stage is null in document class? ActionScript 3.0 Flash CS5

Question

In my document class named Engine, the stage variable is for some reason null:

package game
{

    import flash.display.MovieClip;
    import flash.display.Stage;
    import flash.events.Event;
    public class Engine extends MovieClip
    {
        public function Engine()
        {
            trace(stage); // gives Null
        }
    }
}

This was working fine up until now. I just recently added two dynamic text fields into a symbol, and all of a sudden the stage is null. I really don't see the connection.

This is my first time using actionscript and flash, so am a bit confused at everything.

Answer 1

Ok, I have reproduced what you have been experiencing, by adding a TLF font to the stage in CS5, that must be what's causing it. But this code should solve your problem :

public function Engine():void 
{ 
     if( !this.stage ) 
         this.addEventListener( Event.ADDED_TO_STAGE, init ); 
     else 
         init(); 
} 

private function init(e:Event = null):void 
{ 
   this.removeEventListener( Event.ADDED_TO_STAGE, init ); 
   trace(stage);
 }  

My guess is that there is some delay in creating the stage in this case. I've had this happen and didn't know why, so this was the way I handled it. It works! :)