Following my article on loading OpenX ads in Adobe AIR applications, I’ve written a very simple class to make it a little easier. This should be able to load in both image and HTML/text based banners with no problem.

This class will NOT run in the regular Flash Player. It requires Adobe AIR to function. Also, banner clicks from the Debug Launcher will NOT redirect properly (you’ll get a 404), but once the AIR app is compiled and installed links will work as they should and will be included in your OpenX stats.

Download OpenxLoader AS3 Class
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The Constructor Method

Extends the Sprite class.

OpenxLoader(w:Number, h:Number, url:String)

• w: width of the HTMLLoader
• h: height of the HTMLLoader
• url: URL to load in the HTMLLoader (the code of this page should have your OpenX invocation code with all applicable zones)

Public Properties

• html: Public reference to the HTMLLoader instance
• height: Height of the HTMLLoader instance
• width: Width of the HTMLLoader instance
• url: URL to load in the HTMLLoader instance (automatically loads the new URL when changed)

Public Methods

• refresh(): Reloads the content in the HTMLLoader instance

Basic Example

//Import the class
import us.studiochris.openx.OpenxLoader;

//Create a new instance of the class
var ads:OpenxLoader = new OpenxLoader(125, 125, "http://domain.com/open-x-ad-page.html");

//Add the OpenxLoader to the Stage
addChild(ads);

Auto-refreshing Example

//Import the class
import us.studiochris.openx.OpenxLoader;

//Create a new instance of the class
var ads:OpenxLoader = new OpenxLoader(125, 125, "http://domain.com/open-x-ad-page.html");

//Add the OpenxLoader to the Stage
addChild(ads);

//Create a new Timer to control the refresh rate
var t:Timer = new Timer(60000,1); // 1 minute refresh rate in milliseconds and we want to run it once

//Start the Timer
t.start();

//Add an Event Listener to the Timer and define the reloadAds function
t.addEventListener(TimerEvent.TIMER, reloadAds);

function reloadAds(e:TimerEvent):void
{
	//Call the refresh method of the OpenxLoader (has the effect of a rotating banner)
	ads.refresh();

	t.start(); //start the timer again so it'll call this function again in one minute
}

Flex 4 Framework Basic Example

The Syntax highlighter is wreaking havoc with the following code, but it should give you an idea on how to use the class. As an alternative, here’s the actual MXML file for the project.

		

				import us.studiochris.openx.OpenxLoader;

				private function init():void
				{
					var adloader:OpenxLoader = new OpenxLoader(600,600,"http://www.google.com");
					box.addChild(adloader);
				}

		
	

From the outside, not much has changed between this version and the last, but there were a couple of very minor bugs fixed:

• Update install ran twice during the update process in earlier versions (this caused updates to take twice as long). During the next update cycle, the update will install only one time.
• The RSS panel at the bottom of the window loaded with a lot of filler text while waiting on to see if you had an active internet connection. That clutter has been removed. As a result, it takes the RSS panel a little while longer to populate, but at least you don’t see overlapping text while waiting.

You’ll also notice the large banner for painterLab.com (which is still in the works, but you may subscribe and know exactly when it launches!) has been removed and replaced with sponsor banners. Please visit and support the sponsors as they are helping to keep the Installer portion of the Brush Manager free for everyone and also supporting future developments. If you’d like to support development directly, you may also donate to the project with PayPal.

Also, I’d like to give a quick thanks to everyone for the kind words about the Brush Manager, here, in the forums and privately. Hope you all continue to enjoy it – things will only get better!

• Refreshed user interface – The interface has undergone a massive overhaul to allow a simplified brush installation process and also allow for future updates to bring more functionality.
• The Drop Box – The three installation boxes of the previous version are gone and replaced with a single drop box that just works, no matter your operating system.
• Settings & Utilities Panel – Yes, the Brush Manager now has user settings. This brings in support for the 64-bit versions of Windows, multiple versions of Corel Painter, and custom install locations.
• Application Updates – Located in the Settings panel, users with an active internet connection may choose to install updates to the Brush Manager with two clicks – one to check for updates and one to download and install.

The Brush Manager 0.6 is immediately available for download and installation. Hope you all enjoy it!

Install brushes to Corel Painter with no effort at all. Drop a ZIP file containing a brush category onto the drop box and watch the Brush Manager do all the work for you in seconds!

Also – many thanks to all the testers who have helped along the way. I couldn’t have put this out for everyone without your help.

Behind the scenes, I’ve been working on the next version of the Studio|chris Brush Installer. The 0.6 beta branch will bring a lot of changes and increased functionality. A release date hasn’t been set, but here’s what to look forward to!

A New Interface

The first thing you’ll probably notice is a new interface that is customized especially for the application. Things are still as simple as the original as far as installing brushes – simply drag and drop your brush ZIP file on your OS box and the installer takes care of the rest.

The new interface is standardized over all operating systems, so Windows and OS X users will see the exact same interface. The screenshot below isn’t complete, but is a working prototype of the new interface.

A New Name

With the next release, the Studio|chris Brush Installer will become the Studio|chris Brush Manager. The Brush Installer name is going away in the next version for two very good reasons:

1. Documentation Confusion: “Have you installed the installer correctly using the install button on the website?” Yeah, I’m scratching my head too and I wrote the thing! The new Brush Manager name will help avoid this type of confusion.
2. New Features: The new feature set for the application really expands the application to be more than just an installer, so the new name encompasses those new features and also future improvements.

