ThunderBolt AS3 1.0 released – A lightweight logging tool for Flex 2 and Flash CS3 applications
ThunderBolt AS3 is a lightweight logging tool for Flex 2 and Flash CS3 applications using Firebug as its logging console. It’s open source based on the Mozilla Public License 1.1.
Features based on ThunderBolt AS3 v.1.0
- Log levels: INFO, WARN, ERROR, DEBUG (FATAL, ALL)
- Tree view for complex object structures such as class identifier and its properties
- Custom LogTarget based on Flex Logging API including filters
- Memory snapshot
- SWC components for logging using Flex 2 or Flash CS3. Only 4kB for the Flash based SWC and 24kB for Flex one using the Flex 2 Logging Framework.
For more information check the Wiki on Google Code.
Live examples
Note: Press F12 to open Firebug within Firefox to receive all logging messages.
Any questions…? What the fuck is Firebug…?
Pure Flex 2 example:
Flex 2 example using the Flex 2 Logging Framework:
Pure Flash CS3 example:
Free download
Full source of ThunderBolt AS3 including all examples and libraries as SWC’s:
ThunderBoltAS3_v1.0.zip
(Downloads: 1804)
Happy logging
!

Yeah! Pretty cool thing – I`ll try it out!
Hmm… pressing buttons in example SWF files yields no entries into my console tab open in Firebug window
Firefox 2.0.6 + FireBug 1.0.5
@JabbyPanda: Please reload the site and try it again. It could be an issue connecting Firebug using ExternalInterface…
-sectore
Brilliant, I was looking for such a solution just a few days ago. Great work, I’ll use it loads.
I’m feeling pretty clueless here. I’ve loaded up Thunderbolt (into Components folder, added component to FLA project) and Firebug, but I don’t see anything at all in the Firebug Console. This is true whether I’m looking at my project or the sample that comes with TB (the one shown above on this page). I’ve reloaded everything, loaded the sample as a swf, loaded the project in the browser locally and via http. I’m stumped.
Hi,
On Firebug version 1.2.0b3 (FF3) don’t work!!!
Hi,
Very usefull ! Thanks
@Jonathan Vicente
This works under Firebug 1.2.0b4 with FF3.
Hi,
great app, but again I’m experiencing problems on FF3 on a Mac; nothing comes through. Works perfectly on a PC with FF2.
Any idea?!?
I’m also experiencing some weird behavior on FF3 on the mac.
When I try the examples (ThunderBoltFlexExample) locally logging doesn’t work until I toggle the AS3 Console checkbox back and forth.
The examples on this page do work without needing to toggle back and forth however. What’s the difference in the pages?
@Jonathan Vicente, @coderkind, @Joshua
I haven’t tried FF3 on the Mac… But if you are on a Mac, give ThunderBolt AS3 Console (an AIR app) a try to avoid issues using Firebug within FF3.
-Jens
@FF3 User: To avoid issues using Firebug 3 check this solution posted by Rob Halff on ThunderBolts issue list:
http://code.google.com/p/flash-thunderbolt/issues/detail?id=5
The next release of ThunderBolt AS3 will fix it.
Thanks Rob Halff!
-Jens
@All FF3 Users: Check out the latest release of ThunderBolt AS3 (v.2.0) for using Firefox 3:
http://code.google.com/p/flash-thunderbolt/downloads/list
-Jens
FF3 and MAC, works perfectly!!!
Okay, I installed AIR, installed Firebug (on the latest version of FF2), and came to this page to test it out and I’m getting absolutely nothing. The console is useless as I cannot locate any “flashlog.txt” on my entire machine (OS X). I am running CS3.
What am I missing? I feel like I’m the only person who’s found Thunderbolt to be extremely difficult to get up and running!
@beedee: Check out the wiki on GoogleCode: “ThunderBolt AS3 Console” -> Known issues -> “flashlog.txt” is not found on OS X (“Leopard”)
-Jens
I have read through that page, tried running the latest debug players, essentially everything. That still doesn’t explain why Firebug doesn’t work with these example pages at all.
(I’m using OSX ver 10.4.11)
This is insanely frustrating as I’m using the Gaia Flash Framework, and if Thunderbolt doesn’t work I’m going to have to find some way to work around the various pages that will need serious in-browser debugging to test the deep-linking dependent functionality I’m trying. I’ll probably have to find some way to get the AS3 version of LuminicBox to work.
Does the Thunderbolt Console only work with this flashlog.txt? If so I’m at a complete loss as to why it doesn’t exist on my system. I’m using CS3 and OSX ver 10.4.11, as I said. If this console doesn’t work with my current setup, will someone please make a definitive statement that says so. Either my issues with this application are completely anomalous or no one else has bothered to complain. In any case, it’s been an extremely frustrating experience trying to get this damn thing to work (speaking as someone who’s had no trouble teaching himself everything from setting up everything from HTML, JavaScript and CSS to apache servers, AS3, PHP and complex MySQL relational databases). I’m in serious danger of going bald trying to get this to work!
@beedee: You don’t have to use ThunderBolt’s console build on Adobe AIR. Instead use Firebug as a console, with is an extension of Firefox. Using Firebug you don’t need “flashlog.txt”.
Please use the ThunderBolt mailinglist, if you have further questions.
-Jens
Strange thing – i’ve mada test app with ThunderBolt, but
1. When i’m press publish in Flex Builder, copy main.swf to wwwroot at webserver, open firebug – i see nothing (firebug is enabled for localhost)
2. When i pressing debug in FB and IDE opening local html file from bin-debug – i see messages
3. When i’m opening from bin-debug main.SWF – i see no messages
4. When i’m opening from bin-release main.SWF – i see no messages
5. When i’m opening from bin-release main.HTML – i see no messages
Could you tell me please – whats wrong?
@Alexey: It’s seems, that the security restriction of your installed Flash Player doesn’t allow you to send log messages to Firebugs console. You can change your settings here: http://www.macromedia.com/support/documentation/en/flashplayer/help/settings_manager04.html
Please use ThunderBolt’s mailinglist for further questions. Thanks!
-Jens
nothing happens. anywhere.
Maybe u consider makung a video-tutorial.
i followed the instructions given on the project-page on google.code.
there is one thing that might be the key.
u write there :
“Open this folder and drag the component called “Logger” to the Stage. Remove it. ”
Point is: there is nothing to remove: not on the stage, and not in the lib either.
Might it hav to do with why it isnt working in any way ?
Greez
you’v did a great thing,lol
It also can run in chrome’s firebug lite.