FusionCharts for Flex > Introduction > Overview

What is FusionCharts for Flex?

FusionCharts for Flex is a charting component for Adobe® Flex® solutions. It allows you to embed FusionCharts in your Flex solutions using methods that are already familiar to you.

Based on FusionCharts v3 framework, the industry leader in Adobe Flash charting, FusionCharts for Flex offers over 40 chart types which include both 2D and 3D charts.

It works with both Flex 2 and Flex 3.

How does it work?

In FusionCharts v3 charts had been coded in ActionScript 2 (Flash 8 - AVM1). So, if you're wondering how we converted them into Flex components, let us explain how we've achieved the same.

We've not ported them to ActionScript 3 (AVM2); instead, we've modified the existing FusionCharts v3 charts so that they can be efficiently loaded in your Flex solutions and then be controlled by your Flex code. To facilitate cross communication between AVM1 and AVM2, we've used FlashInterface (big thanks to those guys). While we did come across many bottlenecks in the process of enabling cross communication, we've managed to solve them all for you. As such, you do not at all need to bother anything about cross AVM issues. All you need to do is load the FusionCharts SWF, provide the data and control it from your Flex project.

Additionally, since FusionCharts internally uses XML as its only data source, we've provided Flex APIs to help you convert your data stored in Array, XML List, Model etc. to FusionCharts XML format. Which means, you would not have to worry about hand-coding any of the XML.

So why should I use FusionCharts and not Adobe Flex charts?

We're still not asking you to dump the licenses of Adobe Flex Charting that you might have purchased - that would be a bold statement to make. Instead, we are asking you to use both the products in conjunction to cover all your charting needs.

Both products have their niche and FusionCharts covers some of the aspects not fully covered by Flex charting. Basically, if you're looking for more chart types and chart configuration options, we might be able to fit in. Also, some charts in FusionCharts suite are highly interactive like the pie and doughnut charts which allow you to slice out individual pie, rotate the chart (thereby seamlessly transforming them from 2D to 3D) etc.

Listed below are a few justifications of why you should or shouldn't use FusionCharts for Flex:

Pros:

  • Load charts as and when you need, instead of packing everything in your main SWF and increasing the file size.
  • Lots of chart types. Initially we've released just 40 chart types. But down the line, we do plan to include gauges and maps from our FusionWidgets and FusionMaps.
  • Lots of configuration options for each chart.
Cons:
  • The charts are not native Flex components, and as such you cannot update individual columns/lines etc. You can, however, change the data of entire chart.
  • The charts are not coded in ActionScript 3 but in ActionScript 2, if that matters.