Question

I have a library object (SomethingMC) which extends a custom class (Something). Something, in turn, extends MovieClip.

If adding SomethingMC to the stage within Flash CS3 IDE, is it possible for it’s super class (Something) to assign an instance name from a class constant (Something.THE_CONSTANT)?

package
{
  import flash.display.MovieClip;
  import flash.events.Event;

  public class Something extends MovieClip
  {
    public static const THE_CONSTANT:String = 'anInsanceName';

    public function Something():void
    {
      addEventListener(Event.ADDED_TO_STAGE, assignInstanceName);
    }

    protected function assignInstanceName(event:Event):void
    {
      this.name = THE_CONSTANT;
    }
  }
}

The above does not work. It throws Error #2078: The name property of a Timeline-placed object cannot be modified. if the instance is assigned a name in the IDE, and it just doesn’t work if no name is assigned in the IDE.

I’m afraid the answer is no…

Answer 1

I don’t think this is possible, but I like the idea. It would certainly be nice to be able to do this rather than having to name each key-framed instance of a DisplayObject you wish to target via it’s instance name.