[AS3] Optimizing a game with a block engine

[Zanzlanz]

With AS3, I'm making a game that uses a block engine, meaning it places blocks in an array resembling the appearance of a world.

Not only this, but when you move the camera in the game, areas of blocks that aren't on the screen get removed, and areas that need to be shown are loaded (Using addChild).

It runs smooth when there's only a couple hundred blocks on the screen, but when there's a bit more, than slower computers start to make the game lag a lot.

Is there a way I can efficiently speed up this engine by caching, or going about it in a different way?

If you need additional details, I will be happy to include them.

Here's a link to the .swf on my website:
zanzlanz .com/MineBlocks2 .php

[Xegnma]

I couldn't get your demo to work but from the description of your problem you might try using blitting as the basis of your rendering engine instead of using the display list.

[Zanzlanz]

Thanks for the reply Xegnma,

Does "blitting" mean copying repetitive bitmap data over and over again? Is that even possible with Flash AS3?

[Xegnma]

Yes, it is. Just do a google search on 'AS3 blitting' and you should have a bunch of tutorials at your disposal.

[Zanzlanz]

Wow this can become a really useful tool. Thanks for the help!

Although I still don't see how it will save me from the dreaded lag?

EDIT: Okay I did some more research and realized that the blitting process puts all of the graphics on 1 bitmap. So yes, it will reduce the strain on Flash. It'll be a huge overhaul to make the world interactive, but I guess this will be a great addition to my game.

Thanks!