“Visible” works a little differently in as3. Seems that it disables button actions and turns the alpha to 0, but keeps the item as part of the display list. This means that old tricks of turning things visible = false then getting the parent size do not work correctly anymore. At first this was frustrating until I realized that removing an object from the display list is much more clear and effective.

Here’s a slightly different way of thinking:

package{

  import flash.display.*;

  public class SomeObject extends Sprite{

    public function SomeObject(){
      super();
    }

    /**
     * Will add and remove the child object from the sprite if needed.
     * @param  targetChild  The child to add or remove.
     * @param  isVisible  Add or remove it.  Default is true.
     */
    public function setChildVisibility(targetChild:DisplayObject,
             isVisible:Boolean = true):void{
      if(isVisible){
        if( !contains(targetChild) ){
          addChild(targetChild);
        }
      }else{
        if( contains(targetChild) ){
          removeChild(targetChild);
        }
      }
    }
  }
}

As usual a tad bit more code, but a lot clearer about what results we want. The hardest part is the transition in a production environment where all the old shortcuts just don’t work anymore.

Click to view the demo.

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We just launched a microsite for NatureMade’s latest product, Rx Essentials. Check out these screenshots:

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Have you ever tried to answer a question on a TV game show faster than the contestants? Then you’re going to really like Buzz!. Time to get your finger on the buzzers…

Get Buzzing! >>

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Ratchet & Clank, one of Playstation’s flagship franchises was looking to build player loyalty and franchise equity both between and across title releases.  Despite having produced six incredibly popular titles, the brand had no central ‘property’ to which avid fans might go to interact more deeply with the franchise, its characters, and the unique weapons, worlds, enemies, and environments that set it apart from its competitors.

Working closely with The Ratchet & Clank product marketing team, Ogilvy developed a connective vision and winning technology and design approach to piece together the parts—and create a ‘galactic’ player destination.  An audience relevant and unique navigational concept brought key elements of the game to life, a thoughtful content strategy put the best of the games’ assets front and center, and a scalable, flexible platform ensured that ratchetandclank.com would continue to grow with the franchise over time.

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