ASL Editor [version 3.5 is out!]

[Kubajzz]

I don't know what program do other people use to write ASL scripts... I used to use Notepad and an unstable version of Tyson Collins' Anim8or Script Editor (which never even reached the beta stage...). That's not a very comfortable way of programming :/. That's why I decided to write a little development tool for ASL scripts.


Current version: 3.5
Download ASL Editor

Features:

• Syntax highliting with customizable font settings
• Auto-Complete function
• Syntax specification is saved in an external XML file (so I don't have to release a new version of ASL Editor whenever a new version of ASL is released)
• Syntax checker
• Basic code formatting functions
• Undo/Redo functions
• Find and Replace functions
• Auto-save function
• Recently opened files list
• Easy localization to any language (English, Spanish, French and Czech currently available)
• Does not require installation
• Help file included
• A simple drawing tool to create and edit icons for Parametric Mesh Plugins
• A complete, well structured ASL reference included

System requirements:

• Windows XP/Vista/7 or newer (it might work on earlier versions too but I didn't have a chance to try it...)
• Microsoft .NET framework 3.5 or higher

Now it's your turn! Any questions, bug reports and feature suggestions are welcome!

If you create a new translation of ASL Editor, please send me the .lng file and I'll include it in the main release.

[Raxx]

Cool! Good job so far. Good luck with the updates!

[$imon]

Yea! Thats awesome!

Ive never made an asl script, but if i ever will, ill be sure to download this Looks very useful!

[RnDr FOX]

Awesome! Good job kub, what programming language did you use to write this, C++?

I think that this is what I need to write ASL in the future.

[Kubajzz]

Thank you all for the feedback!

I added a "Bugs and problems" section to my first post, I'm glad it's almost empty

what programming language did you use to write this, C++?

C#

[Kubajzz]

I just posted a new version of ASL Editor. I fixed several glitches, improved the interface and added the Auto-save and "Find and Replace" functions.

Any feedback is still welcome!

[Kubajzz]

Version 2.0 is out! ASL Editor is becoming more than a simple text editor. See the first post in this topic to download the program.

The most important feature in this version is full Auto-Complete function. The XML file that was used to recognize keywords now contains a complete ASL specification (even "more complete" that the official online specification, which is a little outdated...).

There are also several bugs fixed and a bunch of new minor features... Be sure to check it out and don't forget to read the ReadMe file to get the most out of the program!

[Raxx]

Very cool Kubajzz, especially the AutoComplete feature! This could very well be the number one resource for ASL'ers

I'm not writing any scripts right now so I don't have a reason to give it a good trial, but I'll be sure to report anything when I do

[Kubajzz]

Thanks Raxx!

I re-uploaded the file, there is now Spanish translation included in the release (thanks a lot to dajean!)

[lizeal93]

amazingtoolreallyhelpfulthanksabunch....whoo that was a mouthful

(one side point. i apologize in advance since this doesn't really have to do with anim8or but i was wondering since i'm learning C# and i was trying to figure out how to program your intellisense feature. so if you caould give some direction i would ge much obliged.)

thanks in advance

[Kubajzz]

(one side point. i apologize in advance since this doesn't really have to do with anim8or but i was wondering since i'm learning C# and i was trying to figure out how to program your intellisense feature. so if you caould give some direction i would ge much obliged.)

thanks in advance

Sure, here's a (very) short summary of what I've done:

I created a new windows form that would represent the Auto-Complete list (and the only control inside this window is the list itself).

Then I had to track the "OnKeyPress" and "OnKeyDown" events of the text box to show/hide the auto-complete window and I also had to check for mouse events in the auto-complete box itself... There was a lot of other things I had to do, for example to search the code for variable declarations to maintain a list of all variables, to close the auto-complete window when the textbox loses focus, to fill the list with appropriate content... The piece of code is about 600 lines long.

If you want a more detailed explanation, send me a pm or an e-mail, I don't mind sharing a part of my secrets

ps. Right now I'm working on a "Syntax checker" - this function will try to parse your script and check it for errors so you don't have to save the file, start Anim8or and load the script to find out that there's a semicolon missing...

[3Dgeek11]

A little question, why does it need .NET Framework 3.5? Or .NET Framework at all?

I might actually try to make a script now!

Thanks, Kubajzz! Good job and keep it up!
3DGeek

[Kubajzz]

A little question, why does it need .NET Framework 3.5? Or .NET Framework at all?

Huh.. That's a difficult question

There are at least 2 good reasons why I'm developing this application using .NET. First, the C# language is closely related to the .NET platform and as far as I know it's not possible to write a C# application that does not need .NET (and if you want to ask why I'm using C#, it's because I don't know any other programming language ).

The second reason is quite simple: the .NET platform makes some things extremely easy (from developer's point of view).

I tried to make the application compatible with earlier versions of .NET, but (un)fortunately .NET 3.5 introduced several amazing features I can't live without...

I know this is quite a big problem problem because not everybody has .NET 3.5 installed, but you can download it for free from microsoft.com (as far as I know it' about 250 MB ).

[lizeal93]

thanks a lot really helpful. if i need more help i'll take you up on your offer thanks again

off topic again:

i've tried to pm you but i'm not sure if youve been getting the messages. anyway here is the quetsion.

are you using the express edtion and if you are how did you make it not need and installer.

thank you in advance

[Jdez]

Hey cool you used C#? I am learning to program that language too!