Can't preload XML data!!

[madmath]

Hello,

I've got the following code working all fine but I have no idea how to put a preloader on it. Nothing I try works. Is it possible to do? Any help would be grately appreciated.

var xml:XML = new XML();
xml.ignoreWhite = true;
xml.load("icons.xml");

xml.onLoad = function()
{
	var nodes = this.firstChild.childNodes;
	numOfItems = nodes.length;
	for (var i=0; i<numOfItems; i++)
	{
		var t = home.attachMovie("item","item"+i,i+1);
		t.angle = i * ((Math.PI*2)/numOfItems);
		t.onEnterFrame = mover;	
		t.toolText = nodes[i].attributes.tooltip;
		t.theTitle.text = nodes[i].attributes.title;
		t.content = nodes[i].attributes.content;
		t.title = nodes[i].attributes.title;
		t.feature1 = nodes[i].attributes.feature1;
		t.feature2 = nodes[i].attributes.feature2;
		t.feature3 = nodes[i].attributes.feature3;
		t.feature4 = nodes[i].attributes.feature4;
		t.buynow = nodes[i].attributes.buynow;
		t.icon.inner.loadMovie(nodes[i].attributes.image);
		t.ref.inner.loadMovie(nodes[i].attributes.image);
		t.icon.onRollOver = over;
		t.icon.onRollOut = out;
		t.icon.onRelease = released;
	}
}

Cheers
Matt

[whispers]

you can try this:

// create a new XML document
var xml:XML = new XML();
xml.ignoreWhite = true;
xml.onLoad = function() {
    clearInterval(timer);
    var nodes = this.firstChild.childNodes;
    numOfItems = nodes.length;
    for (var i = 0; i < numOfItems; i++) {
        var t = home.attachMovie("item", "item" + i, i + 1);
        t.angle = i * ((Math.PI * 2) / numOfItems);
        t.onEnterFrame = mover;
        t.toolText = nodes[i].attributes.tooltip;
        t.theTitle.text = nodes[i].attributes.title;
        t.content = nodes[i].attributes.content;
        t.title = nodes[i].attributes.title;
        t.feature1 = nodes[i].attributes.feature1;
        t.feature2 = nodes[i].attributes.feature2;
        t.feature3 = nodes[i].attributes.feature3;
        t.feature4 = nodes[i].attributes.feature4;
        t.buynow = nodes[i].attributes.buynow;
        t.icon.inner.loadMovie(nodes[i].attributes.image);
        t.ref.inner.loadMovie(nodes[i].attributes.image);
        t.icon.onRollOver = over;
        t.icon.onRollOut = out;
        t.icon.onRelease = released;
    }
};
xml.load("icons.xml");
var xmlProgress = function (xmlObj:XML) {
    var bytesLoaded:Number = xmlObj.getBytesLoaded();
    var bytesTotal:Number = xmlObj.getBytesTotal();
    var percentLoaded:Number = Math.floor((bytesLoaded / bytesTotal) * 100);
    trace("milliseconds elapsed: " + getTimer());
    trace("bytesLoaded: " + bytesLoaded);
    trace("bytesTotal: " + bytesTotal);
    trace("percent loaded: " + percentLoaded);
    trace("---------------------------------");
};
var timer:Number = setInterval(xmlProgress, 100, xml); 

should work with your set-up..

but I think the XML needs to be fairly large or the preloader will be very quick...no?

[madmath]

Hi,
Thanks for your reply. That's a method I tried but it wouldn't work. My XML isn't very large really, it's the images that the xml is referencing that are the problem. I might be on the wrong track with the xml loading question.

Matt

[whispers]

what wouldnt work?

1.) you asked about preloading your XML... (not images)
2.) if you want to load you images use the MovieClipLoader() class...

[madmath]

Apologies for that I think I've made a mistake.
I have the image names in the xml and therefore I mistakingly assumed that loading the xml would load the images too.
I don't need to load the xml it's the images I need to load.

Thank you for your reply - I'll do some research into the MovieClipLoader() class.

Matt

[whispers]

np-

there is a link in my footer called clipLoader... it will explain how to use it..once you do it a few times.. its EASY.. and very nice to use..

[timmaggs]

Matt. Did you find a resolution to this? I find myself in the exact same position trying to load all my files in this onLoad function before I want to show them.

Tim

[whispers]

you need to load them in a place holder or something off-stage/non-visible until you are ready for it to be seen.

[timmaggs]

I think I didn't explain it all that well. I've posted my exact problem here.

http://board.flashkit.com/board/showthread.php?t=757746

If you can help me out that would be brilliant.

Tim

[madmath]

Hi Tim,

Whispers' solution was exactly what I needed and worked perfectly. Basically, I load all of the images into my holder either off screen, or under a mask and once they are all in I can bring them on nicely.
I think I understand what you're problem might be though. The XML files aren't part of the main swf preloader? I would suggest having two - one for the xml, and one for everything else.

Matt