FDT and ANT | A User’s Guide – Part I

Posted by Alan in Actionscript, Code, FDT Aug 10th, 2009 | 11 responses

Some time ago I began integrating FDT and ANT.  Not long after, my friends complained about not seeing me, my desk became littered with espresso cans, and I started having lots, and lots of Chinese take out.

Lookin good

Mixing Ant and FDT is simply addictive – there’s just so much one can do.  There are also several pitfalls that, if not prepared, can really confuse you.

Thus, I began to write down the process to aid others and to remind myself in case I forgot. Not long into this process I learned that there is a lot to cover.  Instead of cramming it all into one post, I have decided to split it up among several posts.

Part one contains two videos about getting started with Ant. I’m getting back into recording videos so forgive me if I’m a little stiff.  I’m getting more comfortable with recording again and I’ve even started doing a little bit of editing.  Already between the first and second video, I can tell I’m getting better.

In total the series is going to cover work-flow tricks, working with live error checking, code hinting, templates (creating and using), how to extend Ant by adding Java libraries,  FTP, SSH, ASdoc, SVN, debugging tricks, creating SWFObject swf -embeded HTML files, multi swf compilation and more.

Ant Templates

Download here

If you’re already an experienced Ant user, you might be less interested in the videos of part one.  If this is the case go ahead and download my templates and experiment.  I’ll be adding more and refining them, but these are good to get started. There are two kinds of templates available: XML file templates and Ant snippet templates.  Use the XML files templates to quickly create a basic build file, then use the Ant snippets to add functionality.

To add XML files templates go: Preferences>XML>XML Files>Editor>Templates and click import.

To add Ant snippets go: Preferences>Ant>Editor>Templates and click import.

Video One

Video one is where I go over how to get FDT to recognize your XML file as an Ant file.  Do this and you will have live error checking,  property introspection, snippets and code hinting. I also end the video by showing how to run an Ant diagnostic.

Video Two

Video two introduces properties, Ant’s version of reusable variables, dealing with the dreaded JRE error, FDT’s built in Ant dynamic help, then compiling and launching your .swf.

Also, please note that between videos one and two, I changed from the stand alone version of FDT to the new version of Eclipse with the latest FDT beta.  This is because I started having some file path issues, and the new version of Eclipse has better Ant support. If you are having trouble following, try installing the latest Eclipse and using the latest FDT beta.

Video I: Getting Started

Video II: Compiling a SWF



11 Responses to “ FDT and ANT | A User’s Guide – Part I ”

  1. Mads Bjerre says:
    August 10, 2009 at 5:06 am

    Been looking for a basic tutorial on ANT for a while – thanks a lot for this, Alan! I look forward to your next videos. Keep’em coming! :-)

  2. Adrian Parr says:
    August 10, 2009 at 6:06 am

    Hi Alan,

    Thankyou so much for posting these videos. I’ve heard a lot of people talking about Ant. But I’ve never really understood what it is all about. I’ve never come across anyone who has explained it in a simple and clear way. Your screencasts have made realise that they are not as scary as they sound. Maybe now I should invest in FDT and start using them.

    I’m looking forward to the next screencasts you do.

    Another thing that would be really handy to see explained in ASDoc. I have never used it/them and don’t know how to write and/or generate them. A simple screencast would be a great help.

    Keep up the good work,

    Adrian

    (An experienced ActionScript developer who still uses the Flash IDE).

  3. Adrian Parr says:
    August 10, 2009 at 6:09 am

    Oh, also, I would like to subscribe to your blog’s RSS feed. That way I will be informed when you post a new screencast. But you don’t have a link to it on your blog. What is it?

  4. Steve Sargent says:
    August 10, 2009 at 4:08 pm

    Thanks for sharing Alan. Very helpful for Ant dummies like me!

  5. Alan says:
    August 11, 2009 at 5:15 pm

    @ Adrian
    I added a RSS widget. That should help.

  6. erik van nieuwburg says:
    August 12, 2009 at 8:55 am

    Hi Alan,
    Nice to see you post about this topic, since ANT + FDT really gives us great power on publishing processes.

    Recently I wrote my own blog post on this topic, specifically regarding the use of FTP with ANT + FDT. I’m using it now to do superfast live testing: http://www.rumblingskies.com/blog/?p=75

    Greets,
    Erik

  7. George says:
    August 12, 2009 at 9:42 am

    Hi Alan, thanks for the introduction videos. Your post states “Part 1”, may I ask what other tutorials you have in mind?

    Can we make suggestions?

    Thanks

  8. Alan says:
    August 12, 2009 at 10:32 am

    @George
    There may be as many as 4 parts to this series.
    So far I have Part II planned to cover .swf compilation arguments, working with different viewers, debugging, resetting FCSH, and different ways of structuring Ant files.

    RE: ‘Can we make suggestions?’
    Absolutely. I will try to accommodate.

  9. ryan says:
    October 19, 2009 at 8:24 am

    Thanks for this! it was very helpful and got me started quickly. much appreciated!

  10. Burvs says:
    October 21, 2009 at 5:08 pm

    Thanks Alan – just getting my FDT workflow together and this was a great help.

  11. blog.wie-gand.de » Blog Archi » Flash / ActionScript / Ant says:
    January 17, 2010 at 7:49 pm

    [...] // FDT and ANT | A User’s Guide – Part I FDT and ANT | A User’s Guide – Part [...]