Question

I have my code setup so that I have a movieclip in my library with a class called “block” being duplicated multiple times and added into an array like this:

function makeblock(e:Event){
newblock=new block;
newblock.x=10;
newblock.y=10;
addChild(newblock);
myarray[counter] = newblock; //adds a newblock object into array
counter += 1;
}

Then I have a loop with a currently primitive way of handling my problem:

    stage.addEventListener(Event.ENTER_FRAME, gameloop);
    function gameloop(evt:Event):void {
        if (moveright==true){
            myarray[0].x += 5;
            myarray[1].x += 5;
            myarray[2].x += 5
              -(and so on)-

My question is how can I change x,y values every frame for new objects duplicated into the array, along with the previous ones that were added. Of course with a more elegant way than writing it out myself… array[0].x += 5, array[1], array[2], array[3] etc.

Ideally I would like this to go up to 500 or more array objects for one array so obviously I don’t want to be writing it out individually haha, I also need it to be consistent with performance so using a for loop or something to loop through the whole array and move each x += 5 wouldn’t work would it? Anyway, if anyone has any ideas that’d be great!

Answer 1

If you have to move 100 objects, you have to move them. No alternatives.

But what you can really do to save performance, is optimize the solution itself. A few cents from me:

• Of course the loop has to be applied in your case, managing 100+ assignments line by line is definitely not the right way to go. Although you gain nothing performance wise with just using a loop.

• Try grouping the objects. As I see above, you seem to be moving all those objects with similar increment. Group them all into larger movieclips (or Sprites) & move that instead.

• Learn Blitting & caching methods to save a lot on performance, Or you would sooner or later hit on the road where your logic cannot be twisted anymore & performance will be a pain.

• Also, in extent of the previous step, do consider using Sprite Sheets if you have multiple states of the same object.

Finally, I would also like to caution you to not waste time on micro optimizations & thinking about them.