Intro To Starling Framework for ActionScript 3.0

Topic
Speaker
•Samuel Asher Rivello is the principal of
Rivello Multmedia Consultng (RMC). Rivello Multmedia Consultng
(RMC) provides sofware consultng services for Adobe’s Flash and
Flex as well as HTML5 standards.
•We consult on sofware architecture for apps and for games,
advergames, and monetzed virtual worlds targetng browsers,
desktop, and cross-device mobile.
•We champion best practces, setup efcient team workfows, and
provide corporate technical training.

Agenda
•Learn the benefts and syntax of Starling for gaming

Audience
•Intermediate to Advanced ActionScript 3.0 Developers

Take-Away
•All source code and documentation will be available to attendees

info@RivelloMultimediaConsulting.com

Topic

Notice
1. Stage3D is new
2. Starling is new
3. I am new

So... features and syntax may change and my code may
not show the 'best' solutions.


Agenda

Three Sections
1. What is Stage3D?
• Benefits & Challenges
• Frameworks
2. What is Starling?
• Overview
• Implementation (Code Samples!)
3. Conclusion
• Q&A
• References


SECTION 1
What is Stage3D?


Stage3D

What is Stage3D
Figure 1

●
Stage 3D, previously codenamed "Molehill," is a method of 2D
and 3D rendering with a set of low-level GPU-accelerated APIs
●
Available for Flash Player 11.x and AIR 3.2 (iOS/Android)
●
Runs on a unique layer under the display list (See Figure 1.)

Today, you can publish the fastest Flash games ever
on the widest array of devices including iPad 3!


Stage3D

Benefits
●
With Stage3D – Render hundreds of thousands of z-bufered
triangles to be rendered at HD resoluton in full screen at 60 Hz
(instead of just 'thousands' at 30 Hz without Stage3D).
●
GPU not CPU now handles rendering so rendering is more
performant and you have more CPU power for your coding.


Stage3D

Challenges
●
The language is very low-level
(difcult* to read and write)
●
All 'sprites' must be patched
together from triangles (triangles
are the 'pixel' of 3D graphics)
●
Sprites handling mouse
gestures and using vector
graphics is not supported
* Especially compared to the (non-Stage3D) traditonal Display List


Stage3D

Sounds powerful, but hard to use...

●
True.
●
Luckily, we have some help.
●
Many frameworks exist to make our lives easier.


Stage3D

Frameworks
AS3 frameworks with Stage3D for 2D gaming;
●
Starling
●
ND2D
●
Citrus Engine (Recently Upgraded To Stage3D)
AS3 frameworks for Stage3D for 3D gaming;
●
Flare3D
●
Alternatva3D (Recently Open-Source)


SECTION 2
What is Starling?


Starling

What is Starling? – A 2D AS3 Framework for Stage3D
●
Free & Open Source – Easy to use so you can focus on your games!
●
Platorm independent – Browser, Desktop, iOS, Android, Blackberry
Tablet.
●
Amazing Performance & Familiar API -Starling is a pure ActonScript 3
library that mimics the conventonal Flash display list architecture.
●
Embraced* by Adobe – Adobe supports the development of Starling and
plans to integrate it tghtly into its tools. You get the best of both worlds:
corporate commitment and a vivid community.
* Very Interestng – This means tghter integraton with Flash Player / AIR improvements and bigger marketng muscle

for the framework. The 2D Framework with the biggest community has a distnct advantage.


Starling

Core Classes


Starling

Core Concepts
Vector (FLA) SpriteSheet (JPG)

●
Setup - The Startup.as document-class extends Sprite and composes an
instance of Game.as.
●
Starling.juggler.add (displayObject) - Required to have 'enterFrame'.
Assets
●
TextureAtlas – An instance is required for each 'asset' you want to render.
Its defned by a SpriteSheet and XML info about it. You cannot directly use
vector source assets such as Flash tmeline animaton.
●
I don't use TextureAtlas or SpriteSheets – I use a Starling extension
DynamicTextureAtlasGenerator that allows for full vector source assets.


DEMO
Let's See Starling In Action!

1. The Official Demo - http://gamua.com/starling/demo/
2. My Hello World
3. My Flyer Game (Simple Version)
4. My Flyer Game (OOP Version)


Starling

Extensions
ParticleSystem Designer Particle System In Game (FlyerGame)

●
Allow for additonal functonality within Starling projects. My favorites;
●
PartcleSystem – Generate efects like smoke & fre
●
DynamicTextureAtlas Generator – Use vector source assets


Q&A!

Three Sections
1. What is Stage3D?
• Benefits & Challenges
• Frameworks
2. What is Starling?
• Overview
• Implementation (Code Samples!)
3. Conclusion
• Q&A
• References


SECTION 3
Conclusion


References

Starling Framework

Today's Presentation (Includes All Other
Links)

http://bit.ly/IntroStarling


Thanks!

Presentation Questions
Send Questions & Comments


Consulting Inquiries (RivelloMultimediaConsulting.com)

Software Architecture, Consulting, Development, & Training.



Intro To Starling Framework for ActionScript 3.0

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Similar to Intro To Starling Framework for ActionScript 3.0

Similar to Intro To Starling Framework for ActionScript 3.0 (20)

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Intro To Starling Framework for ActionScript 3.0