The new name is set in stone for the foreseen future of the application.

A New Feature Set

I mentioned some new features in the previous section. Here are some of them:

• Settings panel accessed by clicking the new Settings button (wrench icon) in the title bar. That messy Vista UAC checkbox is going in there with a lot of other options.
• Install brushes to Painter 7 through Painter X.1, even if you’ve customized the location of the Painter Brushes folder (ie. “I install all of my applications to D drive instead of C drive.”). This will also bring support to Windows Vista 64-bit. Thanks Les and Sue.
• Automated updates, not to be confused with automatic updates. Updates will no longer require visiting the website to install the new version. For updates to 0.6 and beyond, just open the settings panel and click the update tab to check for and install updates.
• The new Manage Brushes tab (will not be active in 0.6) contains functions to backup, delete, deactivate and reactivate brush categories. The Manage Brushes tab will become active in version 0.7 for users who wish to purchase an upgrade package. The Install Brushes tab will always remain free.
• In the background, and included as part of the new settings, you may choose to activate “logging” to log where files are being placed while using the Install Brushes tab. This will be useful in troubleshooting.

If installing this update, please uninstall previous versions using Add/Remove Programs in the Windows XP Control Panel or Programs and Features in Windows Vista. Mac users may uninstall by dragging the application in /Applications/Studio-Chris to the trash.

Barring other compatibility issues, the next version will include the settings panel as well as an automated update procedure.

How do I know which version is installed?

The version number is located in the user interface of the Brush Installer, below the application’s name.

Getting Help

The new Studio|chris Support Forum has a dedicated section for the Brush Installer. Register and post your questions there for any issues you may encounter.

The Studio|chris Brush Installer for Corel Painter X has received its first update which is aimed specifically at Windows Vista users. This update brings compatibility with Vista’s User Access Control (UAC). If UAC is enabled on your system (which it is unless you’ve disabled it yourself), the Brush Installer will work “out of the box” by installing brushes to your specific user folder. Of note, this location is not a permanent location and custom brushes will be deleted by Painter if an emergency reset is needed (performed by holding the Shift key while starting Painter). In this event, at least you have an easy way to reinstall the lost brushes!

For those who have disabled UAC, the update still works out of the box for you as well, but you have an extra option. If the checkbox for “UAC is Disabled” is checked, your brushes will be installed to the Program Files directory as opposed to your specific user folder. Brushes installed to the Program Files directory are permanent and will not be deleted during emergency resets of Painter.

Sorry for the extra clutter in the interface, but a proper Settings panel is in the works to hide that checkbox when not needed and also to save whether the box has been checked or not between sessions. I felt it was important to release this intermediate update quickly without the Settings panel to ensure the installer is compatible with the majority of systems before moving on to more complex features.

Painter users, I present the first public beta of the Studio|chris Brush Installer for Corel Painter X. I can’t even begin to count the number of questions posted on various forums across the web asking how to install brushes into Painter. Now the answer is shorter than the question and ten times as fast! Drag and Drop.

NEW [Expanded] Corel Painter X Brush Installation Directions:

1. Drag brush ZIP file onto your operating system inside of Brush Installer and release the mouse button.

What? You expected more directions? It really is that easy. Studio|chris Brush Installer takes all the guessing away from where to install Painter brushes because it knows where to put them and installs them automatically for you!

Go check out the master release page for all the details and the install badge!

Here is a very cool, free (for now?) blog posting tool from Microsoft offered through Windows Live’s Beta program. This is my first post from it because I normally use Adobe® Contribute® for all of my posting. I don’t think I’ll be making the switch as a my primary blog posting tool, but if you’re in the market for an offline blog posting tool check it out! It definitely is worth trying out.

Some features mentioned from the Microsoft Live site are:

1. Compatible with your blog host — even if you host your own.
2. WYSIWYG post editing — The editor is like simplified Microsoft Word, and it downloaded my template just fine!
3. Rich media publishing — Photos, videos, maps, etc
4. Spell-check, tables, links, and a ton of other formatting enhancements
5. Probably the biggest feature — OFFLINE EDITING! Compose your blog posts, even if an internet connection isn’t available. On a plane and need to write? Write.. save… publish from your next airport’s Wi-Fi! How’s that for on the go blogging?

There are more features, but I’ll let Microsoft do the talking there. Go download it and give it a try!

Digital painters, check out the free textures in the Studio|chris Shop! The newly listed texture collection, Art Materials #1 will be free until the end of the month. These textures were created with real art materials with the goal of being able to add a bit of traditional media to your digital paintings. The 600DPI textures are presented totally unedited from their original form allowing the greatest flexibility in styling to fit into your workflow.

© 2007 · Studio|chris

Create instant nondestructive colored pencil strokes in 3 easy steps:

1. Convert one of the colored pencil textures to black and white.
2. Copy the texture onto a new layer above your original image in Screen mode.
3. Tweak with levels to get the desired effect.

The resulting image may be used “as is” with no other work needed or would make a great underpainting for a start in Painter or Photoshop. Of course, these textures aren’t limited to photo based art, how many ways can you find to use them?