Flash uses several methods to measure the passage of time in projects. The following are the most common:
Once you understand these elements, you'll be able to make your projects do the following:
There's also a special ActionScript tool setInterval() that allows a function to be called at a regular specified interval (measured in milliseconds). To understand this, take a look at the following: function rotateClip() { myMovieClip._rotation += 10; } setInterval (rotateClip, 1500); The first three lines of the above script define the function that will be used. Next, the setInterval() action is set up to call the rotateClip() function every 1.5 seconds (1000 equals 1 second). If you wish to pass arguments to the called function, simply add them to the setInterval() action, as follows: setInterval (updateMessageFunction, 20000, "Hello", arg2, arg3) A setInterval() action can be turned on and off by assigning it a variable name, as in the following example: myVariable = setInterval(rotateClip, 1500); This will assign the name myVariable to the setVariable() action. To remove the functionality of the setVariable() action, you would use the following syntax: delete myVariable; The setInterval() action can be initiated any time, calling any function using the syntax shown. (In the next lesson, you'll learn how you can use this action to create a rotating banner ad system.) |