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;
- Papervision3D, the 3D engine for Flash;
- Bulk Loader, for loading assets in bulk by Arthur Debert;
- 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 use 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.