I save .as file, but I have no idea how to import it…

The nice thing is, it really doesn’t matter where you save the AS file, as long as you let Flash know where it is. You can do this by configuring your classpath setting to the folder that contains the class file. Here’s a freebie article I wrote for Community MX that should steer you in the right direction:

http://www.communitymx.com/content/article.cfm?cid=197DE

If you’re still stuck, by all means, write back! I realize you may have long since moved on, because it has taken me five months to reply (I do apologize for that!) but for what it’s worth, I’m here now. I’ve been working on two Flash books this year, and they’re finally done and shipping, so I tend to have time in the evenings now.

To Lauren …

So glad to hear that!

To Mike …

I’m just wondering how to reset the mcloader so that you can load in a new array of images? […] How do I clear the mcloader so that I can use the for loop again and populate a new array to send?

Honestly, you might not have to clear anything out. Have you tried simply continuing to invoke the addClip() method?

I’m not sure exactly what you mean by “How do I clear the mcloader,” because this class creates a new MovieClipLoader instance for each image file, but you could certainly add a new public method somewhere inside the body of the class. Call it reset(), maybe. Pop it right between the loadClips() and getGroupProgress() functions:

public function reset():Void {
  _clips = new Array();
}

Notice that the function is public, just like loadClip(), which lets you invoke it on your MultiLoader instance. In theory, that should do it, because setting an Array instance to a new array. However, if you notice any odd behavior, you could take matters into your own hands and clear out each item in the _clips array, just for good measure:

public function reset():Void {
  var i:Number = 0;
  var len:Number = _clips.length;
  for (i = 0; i < len; i++) {
    delete _clips[i];
  }
  _clips = new Array();
}

For instance I have a gallery with multiple sections and I’m using a for loop to populate the array. How do I clear the mcloader so that I can use the for loop again and populate a new array to send?

Thanks again!
Lauren

This looks very cool and I have been trying hard to make it work, however, it won’t work. I save .as file, but I have no idea how to import it… I am very new to this. Can anyone help me with this. Like really, explain. I mean, what I have to put in the main movieclip to import this class, cuz whatever I try, it would throw out that class can be defined outside the file. Maybe someone can send me example… damrudy@yahoo.com

Thank you so much.
Rudy

I followed up with Rob personally, several months ago, because his post was thorough and well thought out. His idea of limiting the number of concurrent HTTP connections is a good one, but I haven’t taken the time yet to experiment with it.

Thanks!

However, I wonder if you are seeing the same bug that I encounter when loading multiple files at the same time (~ 20-50 files) in Internet Explorer. To replicate the issue:

1. Create a Flash movie that loads 30 or so files at the same time
2. Create a web page with a link that opens the Flash movie in a *new* (pop-up) browser window.
3. In IE, load the web page with the link to the Flash movie.
4. Click on the link. The Flash movie should open in a new window.
5. Before the movie is finished loading all the files, close the browser window containing the Flash movie.
6. Repeat steps 4-5. The Flash movie will no longer load.

The IE Flash plugin does not seem to dispose of the multiple HTTP connections properly when the page is closed while the Flash movie is using those connections, and this somehow breaks the plugin.

I suspect that a queue manager, as Brian mentioned above, would solve this issue by limiting the number of HTTP connections that are open at one time. Brian, if you were able to implement this I would be interested to hear how you did it!

In that case, set the MovieClip._visible properties of the relevant movie clip containers to false. When the onGroupProgress event indicates that groupBytesLoaded has gotten high enough, update the _visible property for all to true.

I think that you’ve done a fine job, and the class is working as it suppose to. My problem is this, I load the menu icons through an XML, but I don’t any of them to be displayed till the swf is fully loaded (ie the icons is fully loaded).

Thanks in Advance
George