Tools & Libraries

AS3 Libraries

I use the following third-party AS3 libraries:

• RobotLegs is now my preferred application framework;
• as3signals improves upon the native event model;
• ASUnit, an ActionScript unit-testing framework;
• Data Structures, useful data structures from Michael Baczynski, of Polygonal Labs;
• Motor2, a Physics Library, also from Michael Baczynski, of Polygonal Labs;
• gTween Library by Grant Skinner for tweening;

I have used these libraries in the past, and would consider doing so again in the future:

• Papervision3D, 3D engine for Flash;
• WebServices, for communicating with webservices, by Pieter Michels;
• Flare, a Flash Data Visualisation library.

Flash Optimiser

• Apparat, a Flash optimiser by Joa Ebert

Java Libraries

I have used the following Java libraries:

• SmartFox Server, a socket-server with AS3 integration built-in;
• Hibernate for creating persistent objects on the server-side;
• phys2D, a Java port of Box2D for physics;

Tools

GIT is my preferred version control system.

• GitHub – I like it so much, I’m even giving them a little money each month so I can store private repositories.
• OS X GIT Prompt by Shaun Smith aka @darscan, for setting up terminal to help with GIT

AS3 Coding Environment

• Adobe Creative Suite for design and asset management.
• Eclipse, a coding environment for Java, PHP, and AS3;
• FDT Eclipse Plugin, a superior AS3 editor.

Interesting Projects

Things I want to use but haven’t had the chance to yet:

• Project Darkstar, an amazing-looking framework project for persistent virtual worlds, social media and online games.

Testing Environment

• This is an interesting resource for learning about unit-testing: misko.hevery.com/presentations/
• On PC, Firefox is the obvious browser of choice, though of course I keep Internet Explorer kicking around to sanity check CSS and HTML on occasion.
• For firefox, Firefox Throttle can be useful to check the Flash experience for users with low bandwidth.