We’re happy to announce the production release of AnyChart 5.1 - the most advanced flash charting component. Version 5.1 builds on the success of the earlier 5.0 offering by adding several new chart types, new features, significant performance improvements plus new advanced dashboard features and Adobe AIR support.

New chart types: TreeMaps, HeatMaps, Funnel Charts both in 2D and 3D, Accumulation Pyramid (also known as Pyramidal Funnel) both 2D/3D, 3D Pie and  Doughnut charts.

New features: Scrolling support,  Multiple X Axes both for Categorized and Scatter plots, Markers in Legend, Interactive Labels, Multiple Data Labels Support, Multiple Data Tooltips Support, Multiple Data Markers, Context Menu Localization, Axis Markers Styling Support.

Another exciting news - Now AnyChart is fully compatible with Adobe Air ™. Build your RIA or Desktop Application utilizing the power of AnyChart Flash Charting engine. Also all chart types can now be combined within interactive dashboard: all charts, gauges, maps, funnels.

And the last, but not the least - Significant Performance Improvements. (more…)

Sometimes it is necessary to create custom preview of the component in the Flex Builder “Design” view.
It is undocumented feature
I’ve found very interesting class in the Flex SDK 3: mx.core.UIComponentGlobals.

This class contains static field designMode:Boolean.

Just check that field in your component code.
You can download example component with the source code from here:
http://anychart.com/tips_and_tricks/designMode/DesignModeComponent.zip

Also you can download the usage sample:
http://anychart.com/tips_and_tricks/designMode/DesignModeComponentSample.zip

Running in the Flex Builder “Design” mode it shows AnyChart image. But when it runs in the flash player it shows only gray rectangle.