Using movie clip event handler methods to trigger scripts

You can use the methods in the Events category of the MovieClip object to handle movie clip events. You must define a function and assign it to the event handler method. Without a function assigned to it, the event handler method has no effect on the movie.

You can either call an event handler method from the instance of the movie clip whose event you want to handle, or create a new ActionScript class and define the methods in the prototype object of the class. (For more information, see Defining event handler methods in a class definition.)

To use a movie clip event handler method to trigger a script:

  1. On the Stage, select the movie clip whose event you want to handle.
  2. Enter an instance name in the Property inspector.
  3. Select a frame, button, or movie clip to which to attach the method.
  4. Choose Window > Actions to open the Actions panel if it isn't already open.
  5. In the Actions toolbox (at the left of the panel), click the Objects category, then click the Movie category, the MovieClip category, and the Events category, and double-click one of the MovieClip event handler methods.
  6. Enter values for the following parameters:
  7. Add actions inside the function to define the function.
  8. The following code defines a function for the onPress method of the instance mc that sets the _alpha property of mc when mc loads:

    mc.onPress = function() {
        this._alpha = 50;
    };
    

    Note: The keyword this refers to the instance that calls the event handler method. In this example, the instance is mc.