Flash has always been a powerful and easy to use tool for graphics, animation and interactivity. With the introduction of ActionScript, it has also become a powerful development tool. When paired with the Make Controller Kit, ActionScript developers have an excellent resource to easily create beautiful and complex visuals coupled with physical interaction.

The Make Controller Kit can communicate with Flash via OSC, a popular protocol used in a wide variety of environments and devices. If you've never used OSC before, check out the OSC tutorial.

Since Flash can't directly connect to the Make Controller via network or USB, we'll use mchelper (Make Controller Helper) to connect to the Make Controller over the network and USB, and format communication with the board into XML that can be fed in and out of Flash. Note that you need to use mchelper 2.0 or later in order to use it with Flash.

Two libraries exist for use with Flash - one for ActionScript 2.0 (AS2), and one for ActionScript 3.0 (AS3).  The libraries provide the same functionality, but they each adapt to the style of their respective languages. 

Which version should I use?

If you're running Flash 8 or earlier, you'll be using AS2.  If you're running Flash CS3 or later, you have the option to use either AS2 or AS3.  The AS2 library requires at least Flash MX 2004 7.2.

Downloads

First you'll want to download and install mchelper 2.0 or later if you haven't already.  Head to the Downloads section to do this.

While you're there, grab the latest Flash download package for either AS2 or AS3. There are several items in the download:

ActionScript 2.0

• MakeController-AS2-v1.0.mxp will install the Flash library so it can be used in your applications.
• The examples directory contains several sample .fla files that will get you started quickly.

To install the Flash classes, simply double click MakeController-AS2-v1.0.mxp, and the Macromedia Extension Manager will install the files for you. If If your Flash installation somehow did not include the Extension Manager, you can download it here.

ActionScript 3.0

• MakeController-AS3-v1.0.zip contains the AS3 library.  If you're using Flash, you'll need to drag these to the appropriate location.
  • On Windows, drag the com directory to

  C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Flash CS3\en\Configuration\ActionScript 3.0\Classes

  • On OS X, drag the com directory to 

  /Applications/Adobe Flash CS3/Configuration/ActionScript 3.0/Classes

• The examples directory contains several sample .fla files that will get you started quickly.

Other Setup

• You should be running Heavy 1.2.0 or later on the Make Controller.  If you're not sure, you can always open up mchelper, look at the Summary tab with your board selected, and look at the version.  If you're not sure how to upload a new program to your Controller, check this tutorial.
• If you're connecting to your board via Ethernet, it's easiest to connect it to your network and let it automatically get an address.  If you're connecting the Controller directly to your computer via Ethernet, check this tutorial on how to configure that.