Compile AS 3 on Mac
by Josh on Oct.20, 2005, under ActionScript, Flash, Mac
Update: - You no longer need to download the Windows build to pull out the files needed to to this. You can now dowload the Flex SDK from labs.macromedia.com. Once you do that, you can also setup Xcode to work with the Flex SDK. I’ve posted the new instructions here:
http://www.joshbuhler.com/2006/04/17/using-the-flex-sdk-with-xcode/
So… you want to start playing with Flex Builder 2 Alpha, and Player 8.5, but you’re on a Mac. And there weren’t any links to downloads for your Mac on labs.macromedia.com. What’s a Mac-using Flash-developer to do? A Mac version of the 8.5 player is available in the download, but what about Flex Builder and the compiler?
I wondered the same thing, and while at MAX the last few days, tried to find the answer to this question. Basically, Flex Builder 2 for Mac is a ways off, but because the compiler is Java-based, you can still use it on your Mac. I spoke with Mike Chambers for a few seconds about this, and he told me that there would be instructions soon on how to compile your AS3 stuff on Mac. But… I couldn’t wait, and tried figuring it out myself. As I was really tired after arriving home last night, that effort lasted for only a few minutes. But after searching today, I found some instructions online.
Right now, the site doesn’t appear to be working, however you can view it by using a Coral Cache of the page:
http://www.mook.co.uk.nyud.net:8090/~alisdair.mills/mxmlc_compiler_osx.html
I downloaded the Alpha, pulled out the bits I needed, and was on my way. Hopefully, this info will be added to the Wiki over on the labs page for other Mac users, but until then, this should at least get you started.
Also, forgive me if this is “old news”, but I really haven’t been online for the last week or so. I used the PC’s at MAX to check email, and that was about it. I’m just now weeding through the 200-300 or so new articles I have in NewsFire, and trying to get caught up on things. I’ve got some good stories to tell, and my impressions of my first MAX to share over the next few days.
Update: If you’re one of those Mac folks who also like to use Xcode for your Flash work, you can also setup Xcode to use the mxmlc compiler.
October 20th, 2005 on 2:50 PM
Nice Josh. What an improvment ActionScript 3 will be. Flex is looking pretty cool too. Thanks for blogging again. Good to have you back.
October 20th, 2005 on 4:10 PM
More info on alpha schedules and multiple platforms:
http://www.andersblog.com/archives/2005/10/about_the_diffe.html
(see comments)
jd/mm
October 20th, 2005 on 4:23 PM
hmmm, this sounds cool, surely by the same reasoning use of the Flex Builder isn’t needed for compiling on a PC either. I personally find the Flex Builder ‘clunky’ but then I hate Java apps (slow on my machine) and since I don’t write MXML anyway (only AS3) then it is overkill, but I might try creating a simple drag/drop batch file that compiles AS3 .as files. Cool stuff
October 20th, 2005 on 5:06 PM
…and as of five minutes ago I got Xcode setup to use the mxmlc compiler for AS3, so now I can just edit my AS file, and click “Build” to get a new .swf.
I’ll post instructions for that soon once I get the kinks worked out, and it’s a little more user friendly.
October 20th, 2005 on 11:16 PM
It’s strange, I can get it to compile AS3 classes perfectly, but it just won’t compile mxml files no matter what I do. It keeps saying “Can’t open target file or directory”. Weird. All I am changing in my terminal is the name of the file, and they are in the same path. Any suggestions?
Eric
October 21st, 2005 on 11:39 AM
Josh, that would wonderfull to get instructions for setting up AS3 for Xcode. Eclipse, as great as it is, still is very clunking and slow. Having an alternative like Xcode would make a huge difference.
Curtis