TIGSource Forums

Hey guys,

I need some help.

Me and a friend have decided to undertake a game making project, and see if we have the chops to make something.

We've decided to use Flixel as a starting point, however I am quickly finding that getting it up and running properly is beyond my capacity, especially on the Mac platform.

I have experience with Game Maker and other WYSIWYG engines, so I am unfamiliar as to how to set up a program to start coding. As far as I've heard, Eclipse is potentially useful, and contrary to my belief, getting Flash CS5 working with flixel is not very easy. I'm not used to pure coding as a method of getting a game up and running, and I'm wondering of the best way for me to access the Flixel framework. I'm a little lost and it's all over my head.

So in short, I'd like to know:

What is the best (free) program to tackle coding while using the flixel framework?

Alternatively, where can I find out exactly how to integrate Flixel into the Flash CS5 framework so that I can access it?


Again, my core coding experience is in CSS and Game Maker, using either notepad or GML. So if there is a program that will ease the transition, I'd be happy to know about it.

i'm not sure what flash development platform people use on mac -- i just googled it and flashdevelop doesn't seem to exist for mac (it's what i used for windows) although they are considering a port of it

have you considered running dual-boot on your macbook so that it also can run windows? since flash works on either mac or windows you could code it in windows and play it on mac just as easily

also: ask increpare. he uses a mac and develops in flash, he'd know what to do

The flex compiler for flash is written in Java, I'm pretty sure it works on Macs, if CS5 doesn't work. Without a IDE, you might find it quite a step from Game Maker, but someone else can probably recommend a good tutorail

I'm working on a game in Flixel 2.5 using a Mac but my setup isn't for everyone: MacVim (text editor) and command-line mxmlc (AS3 compiler). I would use Flash Builder but I'm holding a grudge against Eclipse for the time being. I've posted a link to a great tutorial below if you're interested in using a text editor (MacVim has syntax coloring but no documentation plugin that I've been able to find) and the command-line compiler.

http://gamedevlessons.com/lessons/mxmlc-tut/index.html

Flash Builder is free for non-commercial use. It kinda takes a while to get a license, but it's definitely the best option. It took a little less than two weeks for Adobe to email me my cd-key. Flixel can also be used in Xcode, but it takes quite a bit of work setting it up.

Hey guys, thanks.

One other question: I've been told to (and my programmer knows how to) work in Javascript. Is there something that could handle Actionscript and then move on to javascript/ multiplatform game making? Or is this question a little bit too ahead of myself?


So there's no way to use Flash Professional to work in Actionscript/Flixel for gaming?

It wasn't designed to be run on the Flash IDE. According to this thread (http://forums.flixel.org/index.php?topic=2474.0), however, it's possible to get it working by tweaking FlxGame.

There's a good chance that haXe will make you squeal with joy. It's a multiplatform language that can be compiled to a .SWF, .JS, or a variety of other file formats. http://haxe.org/

If you're looking for something more fleshed out, look into Unity 3D if you haven't already? One of the scripting languages it supports is Javascript.

Hey guys! Thanks for the help, I've decided to pick up FlashBuilder, it's the best there is for Mac, so it's worth it.

My next question is this:

I'm building assets in Flash CS5 now (looping animations, playing fields, titles, etc) and am wondering if anyone knows of an easy way for me to convert those to usable assets for my coder? He's working in Flixel and is pretty capable of doing that stuff, so I'm focussed on building all the assets. I'm now at a point where I don't know how to get the actionscript version of what he needs in order to implement.

Any flash developers out there, or someone who knows of a helpful tutorial, please send it my way :)

Thanks!

still need some help here guys. I want to be able to contribute to coding, and at least know how to set up my files for use in flixel. Any tips or tutorials you can direct me to?

As far as exporting assets is concerned, this should be pretty basic for the Flash IDE. There should be an Export->Export Image option in the main File menu. That will give you the option to export your graphical assets as a JPG, GIF, or PNG. For most alpha-blended sprites you are going to want to use PNGs. Flixel is designed for pixel graphics, so you are going to want to stick to those for your exporting. Importing SWFs is not going to be a viable option.

For larger static images you will want to export them with the boundaries of the graphic itself. With the animations, you are going to want to reduce the Flash file's boundaries down to the square area for the animation, and export the bounds of the entire document. Export the animation as a series of static images, and then stitch them together into a single sprite sheet.