found that promise foolproof backup. So how do you choose? Here are some points to consider:

1. Does it Sync?

As I mentioned earlier, you should not just backup – you should sync as well. So, check out if the backup solution you want to go for has a sync option. If it does, survey how well it works.

2. Is Restoring Easy?

This is a fundamental problem with a huge number of backup services. While they make the backup process a cakewalk, restoring it in case your data is lost is a herculean task. Most of them make the restore process too complicated. Keep this factor in mind when narrowing down choices.

3. Is Support Available?

Finally, what if something goes wrong with the backup? What if the tool stops working? Is there a support option available in the form of email, chat or may be a forum where you can find people using the same tool? If it’s a paid tool, this option is usually there. For free tools, you’ll probably have to rely on tech forums.

Next time:  I’ll discuss the best tools available to get the backing up and syncing jobs done.

At the start of every month, we’ll be rounding up the best posts from the business network of blogs and directing you to them. Here’s the best of business in July, including articles fromthe Netsetter, FreelanceSwitch and right here at WorkAwesome.

The Netsetter

50 Netsetters You Should Know About

There are thousands of people operating many sorts of online businesses around the world, but we couldn’t tell you about them all. So we’ve narrowed it down to fifty.

How to Choose a Domain Name That Works

One of the first things you need to do when launching a new web business is choose a domain name for your website. Having your own domain name gives you the ability to brand your business website and will help create a long-lasting asset for your business. The process of coming up with a domain name is fun and creative, and is also the first step in announcing your business to the whole world.

Site Review: Create an Ecommerce Store in 15 Minutes with Vendr

Vendr promises that, using its tools, you can have a store added to your existing website in less than fifteen minutes. It offers a store that will work with an existing website, without requiring a knowledge of HTML or CSS. But does it deliver?

13 Ways to Better Monetize Your Blog Posts

Making money by blogging is difficult, but it isn’t impossible. If you do what successful bloggers did, work hard and give it the time it takes, there’s no reason why your blog shouldn’t make money. Here are the 13 keys to making money from your blog, according to me.

Why Outsource?

When it comes to owning a successful small business, one of the hardest things proprietors face is dealing with all work that comes with wearing all the hats. As a sole proprietor or even in a partnership, it can be very difficult for business owners to relinquish any control, especially to someone they have never met.

WorkAwesome

The Complete Guide to Going Paperless

There are a lot of reasons to go paperless – other than being able to label yourself as an “environmental crusader.” Abhijeet Mukherjee outlines not only why you should go paper-free, but what tools and tricks you’ll need to get there.

Managing Your Personal Brand Online

While putting your best foot forward in the real world is still a great thing to keep in practice, your online persona needs to be managed with the same kind of care and due diligence. This article by Georgiana Cohen is chock full of tips to make sure you’re as well-groomed online as you are offline.

4 Simple Steps for Letting Go of Stress

Sarah Nagel offers some helpful ideas on how to step back and relax during the hustle and bustle of our busy lives. With just 4 simple steps you can go from “ticking stress bomb” to “pure inner calm” in no time.

Music at Work: Necessity or Nuisance?

Music is a great motivator for some and a massive hindrance for others, while some can just take it or leave it. Sara Hodon explores the “ifs and whens” of the music-productivity partnership.

Inspirational Quotes for Work

There are plenty of ways to get motivated – or inspired – and while music is what does it for some, others find that words of wisdom and insight does the trick for them. Bob Bessette shares some of his favorite inspirational quotations and how each has impacted his life.

FreelanceSwitch

Permalancing: Full Time Freelancing

A growing trend for some companies is to hire freelancers for a full 40 hours (or occasionally more) per week. These freelancers have to show up to the office on time, handle whatever work is on the agenda, work on an indefinite basis and generally act like employees.

What is Your Ideal Client Profile?

The ideal client profile is simply a very clear description of the type of client you would love to have more of. It may be an exact replica of a client you’re working with today. Or it could be a combination of qualities you’ve seen in past and current clients.

The Swiss Cheese Method of Project Scheduling

One of the things that comes along with the freelance life, especially early in the game, is a “feast or famine” cycle, both in terms of revenue, and in terms of time. Sometimes you are scrambling to keep up with your work, pulling all-nighters to keep several projects on track. Two weeks later you have little to keep you busy.

6 Personal Productivity Tools Guaranteed to Up Your Game

We at FreelanceSwitch have offered many tips to increase your productivity, but these tips can only take you so far. Sometimes you just need a good tool or two to keep you on the right track. Here are some personal productivity tools guaranteed to enhance your performance.

You Know You’re a Freelancer When…

Here’s a celebration of all the ways we are uniquely freelancers… set apart from our cubicle counterparts, yet aware that we are perhaps still not so different. Or are we? Enjoy!

Nowadays, with photos on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, even individual blog comments, you’re often judged based on your avatar. That postcard-sized picture says a lot about you. Depending on the image you choose, you might come off as professional or playful, creative or cookie-cutter, silly or somber.

Due to privacy concerns, some people opt for a symbol (a typewriter for a writer, a gavel for a lawyer) instead of a photograph. Others choose a cartoon alter ego or some sort of artistic representation (for instance, a close-up of the just the eyes or a silhouette). Still others use an actual photo, whether it’s a professional headshot, a candid photo snapped by a friend, or a self-portrait courtesy of an iPhone.

I use a photo taken by a photographer friend. We staged a photo shoot at a local writer’s space to create a literary vibe, also incorporating props like my laptop and books plucked from the shelves to reflect my love of words.

How did you choose your online image? What sort of impression did you want to create?