KoolMoves is flash! I'm not so flash. Help ..

[OwenAus]

Howdy,

Firstly:

Thanks for a great product. It really rocks, and seems quite easy to learn. This forum and places like KoolFaces, etc, are making the process easier.

Secondly:

I am a KoolMoves user of a few days standing, and my experience with Flash, and Flash Movies (other than watching them) is as brief. So please forgive terminology and questions.

The questions:

1: What are bones? How do you use them? I assume they connect two objects according to rules?

2: How do I grab a tween and modify it or turn it into a keyframe?

3: I assume FS (in the action area for frames) stands for Flash scripting? And is there a site where I can learn about this?

4: Is there a way to convert .fun into .fla or .swt (I think it is called) so that dynamic text can be used?

Thanks.

BTW, glad to see that KoolMoves is a living application and moving forward. I think you have a real winner on your hands, don't lose the ease of use!

:)

[Bob Hartzell]

1: What are bones? How do you use them? I assume they connect two objects according to rules?

-> The current version has a flawed implementation of bones. The next version due next week will have a better implementation. Bones provide a mechanism to manipulate shapes with many points by moving only a few points (joints of the bones). The resulting motion is determined by the structure (bones) tied to the shape. For example, to move an arm without bones would require positioning all the points of the arm. With bones, you move a few joints.

2: How do I grab a tween and modify it or turn it into a keyframe?

-> In the single step player (see Play).

3: I assume FS (in the action area for frames) stands for Flash scripting? And is there a site where I can learn about this?

-> I'll let Johnie address this.

4: Is there a way to convert .fun into .fla or .swt (I think it is called) so that dynamic text can be used?

-> No on both. Fla is proprietary and no one knows except Macromedia its format. That is my understanding. Correct me if I am wrong Johnie. I am working on exporting to .swt.

[OwenAus]

Okay. Thanks for that. :)

[BradBradleySL]

You are right Bob. FLA owns and controls the FLA and as far as I know they are the only company that owns rights to the format.

Some sites to help you out with FS commands are:
All at http://www.koolmovers.com
My favorite resource for koolmoves..lol

http://www.koolmovers.com/article.php?sid=19
http://www.koolmovers.com/article.php?sid=20
http://www.koolmovers.com/article.php?sid=23
http://www.koolmovers.com/article.php?sid=26
http://www.koolmovers.com/article.php?sid=29

Its a five part tutorial series that covers all the available scripting abilities of the current version of Koolmoves.

goodluck
Brad

[johnie]

FS actually stands for FutureShock Command (Or so that is what all the Flash 2 and 3 docs claim). FS Commands send data to the native scripting environment using either Active X or LiveConnect (JAVA).

If your SWF is in a Browser you can use VB (MSIE) or LiveConnect (Everthing else) to catch the Variables sent from the SWF. Inside of a browser this is not overly praticle since Mac Users, IE 3.0 and under, NS 6.0, NS 4.0 for the MAc and under, Most Versions of Linux NS, and any other Non NS or MS browser cannot process the FS Command. Where it is Really useful is embedding SWFS into Authorware or Your Own Custom Programs. Using FS Commands you can use the SWF as a GUI and for visual layout. This works extremly well with VB and VC++. There is also a SDK to embedd SWFS into JAVA (And there are 2 SDKS in JAVA to actually Create SWFs on the Fly.)


The Other Main Use of FS Commands is in standalone projectors. A standalone projector is the SWF attached to a small program that contains the Flash Player. The result is that SWF will play in the program with the version of Flash it was created in without the user needing the Flash plaug In. There are 5 special FS Commands that will play in a standard projector. They are Quit, FullScreen, AllowScale, ShowMenu, and Exec (There is also Save but that one is for Flash 5 projectors only). Many companies, using OLE (ACtive X), hsve expanded on the use of FS Commands and have built special functions into thier projector tools. Flash Tools, SWF Studio, Flash Ants FM Projector (Allows you to embedd non converted video formats into your projectors), Jugglor, ETC... are just some of the third market tools that expand projectors functionality. If you are making projector files then FS Commands are quite crucial.

In a web page however you are better off using the Javascript command.

[johnie]

FLA is owned by Macromedia. The Open LGX crew however has invited all SWF product Developers to add thier format as an export. OPen LGX is the "Open Source" SWF tool team. The code for Open LGX is available under a liscense simular to a GPL. The address is http://www.openlgx.org

Dynamic Text does not need a SWT. Form 2 Flash and Swift Generator can use a SWF. The problem is that we need Editable Text.

[OwenAus]

Hehe, a bit of reading and learning ahead.

I have to say this again: KoolMoves rocks.

I downloaded everything I could (including Flash5) when it became apparent I needed to start incorporating flash movies into some websites.

I had basic KoolMoves-created movies (navigation, etc) running before I had even understood the (at first overwhelming) Flash5 trial. And I can do everything I need so far in KoolMoves.

As important, the fact that people like you are giving advice and help here is awesome. KoolMoves has to have a good future.

(Now hopefully I will become good enough to put something back into the KoolMoves community.)

For all the help so far, thanks everyone.

:)

[OwenAus]

Okay, another question, this time regarding timings and tweens.

Assuming a movie contains the following sequence of events:

- movie runs to:

Frame W: Object comes to rest in a given "state".
.. couple of tweens W-X.

Frame X: Text added, so viewers get some info.
- object state same as frame W.
.. some more tweens X-Y.

Frame Y: Text removed. Object still in same state as W.
.. some tweens Y-Z.

Frame Z: Object has moved or changed state.

I am using the tweens from frame W to frame Y to create delays. I assume that this also creates data, even when the data is unchanged from a previous frame. That is, the tweens between X and Y will all look the same as key Frame X.

Is this correct, and if so, how can I create delays without increasing file size (load speed)?

Or does the flash player do the work for the tweens, that is, is the data only held for each keyframe and the rest is done on the fly by the player?.

Sorry to keep asking Qs. :)

[Bob Hartzell]

I am using the tweens from frame W to frame Y to create delays. I assume that this also creates data, even when the data is unchanged from a previous frame. That is, the tweens between X and Y will all look the same as key Frame X.

-> Tween frames are a linear interpolation between the two adjoining key frames. Increasing the tween value will create a delay. If shapes are not moving or not changing in any way, the swf file size is not increased.

Or does the flash player do the work for the tweens, that is, is the data only held for each keyframe and the rest is done on the fly by the player?

-> All the player does is render what is in the swf. Tweens are generally rendered using a morph tag which involves a ratio between the two adjoining key frames. This is cheaper than key frames which involve full specification of all point positions.

[OwenAus]

Okay, thanks for that.

I did what I should have done in the first place, and checked some file sizes. The little sample below is a few hundred bytes smaller with tweens dropped from 6 to 5.

Breaking text into a shape with points seems like a good way to add to file size. :b

You know, if 90% of surfers can view swf files, I wonder if there is any need to use HTML for anything other than forms and similar.