Flash Rollover Button....... PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!!!!!

[Cubba27]

Hey all,

Here’s the problem, I’ve got a flash project due at the end of the month and I’ve been trying desperately to make a rollover button. The button is supposed to on rollover cause text ‘Home’ to slide out from underneath a graphic and on rollout retract back to its original position. I’ve tried everything within my ability, although my flash skills are extremely limited. I’ve tried forums, tutorials, asking my teacher… but what I find to be unbelievable is the fact that I’m expected to produce a flash product yet my teachers don’t even know what they are teaching. I literally have exhausted all of my resources and now I’m getting extremely worried as the deadline is soon to come. Please can some one give me a guide, step by step process to making this? Any help will a huge help. I’ve linked a image to try and illustrate what I want the button to do:

http://img135.imageshack.us/my.php?image=rolloverum9.jpg

[clbeech]

sure - this is not terribly complex - what you need here are button handlers and the Tween class. which version of AS are you wanting to work with 2 or 3?

[Cubba27]

i'm using ActionScript 2.0 at the moment

[clbeech]

ok - here's a basic example of using a handler and a tween - the values for your objects will differ however. also the construction of the 'button' will make a difference. I would create a MC (movieclip) from the graphic and the text, double click to go into edit mode - separate the two items onto different layers (obviously the 'text' behind the graphic 😉 then lock the graphic layer. make it 'invisible' in the timeline (click the 'eye' icon' on that layer) select the text, convert it to a symbol (MC) now with the 'new' text MC selected look in the properties panel, give the text the instance name of "homeTxt" - now return to the main timeline, with the MC selected give it the instance name "homeBtn" - there's going to be 'more' here, you need to set up a 'mask' to show the text only on the right but lets get to that after you have done some of this work.

now you have the pieces set up. now for the code. in the main timeline, create a new layer, call it "actions" - select the first frame and open the actions panel. here is where we'll place all your codes. then input the following:

[clbeech]

I've taken a moment here to construct an example of this in action - sometimes a 'picture's worth 100 thousand words' 🙂 so you can DL it from HERE

[Cubba27]

kk, done that... well i fink i've done it right just one thing what did you mean here 'now return to the main timeline, with the MC selected give it the instance name "homeBtn"'? that fla you linked was an 'unexpected file format'

[clbeech]

ok - what version of Flash do you have - I'll publish the file down for you - you also need to 'unzip' the file of course, but your computer should either prompt you do do so, or just do it for you.

[Cubba27]

i'm running on the rather dated Flash 8, yer i'm good for using a computer just i can't get a grasp on flash. also tyvm for thaking the time to do this dude 🙂

[clbeech]

hey np - everyone has to start somewhere right ;)

ok - I'll publish down a version for you quick - gimme a few - it'll just be easier for you to 'see' it than all the type necessary to explain - once you have that though I can answer question about it.

[clbeech]

ok - here's a Flash 8 version for you - HERE

[Cubba27]

Ok so.... from what i can tell i've got to make two layers Actionscript and Buttons. then i have to import the grapic convert to a MC and then add three layers within the MC, graphic, mask and text am i following so far?

[clbeech]

yes that's right - did you test the file (Ctrl+enter) to view it in action?

[clbeech]

LMAO! there may have been an 'inadvertent' checkbox component on the stage LOL! - was testing something else for someone - you can just ace it 🙂

[Cubba27]

yer i checked it out and thats exactly what i need. and yer i thought the check box was a mistake lol

[clbeech]

lol great, let me know if you have more questions.

[Cubba27]

yer was jus going to ask i have a few more graphics to create the same type of button, i'll try adapt the file you sent through... but just incase how would i go about doing that?

[Cubba27]

damn, i've hit a snag. basically i'm doing my project in relation to the iPod touch so i'm using their icons to make the buttons and i've got the perfect shape for my button but i had to mask it to get it the exact shape i wanted it, now its not working though. i'm sorri to ask yoo but would you mind taking a look for me please? i've linked it below

http://www.mediafire.com/?dumzjmejz4m

[clbeech]

ok - found the issue: in the Tween code - the 'second to last' parameter is set to -14 this parameter defines the 'time' in frames so it needs to be a positive number.

other than that, it's looking good - however i do think that I would take the 'mask' for the graphic and place it within the MC rather than on the main timeline.

[clbeech]

to your other question though - yes, you can 'duplicate' the symbol in the Library giving it a 'different' name - drag the new instance to the stage and you can then 'change' things about it - don't forget to give it a different 'instance name' as well - you will also need to 'duplicate' the textfield MC as well and give it a different name - what you will find if you do not is that if you change one 'instance' (like type contact rather than home) is that'all' instance will change to the new text - must create a 'separate' clip for each item. then duplicate the code for the calls, and target the new instance names and adjust the values.

[Cubba27]

man thank you sooo much, am sorri i've bugged you all night. you have been such a help i can't thank you enough

[clbeech]

dude - np you're welcome 🙂 now you can tell your teachers what they should already know... LOL!!! jk