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jdmrent1
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Randomize Buttons on stage

Jul 16, 2012 11:34 AM

Tags: #problem #flash #script #text #swf #button #action #code_snippets #actionscript #event #actionscript3

I'm new to flash and coding, I'm attempting to setup a quiz for students who are in elementary school. I have tried quiz creators but they don't do what i want them to do. I've tried captivate but that also doesn't support buttons that have images in them.

 

My project consists of the following.

                                                            the red _____

 

apple.jpg               banana.jpg          orange.jpg

 

The images are buttons which I made with roll over effects, and sound. They also move to the next question when the correct answer is chosen.

What I want is for the Buttons to be randomized when the slide loads, so they are not always in the same spot.

I created a layer called actions for the actionscript so in that layer, I have tried to create an array but I cant seem to make it work properly, the buttons never move. After extensive Google searches on randomization I have the following code.

 

function Main() {

var button:Array = [];
button.push("choice1");
button.push("choice2");
button.push("choice3");
ShuffleArray(button);
trace(button);

}
function ShuffleArray(button:Array)
{

for (var i:int = button.length-1; i >=0; i--)
{

var randomIndex:int = Math.floor(Math.random()*(i+1));
var itemAtIndex:Object = button[randomIndex];
button[randomIndex] = button[i];
button[i] = itemAtIndex;

 

 

Needless to say I have no idea why its not randomizing. I'm sure I'm missing something, or not coded correctly.

 

If someone could please point me in the right direction, or assist with the code I would really appreciate that.

 

Thanks in advance.

1221 Views   10 Replies   Latest reply: abobo37, Jul 19, 2012 9:58 PM
 
Replies
  • kglad
    62,151 posts
    Jul 21, 2002
    Currently Being Moderated
    1. kglad,
    Jul 16, 2012 11:39 AM   in reply to jdmrent1
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    use:

     

     

    function Main() {

    var button:Array = [];
    button    .push("choice1");
    button    .push("choice2");
    button    .push("choice3");
    shuffle(button);
    for(var i:int=0;i<button.length;i++){

    button[i].x = 50+button[i].width*i;

    }



    }

    function shuffle(a:Array) {

        var p:int;

        var t:*;

        var ivar:int;

        for (ivar = a.length-1; ivar>=0; ivar--) {

            p=Math.floor((ivar+1)*Math.random());

            t = a[ivar];

            a[ivar] = a[p];

            a[p] = t;

        }

    }

     
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  • jdmrent1
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    2. jdmrent1,
    Jul 16, 2012 7:58 PM   in reply to kglad
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    I tried your formula, no luck. i changed the "a" in your formula, to button the name of the array and still no success. So  here is what i have now.

     

    function Main() {

    var button:Array = [];
    button.push("choice1");
    button.push("choice2");
    button.push("choice3");
    shuffle(button);
    for(var i:int=0;i<button.length;i++){

    button[i].x = 50+button[i].width*i;

    }

     


    }

    function shuffle(button:Array) {

        var p:int;

        var t:*;

        var ivar:int;

        for (ivar = button.length-1; ivar>=0; ivar--) {

            p=Math.floor((ivar+1)*Math.random());

            t = button[ivar];

            button[ivar] = button[p];

            button[p] = t;

        }

    }

     

     

    again this is the actions layer, also the buttons were exported for actionscripting. I think im still doing something wrong or maybe, i inserted the wrong labels.

     
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  • kglad
    62,151 posts
    Jul 21, 2002
    Currently Being Moderated
    3. kglad,
    Jul 16, 2012 9:39 PM   in reply to jdmrent1
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    you should be seeing error messages.  if not, check your publish settings to make sure you're publishing for as3.

     

    then, if you have buttons with instance names "choice1" etc, use:

     

    function Main() {

    var button:Array = [];
    button    .push("choice1");
    button    .push("choice2");
    button    .push("choice3");
    shuffle(button);
    for(var i:int=0;i<button.length;i++){

    getChildByName(button[i]).x = 50+getChildByName(button[i]).width*i;

    }



    }

    function shuffle(a:Array) {

        var p:int;

        var t:*;

        var ivar:int;

        for (ivar = a.length-1; ivar>=0; ivar--) {

            p=Math.floor((ivar+1)*Math.random());

            t = a[ivar];

            a[ivar] = a[p];

            a[p] = t;

        }

    }

     
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  • jdmrent1
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    4. jdmrent1,
    Jul 17, 2012 6:47 PM   in reply to kglad
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    I have tried this also, there were no errors that showed up however there is no change. the buttons remain on the same place/position on the stage.is there anything perhaps i should be doing differently? 

     

    I did check the publish settings its set to as3, the advanced settings had something about doc class but i have no idea what that is or how to use it.

     
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  • kglad
    62,151 posts
    Jul 21, 2002
    Currently Being Moderated
    5. kglad,
    Jul 17, 2012 9:43 PM   in reply to jdmrent1
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    what are the instance names of your buttons?

     
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  • jdmrent1
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    6. jdmrent1,
    Jul 18, 2012 4:53 PM   in reply to kglad
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    my buttons are named choice1-3. i tried to make it as easy as possible for me once i start making the quiz i will change the name but i also know i have to change the code.

     
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  • kglad
    62,151 posts
    Jul 21, 2002
    Currently Being Moderated
    7. kglad,
    Jul 18, 2012 10:56 PM   in reply to jdmrent1
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    copy and paste the trace output from:

     

    function Main() {

    var button:Array = [];
    button    .push("choice1");
    button    .push("choice2");
    button    .push("choice3");
    shuffle(button);
    for(var i:int=0;i<button.length;i++){

    getChildByName(button[i]).x = 50+getChildByName(button[i]).width*i;

    trace(i,button[i],getChildByName(button[i].name)

    }



    }

    function shuffle(a:Array) {

        var p:int;

        var t:*;

        var ivar:int;

        for (ivar = a.length-1; ivar>=0; ivar--) {

            p=Math.floor((ivar+1)*Math.random());

            t = a[ivar];

            a[ivar] = a[p];

            a[p] = t;

        }

    }

     
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  • jdmrent1
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    8. jdmrent1,
    Jul 19, 2012 7:56 PM   in reply to kglad
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    The code you have gave no out put and also generated no errors. Still the same result.

     
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  • kglad
    62,151 posts
    Jul 21, 2002
    Currently Being Moderated
    9. kglad,
    Jul 19, 2012 9:07 PM   in reply to jdmrent1
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    then you're not even calling Main

     
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  • abobo37
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    10. abobo37,
    Jul 19, 2012 9:58 PM   in reply to jdmrent1
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    um i'm new 2 this too,but maybe you could try something like

     

    trace("this is working");

     

    to make sure if the problem's in the code itself or if it's something else

     
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